What’s the Cost of Avoiding the Dentist?
*Updated May 2023
Does the cost of your biannual cleanings keep you from going to the dentist at least once a year? 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 can 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 the potential cost of a cleaning or procedure causing you to avoid the dentist? Avoidance can lead to negative repercussions for your health and your wallet.
Avoiding the dentist impacts more than just your teeth
Skipping dental appointments can lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. It can also cause many problems to other parts of your body. Check out the graphic below to learn more about the impact on overall 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.
Financial cost of avoiding the dentist
If you’re worried about the cost of dental procedures, it’s important to note that preventive checkups are generally 100% covered with dental insurance. It costs more to avoid the dentist in the long run because the risk of developing more serious conditions increases the longer you wait. Procedures such as a root canal, dental filling, and others are costly but necessary to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Attending regular appointments helps prevent serious dental problems from forming.
Regular dental appointments keep your mouth and wallet happy
Avoiding the dentist will cost you. 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. Click here to review your coverage options.
