The cost of avoiding the dentist

What’s the Cost of Avoiding the Dentist?

March 10, 2020

Updated April 27, 2023

Does the cost of your biannual cleanings keep you from going to the dentist twice a year? The real cost of skipping the dentist may be more than you think.

If you’re steering clear of visiting the dentist, you may be impacting more than your mouth. 

Dental cleanings have direct ties to your overall health. Skipping them could affect everything from your head to your heart. That means it’s doubly important to brush and floss regularly and keep up with dentist appointments!

Is the potential cost of a cleaning or procedure causing you to avoid the dentist? Learn more about how avoidance can lead to negative repercussions for your health and your wallet.

Avoiding the dentist impacts more than just your teeth

Skipping dental appointments can lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. It can also cause many problems to other parts of your body. Check out the graphic below to learn more about the impact on overall health:

Financial cost of avoiding the dentist

If you’re worried about the cost of dental procedures, it’s important to note that preventive checkups are generally 100 percent covered with dental insurance. It costs more to avoid the dentist in the long run because the risk of developing more serious conditions increases the longer you wait. Procedures such as a root canal, dental filling, and others are costly but necessary to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Attending regular appointments helps prevent serious dental problems from forming.

Regular dental appointments keep your mouth and wallet happy

Avoiding the dentist will cost you. If you or someone you love is anxious about making that next dentist appointment, read up on our tips for easing anxiety.

If it’s the cost of a dentist appointment that keeps you from getting a cleaning, feel free to contact us today to review your Delta Dental coverage. It’s likely your benefits cover the cost of preventive treatment, like cleanings, more so than restorative treatments. That means it’s cheaper to keep your smile healthy than it is to deal with more costly and even more painful treatments for bigger problems!

Click here to review your coverage options.