Getting The Best Basic Dental Care With The Least Expense
While each of us wants high oral health standards, there are also concerns about the high cost of procedures nowadays. Statistics indicate that each dental patient provides, on average, slightly under $900 to his or her dentist per year. The life-time costs are therefore enormous. Much of these costs are hidden in terms of group insurance, the impact of which is felt through co-payments and purchases of dental care products.
One effective way to economize is to make sure that one is getting the minimal amount of work needed for maintaining good oral health with positive long term impact. Sometimes cosmetic needs arise but can be put off until later, but other times cosmetic needs and basic dental needs go hand-in-hand in cases such as a lost tooth. Ask the dentist for a cost-benefit analysis in terms of long term oral health, and make clear that aesthetics come later.
An example of this might be the following. Suppose one is afflicted by a large cavity that has affected a large fraction of the enamel of a tooth. There may be two options. In one, the cavity is filled and a porcelain cap or metal cap covers it for further strengthening and protection. In the other, the cavity is filled and left alone. The first option is more expensive and longer-term, but the second is much less expensive and also lasts many years.
Sometimes a procedure should be avoided for scientific reasons. Discoloration or stains on teeth can be removed by teeth whitening procedures. Traditionally, a dental solution of carbamide peroxide is used to activate stains to make them removable. In recent times, lasers have been brought in to enhance breakdown and activation of stains. The most current research, however, indicates that laser whitening is a strategy that has mixed results and warrants further refinement. Unless you find the carbamide peroxide alone is ineffective, consider avoiding the more expensive laser whitening.
Dental accessories are costly over time. Consider buying toothbrushes and floss in bulk at wholesalers such as Costco and Sam’s Club rather than one at a time at a supermarket. Try to get as much use out of a toothbrush as possible but don’t sacrifice usability. Very old toothbrushes become less effective at plaque removal because of poor bristle contact with surfaces.
When shopping for fancy equipment like electric toothbrushes, you will find prices vary a lot as these items have a range of technical sophistication. Look into the long term costs as well. The motorized base of the toothbrush is a high fixed cost but lasts a long time. The replacement brushes and batteries will end up costing more, as this is the pricing strategy to maximize profit for the manufacturer. Account fully for both immediate and recurring expenses.
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