Going to the dentist is something most people try to avoid. That’s normal, since it’s painful, both physically and for the pocket. Although we must recognize that the interventions of today’s dentists have improved a lot, and it is now possible to receive most of the treatments that are painful. Certainly, many treatments are still uncomfortable, but healthy teeth and a healthy mouth are of great importance not only to maintain a radiant and youthful image, but also, and most importantly, to maintain good health.
But what about money? The dentist is usually considered one of the most expensive medical specialists, and he doesn’t have this reputation for no reason. Actually, most of the interventions by dentists can be very expensive, although it must be said that if we want to be treated by a good professional, these treatments are worth every penny they cost, and that normally the cheap is expensive. And of course, health is not something to be trifled with. Even so, all is not lost, there are ways to save money on the dentist’s bill, continue with us and we will explain some of them to you.
8 ways to save at the dentist
1. Elaborate a tax deduction
In many countries it is possible to get a tax deduction for medical bills, including dental bills. Of course, most of these countries set certain conditions regarding income level or the type of treatment you have undergone. For example, no country applies tax deductions for cosmetic dental treatment, but countries like Mexico or the USA can pay you a deduction if the treatment was necessary, even if you used the best dentist in Tijuana (with Tijuana dentist prices). Russia is also one of the countries that applies this type of bonus, and in Spain you have to consult it by autonomous community, since they are the ones that have the health competences transferred.
Consult the tax relief offered by your country for medical bills, you may be surprised and realize that you have been losing money for too many years because of ignorance of your rights.
2. Compare prices at various clinics
The cost of medical services depends not only on the materials for treatment and the doctor’s qualifications, but also on the location of the clinic, advertising, popularity, etc. It is very likely that the cost of services in the center of the city is higher than in the outskirts. You may find it convenient to arrange a short vacation in a town where you can find a dentist with good references and cheap. In this way you can save on the dentist’s bill and at the same time make your family, or your girlfriend, or your boyfriend, happy, or you can go with your friends… that’s really the least of it, it’s even more fashionable to travel alone. You’ll have your smile ready for Instagram photos for a lot less than you thought. As you can see, it’s all advantages.
Search the internet for well-reviewed dentists in the towns you want to visit, and compare prices. If you’re going to do some food tourism, take into account the type of treatment you’ll be getting, to decide whether you should make an appointment at the beginning or end of your little vacation.
3. Do not delay your visit to the dentist
Go to the dentist at the slightest sign that something is not right in your mouth. Pain in a tooth, inflammation, bleeding gums, discomfort with hot or cold drinks… all these things are warnings that something is not working, and if you don’t attend to them in time, the disease may get worse. Why not, it never gets better or disappears. Unfortunately, oral problems always get worse, sometimes slowly, but when we want to realize, the pain and the bill are much higher than we are willing to endure.
It is important to stop and treat the discomfort in time, that will mean a much less expensive bill and also the great advantage of not having to live with discomfort for a long time and with intense pain that makes us run to the first dental clinic we find later. And it will be expensive, much more expensive. Don’t do it.
4. Take care of your teeth
It seems obvious, doesn’t it? Well, even so, many people don’t seem to understand it until it’s too late. Oral hygiene is the basis of good health, and it’s not enough to brush badly every day, although some people don’t even do that. Look at what you eat, try to avoid refined sugars, brush your teeth thoroughly after meals, floss, find the best mouthwash for you… It’s really not that hard, you just have to make a habit of it and you’ll see that in no time you’ll even notice how you need it. Remember that once we are adults, if we lose our teeth, we no longer have any spare ones.
5. Take advantage of the promotions
Private dentists are adopting the methods of large companies. To attract customers, they use promotions, during which some services can be obtained at a discount. This often extends to professional cleaning and caries treatment. You can find offers on coupon sites or dental sites. Sometimes you can also get these offers if you subscribe to their newsletters on dental clinic websites.
6. Check out the doctor’s recommendations
Dentists can offer you additional services. Don’t settle for them right away. It is better to get advice from other sources, such as a family doctor. There are many treatments that are purely aesthetic, or that can be substituted by other cheaper but equally effective treatments. Either way, you probably don’t need the more expensive treatment from the dental clinic. For example, if you have to wear braces, they may want to sell you the most expensive option, which are the invisible ones, but you can always opt for the traditional ones, which by the way, in countries like China, are considered somewhat cool, and they even sell ‘fake braces’ to pretend they are wearing them. Yes, the world is crazy…
7. Go to the dentist every six months
The sooner the doctor finds the problem, the cheaper it will be to solve it. At an early stage of the cavity, a small filling is sufficient. If tooth decay develops, a large filling, restoration, or tooth extraction may be required. Some clinics offer free dental checkups and consultations. Take advantage of this.
8. Pay the dentist with a card
Some debit cards return 1% of the amount paid to the owner; for credit cards, the refund can be 2%. These are small percentages, but many few do a lot. With this money you can buy a lot of toothpaste and a good toothbrush.