What’s your excuse for avoiding the dentist? Is it because of cost or lack of insurance coverage? Maybe you see no need, or it could be fear that’s keeping you from getting your pearly whites examined.
You can probably come up with a hundred ways to dodge the drilling sounds and poking and prodding of the often-dreaded dentist visit, but there’s an equally long list of reasons why you shouldn’t.
In addition to practicing good oral care with daily brushing and flossing, routine dental visits are necessary to the health of your teeth and overall well-being.
Excuses, Excuses
While Americans recognize oral health as an important aspect of their overall health, dentists top the list of doctors that they do not see as often as they would like. It’s as easy as picking up the phone and penciling in a date, but many still find a reason to avoid making the call.
Convenience
No one wants to trade vacation time for the dentist. A lot of dental offices offer days with early morning and/or night hours. If your appointment(s) continue to clash with your job, work out a plan with your boss.
Fear
Whether you are holding onto trauma from childhood, scarred from a bad dental experience or you don’t like doctor’s offices, neglecting your teeth over time could cause a lot more pain and suffering.
Now more than ever, health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic may be scaring you from going to the dentist. But there is no need to fear; dental offices are taking all necessary precautions to keep their practices safe and sanitary, such as minimizing the number of people in the waiting room, installing physical barriers, providing hand sanitizing stations, wearing PPE and frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces after each patient.
For those with dental anxiety, it helps to find a dentist that you like, that you can trust and that makes you feel comfortable. For more severe cases, sedation dentistry might be a solution.
Need to Go to the Dentist?
Chewsi can help you save 24% on average. No monthly fees. Referral code AAANE.
Insurance
Considering the high prices of dental procedures, it’s understandable why those without insurance would want to avoid their yearly visit. But research conducted by the American Dental Association shows that 5% of privately insured adults still do not have plans to get their teeth checked and 10% are unsure.
If you have private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, find a doctor within your network to get the most out of your coverage.
If you do not have dental insurance because you lost your job, you are retired or work part time, no worries. You can use Chewsi to save on the dental care you need. And, unlike insurance, there are no waiting periods, service limits or excluded services.
Discount dental plans ask you to pay a monthly or annual fee to save on care. But a pay-as-you-go model like the Chewsi app means no commitment to ongoing fees and no contracts to sign. No limits and no exclusions mean instant affordability for expensive dental care like dentures, crowns and implants. And because anyone can use the app, you can help your parents and your adult children save on the care they need, too.
The Chewsi app is free to download, with no monthly or annual fees. Just bring your smartphone to the dentist and get ready to save an average of 24% on the dental care you need.
Cost
Maybe you are just scared of the bill.
Most of the reasons that keep people from going to the dentist – like the anxiety of what they’ll find and the complicated and expensive procedures that may follow – can be largely sidestepped by getting started on a dental checkup schedule.
The ADA encourages regular dentist visits “because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. They also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place.”
The longer you wait to go to the dentist, the higher your bill is likely to be. Consistent cleanings prevent cavities, which can prevent root canals, and so on.
Why Go?
Benjamin Franklin got it right when he said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Granted, he was not talking about going to the dentist.)
Dental checkups and professional cleanings are encouraged at least once a year and every six months is even better. But “there is no one-size-fits all dental treatment,” says the ADA. “You are a unique individual with a unique smile and unique needs when it comes to keeping your smile healthy.”
But it’s not just about your teeth. In fact, even if you don’t have any teeth you should still see the dentist regularly. The Mayo Clinic describes the mouth as a window to your overall health. An oral exam can help to spot symptoms of other diseases or medical conditions such as diabetes, HIV, thyroid problems, iron deficiency and certain cancers.
Furthermore, studies have shown ties between gum disease, tooth loss and poor dental health and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular issues.
Expectant mothers – 60% to 75% of which have gingivitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – should be especially vigilant about dental care. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that gum disease left untreated in pregnant women may be linked to low birth weight and preterm births. Moms can also unintentionally pass cavity-causing bacteria to newborns, increasing their risk for tooth decay.
So, clip on that bib, open those chompers and let the dentist in.
Save on All Dental Care
Even if you have insurance, your plan may not offer full coverage for every procedure or cover services that are considered non-essential like teeth whitening or invisible aligners.
Chewsi offers discounted prices on any dental service you need or want. It isn’t insurance, so there aren’t any premiums or monthly fees. It can be used to complement your existing benefit plan or can help to lower the cost if you have none.
The Chewsi app is free to download and simple to use. Once you register, you can search for a specific dentist or procedure affordable for your budget, call to set up an appointment and pay directly through the app.
No dental service is excluded from savings. Use Chewsi to save an average of 24% on:
- Dental cleanings and exams.
- Dentures.
- Implants.
- X-rays.
- Fillings.
- Crowns.
- Periodontal (gum) care.
- Cosmetic care.
- Braces and invisible aligners (even for adults!).
And, you’ll never need a pre-authorization for any service.
So Easy to Use
Ready to get started? Download the free Chewsi app and register with the AAANE member referral code, create your account and you’re ready to start saving at the dentist. It’s easy.
- Find a Chewsi dentist and call for an appointment.
- Bring your smartphone to your appointment.
- Use the Chewsi app to pay and see your savings immediately.
Find your Chewsi dentist today.
Learn More About Chewsi
Watch videos to see how Chewsi works or email the customer service team with any questions.
It’s time to get your best smile. No more excuses.
Related Articles
Trending Articles
NEWEST ARTICLES
2 Thoughts on “Why You Should Stop Avoiding the Dentist”
Leave A Comment
Comments are subject to moderation and may or may not be published at the editor’s discretion. Only comments that are relevant to the article and add value to the Your AAA community will be considered. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.
I understand that only about 30% of eligible Americans routinely visit a dentist. I have asked my regular dentist and an oral surgeon who I see infrequently, thank God, about their business plan especially as it relates to increasing the number of patients. Silence is the usual result. One major reason for such a small number of patients is the cost without insurance and even with insurance. Dental insurance does not cover much of dental cost, period. If you don’t get it from your employer, I expect few people purchase it on their own. All of this results in dental cost that is outrageous at the very least. Since we are frequently told that poor dental health can result in far more serious health challenges to the rest of our bodies, I suggest that those who design Medicare might examine the possibility of including dental coverage in the program as a means of reducing he cost of dental related illness, encouraging more people to see dentists and thus reduce the cost of other illnesses for which Medicare is responsible.
Hi Richard, thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment. -MP