Proper dental care has become less than affordable for many lower and middle-class Americans. Choosing a family dentist and scheduling regular checkups can actually save your family money in the long-term.
Although all parts of the human body need care and upkeep in order to work at their peak potential,
teeth require a bit more attention than most. A person’s teeth experience a great deal of wear and tear throughout his life, and though they’re designed to be permanent and function with a minimal amount of problems, teeth that are improperly cared for can cause a whole host of difficulties.
In addition to affecting a person’s overall appearance and level of attractiveness, teeth that are yellowing, broken, have cavities, or have caused gum disease have the potential to affect a person’s general health. Dental problems can cause a build up of bacteria, or even abscesses.
These conditions are not only extraordinarily painful, they can cause the bacteria to spread to the nasal cavity, throat, ears, or even enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart and lungs. Unresolved issues are not only unattractive and unpleasant, they can be downright dangerous.
Fortunately, there’s a weapon available at virtually everyone’s disposal: the family dentist. Many people avoid seeking proper treatment for themselves or their children because of the prohibitive cost of dental care. Without insurance, which many companies are cutting back on offering or even discontinuing altogether, even simple treatments like cleanings, fillings, and braces can put a family in debt.
Not to mention, problems that go ignored may require even more detailed procedures such as root canals, crowns, and bridges. These procedures are extremely costly, and also a relatively unpleasant experience for the patient. Combine these problems with the fact that nobody enjoys a trip to the dentist, and an American diet rich in sugars and high fructose corn syrup, and we have a society where more and more American children have dental issues at an early age.
It’s important to choose a family dentist not only for your kids, but for the adults in your family. Routine checkups and cleanings, combined with daily brushing and flossing, are truly the best way to make dental care more affordable. Even with limited or no dental insurance, checkups every six months can be worked into the family budget, while extractions, root canals, and crowns often cause severe financial distress.
For those with financial difficulties, programs are often available through the government to ensure access to proper care, particularly for children. No American should go without proper dental care, at home or in the dentist’s chair. Choosing a family dentist you trust is the first step toward achieving that goal.
