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Some people avoid going to the dentist because they think of dental expenses as a cost that they can avoid. However, the average dental bill is considerably less than other common household expenses that might not be completely necessary.

Coffee, alcohol and the gym

The average American spends $700 on coffee each year. Most of this comes from ordering coffee in cafes. While making coffee at home costs no more than a few cents, the same cup of joe might cost over $5 in a cafe. Similarly, the average person over 21 spends $400 each year on alcohol. Moreover, while a typical gym membership costs about $40 or $50 per month, about 70% of those go unused.

Going to your dentist, on the other hand, is absolutely essential to safeguard your oral health. Your dentist can help you to improve your oral health, find problems and deal with them before they develop, and also give you peace of mind.

Overestimating dental expenses

Many people overestimate dental expenses, or assume that they will cost more than they actually do. Wanting to minimize expenses in the short term encourages people to visit their dentist infrequently. This tendency is made worse because many healthcare plans do not include dental coverage. Yet this short-term approach to dental care is actually far more expensive over time.

The paradox of dental expenses is that they can be reduced by going to the dentist regularly. This is because of the age old principle that prevention is better than cure. Your dentist can catch problems and deal with them early on. This often saves people a lot of money that they would have to spend treating more serious issues further on down the line. For example, a cavity that could be resolved with a simple filling early on might require a root canal a few months later.

Regular check-ups are key

Regular check-ups are the key to safeguarding your oral health and also to keeping your dental bills low. If you’d like to find out more or to schedule a check up, please do not hesitate to give the friendly office staff at Southeast Family Dental a call today on 317-359-8000.