Fortunately, most toothaches can be prevented by visiting your dentist for regular check ups. Unfortunately, many people wait until they have a severe toothache before going to the dentist.
In my dental career, I have noticed that the two major reasons that most people avoid the dentist are finances and dental fears and phobias.
Finances
I have seen so many people get very angry after receiving a treatment plan for their dental work because of the high cost. The people that have an extensive treatment plan are usually the ones that haven’t visited a dentist in years.
For someone that needs a root canal and crown, they are probably looking at around $1700.00 for one tooth.
If the same person visited their dentist for regular check ups and cleanings, chances are that this problem could have been detected early and the same tooth could have possibly been filled for around $150.00.
This is not always the case, but most dental problems can be quite inexpensive if diagnosed early. Unless a cavity is filled, the decay continues to eat away at the tooth. When the decay reaches the nerve of the tooth, the only alternative is a root canal or pull the tooth.
Dental Fears and Phobias
For a lot of people, the fear of going to the dentist is so intense that they won’t even make an appointment. The end result of this is usually severe dental problems.
Dental problems do not get better and they do not go away. It usually takes a severe toothache to get this type of person into a dental office and by this time, the tooth that is aching so badly will probably need a root canal and crown to save the tooth.
I am embarrassed to admit this, but I also have a huge fear of the dentist. Lucky for me, I have discovered the secret of limiting my visits to the dentist. I will share the 3 steps of this secret with you:
- 2. Floss Daily
When you consider the alternatives, these 3 steps are simple.
Dental Check Ups Could Save Your Life
Dental check ups and cleaning are a whole lot easier than root canals and crowns and a lot less expensive. Regular check ups could also save your life by detecting any early signs of oral cancer.
My cousin’s husband died this week of oral cancer. I have another cousin on a different side of the family that is undergoing extensive radiation for oral cancer. Oral cancer is highly curable if it is diagnosed and treated early. Your dentist and hygienist are trained to screen you for oral cancer at your regular check ups.
Bottom Line
If you don’t want to pay a lot for dental work, follow the three steps above. I can’t guarantee that you won’t ever need a root canal or other major work, but the best thing you can do for your mouth is to take care of it.
Don’t think of your dentist as an “emergency room” where you will only go if you have an excruciating toothache.
