Most Americans make sacrifices to be able to afford medical care. Even with “good health insurance,” medical costs often force families to go into debt to stay in good health. Even more upsetting is the fact that dental care is usually not covered in medical insurance plans, and must be paid for separately. It’s no surprise that up to 40 percent of Americans have no dental insurance coverage. In our practice, we are aware of the obstacles that might prevent you from going to the dentist. That’s why we encourage everyone to visit our office and find out how we can help you afford necessary preventive care.
Are you worried about your lack of dental insurance, Duncan OK? Dr. Matthew Bridges wants to help you get the great oral health care you deserve. Contact our staff at 580-255-4880 to learn about the ways that we make dentistry affordable.
Tell Us If You Don’t Have Insurance
At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we want to help as many families as possible. We know that health and dental care is expensive, but everyone deserves a chance at good oral health. If you do not have dental insurance, speak with our patient care coordinator and we will work with you to find a way for you and your family to get the care you need. This may involve an in-house payment plan, setting up a CareCredit account, or other creative financing solutions.
The Best Way to Save Money on Dental Care
Believe it or not, the best way to avoid expensive dental treatments is to go to the dentist. When you visit the dentist for routine preventive care, you protect yourself from developing severe conditions that can drain your bank account.
At routine six-month visits, we perform dental cleanings. These cleanings don’t just make your teeth feel clean and shiny—they also prevent the formation of cavities. When you brush and floss your teeth every day, you remove most of the plaque and food residues from your teeth. However, most people have a few spots that are harder to clean, and when plaque is not fully removed it hardens into calculus (tartar). Once calcified, plaque cannot be removed with a toothbrush and can only be removed by dental tools at your routine teeth cleanings. When you skip six-month cleanings, the tartar on your teeth sits and attracts bacteria, increasing the possibility that a cavity will develop.
When we find tartar, we remove it. When we find spots of enamel demineralization, we apply fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and prevent a cavity from developing. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the best way to avoid expensive dentistry, is to invest in your oral health with preventive visits and teeth cleanings. Early treatment is conservative treatment. The more often you visit the dentist for check-ups the less likely the possibility that you will need expensive treatments.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay at Home
Beyond visiting the dentist, there are many things you can do at home to protect your oral health. Everyone knows the importance of brushing your teeth every day, but the advice you were taught in school may be different today.
According to American Dental Association, everyone should:
• Brush the teeth twice a day.
• Brush for two minutes, each time.
• Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste (children under five should use an age appropriate toothpaste, designed for children).
• Floss the teeth every day.
Beyond the basics of daily oral hygiene, you can reduce your risk of developing cavities by:
• Avoiding sugary sodas, fruit juice, and lemonade.
• Avoiding diet sodas, which contain powerful acids that damage tooth enamel.
• Drinking plain water as your go-to beverage.
• Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Chewing sugarless gum after sugary or starchy foods to encourage saliva production and clean the teeth.
Are you worried about your lack of dental insurance, Duncan OK? We want to help you get the oral health care you deserve. Contact our staff at 580-255-4880 to learn about the ways that we make dentistry affordable.
