Don’t Let the Cost-of-Living Crisis Hurt Your Health and Your Wallet

As the cost of living crisis starts to bite, many people are looking to cut down on their expenses. Unfortunately, for some, this will mean delaying dental checkups and cleans, especially if they think their teeth seem fine. However, this can be a false economy that will cost more money in the long term, resulting in longer dental visits and possibly discomfort or pain. Listed below are some reasons you shouldn’t delay that dental checkup.

Untreated Dental Problems Cost More Money to Fix

We encourage regular dental checkups so we can monitor your dental health closely and detect any changes that might require treatment, often well before you notice anything is wrong. Treating a small lesion or cavity in a tooth or the early signs of gum disease is far more cost-effective than leaving these problems to develop. They will not disappear without professional dental treatment but will only worsen, requiring more advanced and lengthier treatments that cost more.

Untreated Dental Problems Can Cause Pain

There is little worse than a severe toothache, and dental pain of any kind can feel very unpleasant and needs emergency treatment. You can also guarantee that it will never happen at a convenient time. While we make every effort to see patients in pain promptly, providing pain relief and a diagnosis, preventative dentistry can help avoid this situation. Regular checkups help us detect problems that could cause pain in the future, ensuring your mouth remains healthy and pain-free.

Untreated Dental Problems Take Time to Fix

It takes time to fix potentially complex dental problems, and sometimes multiple appointments are needed. If you need emergency care, your choice of appointment times could be limited. Taking time off work could reduce your income or eat into your holiday allowance or days off. It is far quicker to put aside an hour or so every six months for your checkup, and any follow-up appointments needed are much more likely to be shorter and can be scheduled at a time convenient for you.

Untreated Dental Problems Can Spoil Holidays or Family Events

You probably look forward to your holidays or other special events for weeks or months ahead, and dental pain can ruin these special times. It can be even worse if you are away from home and need to find an emergency dentist quickly, and the costs can be high.

Untreated Dental Problems Can Affect General Health

Numerous clinical studies have shown poor oral health, particularly advanced gum disease, can increase the risk of developing serious health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, kidney disease, stroke and obesity. If you already have health problems, gum disease could worsen them.

Prevention is Better than the Cure

The price of neglecting your dental health can be high, resulting in costly dental problems, pain and discomfort, ruined family events and lost time from work. We know many of these issues are avoidable with proper preventative dentistry, including regular checkups, cleanings, and a good home care regime. You will enjoy better oral health, a confident smile and a healthier wallet.