Inexpensive Dentists and Treatments do Exist

Apr 25
08:05

2011

Aloysius Aucoin

Aloysius Aucoin

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Dentists are expensive, but there are some bargain options to consider. Ways to save include investing in an electric toothbrush, visiting your local university, and going overseas for treatment.

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Affordable and dentists are two ideas that don’t quite work together. Even with good insurance and benefits,Inexpensive Dentists and Treatments do Exist  Articles most people will eventually find themselves with a large bill to accompany their sore mouth. So if dentists are expensive for even the middle-class, how are students, lower income individuals, and others on a restricted budget supposed to get access to basic treatments? While there aren’t many options available, there are some alternatives you can consider.
You could skip dentists altogether, and many people do. While it is not recommended, if you do plan on permanently forgoing professional care or at least for several years until you are financially able, you should invest in some quality equipment and take extra care of your teeth. Buy a good electric toothbrush and have the head replaced often. While it can be a bit expensive at first, the couple hundred dollars you spend now might help stave off gum disease and tooth loss later. Electric toothbrushes have been proven to be much more effective when cleaning teeth and gums. Floss regularly as well to prevent plaque build-up between teeth. If you notice some blood while you brush, you may already have the beginnings of gingivitis (or the bristles of the brush may be too firm). You can stop it from progressing, however, if you take some extra care and time when cleaning your teeth.
A better choice than giving up on dentists would be to check out your local university. Many have programs where wannabe dentists get experience by working on the general public at a great discount. Much like you can get a discount haircut at a beauty school. It can seem scary to put your mouth and teeth in the hands of a shaky-handed college student, but they are generally supervised and most of them are in their final years, meaning you won’t be their “first.” At the very least, you can get a great discount on a routine cleaning and check-up, while the gutsiest can get good prices on teeth removal and cavity fillings. Ask about all costs up front though, as it still can be expensive for certain procedures as well as cost of materials.
If you are seeking more extensive care and dental professionals who perform cosmetic procedures, some people take off overseas for bargains. Places like Mexico, Thailand, and India are popular destinations to receive cosmetic treatments such as veneers, implants, and teeth whitening at a fraction of the cost back at home. Even with flights and hotels, the prices can be significantly lower. Care and facilities are generally good as long as you find a reputed company. If something does go wrong, however, emergency services may not be up to standard or even unavailable in more rural areas. If you were already planning a vacation to one of these areas, then it can be a great time to look into a procedure. Otherwise, unless you need extremely extensive treatment that would cost several thousands of dollars stateside, it isn’t a very practical option.

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