What’s the Cost of Avoiding the Dentist?

*Updated January 2022

Does the cost of your dental cleanings keep you from going to the dentist regularly? The real cost of skipping the dentist may be more than you think.

If you’re steering clear of visiting the dentist, you may be impacting more than your mouth. Dental cleanings have direct ties to your overall health. Skipping them could affect everything from your head to your heart. That means it’s doubly important to brush and floss regularly and keep up with dentist appointments!

Is a fear of pain or cost of a cleaning keeping you from the dentist? Review how avoidance can lead to negative repercussions for your health and your wallet. You can also find resources for overcoming fear further below.

Avoiding the dentist impacts more than just your teeth; it can cost you more money and your health.

Brain
Harmful bacteria in your mouth can make you more susceptible to developing blood clots, increasing the chance of stroke.
What’s the Cost: The average cost of a stroke is $22,000 per hospitalization.

Heart
High levels of inflammation from periodontal disease contribute to heart conditions. Those with gum disease are twice as likely to have a heart attack.
What’s the Cost: The average cost of a heart attack is $760,000.

Lungs
Once dental plaque is in the mouth, it can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia and bronchitis. Maintaining good oral health can decrease respiratory infections.
What’s the Cost: The average cost of bronchitis is $2,000 per year.

Kidneys
The mouth is a gateway for bacteria. Poor oral health causes infections to progress faster, increasing the workload for your kidneys.
What’s the Cost: Chronic kidney disease costs between $1,700 and $12,700 per year.

Pancreas
When you’re diabetic, your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to gingivitis and other oral health problems.
What’s the Cost: Diabetes costs $16,752 per year on average.

Use Preventive Care to Lower Your Costs & Health Risks

• Most dental plans cover preventive services at 100%. You can get cleanings and X-rays at little to no cost.
• Preventive dental care is an important part of your well-being. A healthy smile is important to your overall health.
• It costs more to avoid the dentist than it does to visit for regular cleanings because of the impact poor mouth can have on overall health.

Avoiding the dentist will cost you in the long run. If you or someone you love is anxious about making that next dentist appointment, read up on our tips for easing anxiety.

If it’s the cost of a dentist appointment that keeps you from getting a cleaning, feel free to contact us today to review your Delta Dental coverage. It’s likely your benefits cover the cost of preventive treatment, like cleanings, more so than restorative treatments. That means it’s cheaper to keep your smile healthy than it is to deal with more costly and even more painful treatments for bigger problems!