One of the major barriers to seeking dental treatment is cost. Here I explain three ways to cut your dental costs and achieve affordable dental treatment.
Regular dental checkups
At every checkup, I conduct a thorough check of your gums, soft tissue and teeth. I may do some tests such as measuring gum levels and taking x-rays to see areas not entirely visible in your mouth. This ensures early problems are treated before they become bigger issues.
Early decay is treated with restorative options, gum conditions are investigated with thoroughness and habits are intercepted before they cause permanent changes to the jaw requiring orthodontic treatment.
Most people visit their dentist every 6 months. You’ll find the majority of health funds allocate 6 monthly checkups and cleans into your general dental policies. Another way to save on dental costs is to look at your private health cover and see what your rebate is like. Ask alot of questions and find out what’s covered and what’s not.
Nutritious Eats & Oral Hygiene
How yummy do these acai bowl cheesecakes look? Eating right for your oral health is just as important as for your overall health. Did you know that one of the first symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies appear in the mouth? This is why I always begin my oral checkups by assessing the gums and soft tissue. These areas give us clues to any overall health problems. Being thorough in my examinations means I can pick up early signs of pathology. I have found that by getting enough water, spending time outdoors and eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables and grains, you are able to keep your oral environment nice and healthy. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks between meals also will help you avoid tooth decay. Combine this with regular oral hygiene at home and you can ward off alot of diseases and problems in the mouth such as toothaches, infections and loss of teeth. Follow these steps for optimal oral hygiene:
1 – Brush your teeth
Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Gently massage your gums to help reach the areas of the tooth nearest to the gum attachment.
2 – Floss or use a pikster
Clean between your teeth once a day. These areas cannot be reached with a toothbrush, so get to them with a piece of floss or a pikster to make sure no food sits there for long periods of time.
3 – Take specific extra care
If you suffer from dry mouth, MIH (Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation), wear dentures, have gum problems or have specific medical conditions, you may require the extra use of a mouthwash or other medicament.
Start Early
It is important to establish a relationship with a dentist you are comfortable with early on in life. I enjoy developing rapport with my patients and I enjoy my job for the reason that I can get to know people and vice versa. I have found that the reason most people avoid coming to the dentist is that they haven’t had the best dental experiences in the past. Overcoming this starts with finding someone who is gentle, patient and caring and will guide you through the best course of treatment. Finding a good dentist early on in life (as early as 2yo) will mean no negative memories or experiences are carried forward in future treatment.
If you’re unsure how to find a good dentist, here’s what I recommend you look for:
- cleanliness of the surgery and the level of infection control – this demonstrates the following of specific standards and how much they care about their patients and staff
- up to date equipment which can allow faster and painfree dental treatment, this also demonstrates how much they love their job and how willing they are to invest in their clinic
- qualifications and whether they can provide you with the treatment you need
Summary
Oral health is all about prevention. If you’re interested in cutting dental costs then focus on prevention and seeing your dentist before you’re in pain. This will equate to less financial burden in the long run.
Need a caring, affordable, family dentist?
Call Riverstone Family Dental on (02) 8678 3538 today.
…if you’re keen, here’s some extra reading 🙂
The ADA has a great fact sheet on when to see the dentist.
