Everyone loves getting a tax refund, but it can be difficult to find a way to spend it wisely. While it might be tempting to blow it all on a fancy luxury like a new sofa or the latest television set, spending your refund at your dentist’s office can help prevent painful dental emergencies and the need for expensive restorative treatments later. Here’s a breakdown of how investing in your oral health is a smart move for your finances and your quality of life.
Preserving Your Oral Health Saves Money
Many people out there stubbornly refuse to see a dentist until their teeth start to hurt, claiming that skipping routine dental appointments saves them time and money. This is no different than saying that you won’t start exercising until after you have a heart attack. Regular dental appointments give your teeth a chance to be professionally cleaned to remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach places and monitored so that any problems can be caught and addressed in their early stages. This allows you to avoid the need for expensive restorative treatments like root canals later.
Receiving restorative treatments and appliances such as root canals, dental crowns, bridges, and dentures can be quite time-consuming, meaning that they may cause you to miss work or school. When you factor in the time and money that goes into treating preventable oral conditions, the consequences of neglecting your oral care can be quite costly.
A Healthier Mouth Makes for a Happy Life
Dental emergencies and oral infections aren’t just expensive to treat; they’re also downright painful. Many people can tell you about the sudden and miserable pain that comes with a toothache, and this discomfort won’t go away until it has been adequately treated or the infection has caused nerve damage in the tooth. Advanced gum disease can cause tooth loss and recession of the gumline, which can make a person much shier about shooting a friendly smile at others, leading to difficulties in the professional world and the social scene.
Investing in your oral health is a sound financial decision. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to tell you which treatments you need to achieve a healthier smile.
About the Author
Dr. Brent Whittaker earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has completed numerous continuing education courses to expand his skillset. He is also proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Marion, OH offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment, contact his office online or dial (740) 725-8000.