Our teeth are one of the most important aspects of our health. They not only boost self esteem, allowing you to take on daily challenges, but they help avoid a wide selection of health problems. Carrying for your teeth can be simple, but a lot of the time it can cost a whole lot of money. If you spend a lot of time at the dentist you may want to know a few tricks that can help you avoid some of those unsightly cost that lead you feeling remorseful after every visit. Instead of getting the full work up there’s a few ways to skip out on a lot of the costs without putting your teeth in jeopardy. These tips will not only make your visit to the dentist a lot more friendly on your budget, but won’t leave you with that lingering feeling of doom that so many get.

1. Skip X-Rays
Usually when you go to the dentist for your 6 month check-up you’re usually asked to take a few X-Rays for the dentist. These can run you quite a bit of money and are usually one of the most expensive aspects of your visit. The one thing most dentist won’t tell you is you don’t have to get the x-rays taken every single time that you visit. In fact, the FDA recently ran an investigation about the amount these x-rays are taken. This investigation ruled that a set of healthy adult teeth only need to be X-rayed every 2 to 3 years. This means you can go a total of five to six visits without having this uncomfortable and pricey procedure done. Of course, if you do have problems with your teeth you may have to have a few extra x-rays taken, but if you manage your teeth well you’ll be in good shape financially.

2. Dental Schools
If you’re on a very tight budget when your check up rolls around then you may want to opt out of your regular appointment and go to a dental school instead. Most dental schools offer an incredibly low price for work, so you may actually end up spending nothing on your check up. These dental schools will complete just about any procedure you need to be completed though, which can really work to save you a lot of money. Although you will still end up paying for most services everything is only priced at a fraction of what it would be at a regular dentist office. Make sure to call ahead to ensure you get an appointment and to ensure that the school will take your insurance. A lot of these schools will even offer you a payment plan, so make sure you work with the financial office as much as possible.

3. Keep a Routine
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to stop dental problems is to keep a routine. Every visit you have with the dentist will help you build up the best routine to maintain your teeth properly. Usually, the typical routine involves brushing at least twice a day as well as using a mouth rinse and flossing. Of course, if you have dental problems you may need to do a bit more to keep your teeth healthier. If you’re having trouble maintaining a routine then write down everything you need to do on a checklist in the bathroom. You should also always remember to never brush your teeth within an hour of eating as it could weaken enamel and make your teeth susceptible to problems. If you need to cleanse the mouth between meals try chewing gum as it will help remove food particles and keep the breath fresh. However, you should avoid sugary gums as much as possible. The more you keep your routine then less likely you’ll end up getting cavities or developing major dental problems that will have you going back to the dentist for expensive dental work.

4. Eat Healthy
The way you eat can really change the health of your teeth. In fact, eating certain foods can actually clean the teeth and ensure the entire mouth is a healthier system. There have been many studies that show test subjects that didn’t brush their teeth but lived on a steady diet of specific raw fruits and vegetables had less cavities than the test subjects that brushed frequently. Most hard fruits and vegetables are particularly good for the teeth, but you should specifically eat lots of carrots, apples and celery to help you maintain the healthy teeth you love to show off. With the healthier foods your body will naturally keep a healthier vibe that will make you feel better all around.

5. Home Remedy
Although it is a bit uncommon now, many people take to home remedies when they’re facing a budget crisis. There are many ways to help keep your teeth in good working order when you’re in a bind. Baking soda is one of the top ways to keep your teeth clean when you’re out of toothpaste. Simply add a little water on top some baking soda until you have a paste like mixture. This can be applied directly to the teeth with a toothbrush and will clean as well as a lot of the name brands today to. It has also been known to keep your teeth a little whiter than the average toothpaste. Of course, if you’re not into the taste of baking soda, there’s actually a whole lot of recipes online you can try. Choose one that consists of ingredients you already have and you’ll be set for a cheap way to clean the teeth. If you’re having tooth pains and can’t get to a dentist right away then you may want to raid the spice rack and chew on a clove. This will numb the area so you can withstand the pain until it goes away or can be addressed by a dentist.

6. Teeth Whitening
One of the most expensive procedures many people have done at the dentist office is teeth whitening. This cosmetic procedure can make you feel good about yourself, but is terribly expensive if you’re on a tight budget. There’s a lot of different whitening strips you can get at the store, but these can even run you too much money if you’re not careful. Instead of paying a fortune for whitening, you could always try inexpensive procedures at home. One common way to get the same effect is to add some lemon juice to baking soda. This will whitening the teeth while also getting them incredibly clean. Sometimes, the foods that you eat can actually produce a naturally whitening procedure. Strawberries are one of the more delicious ways to use food to get your teeth a healthy white. Some people will often use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth wash to help get rid of stains. This can be dangerous if you don’t use a low dose, so you should look for anything 5% or under when shopping. If you’re worried you could even mix the product with a little water to help get the desired effect without the bad taste.

7. Braces
Some parents go into an anxiety state when the dentist first mutters the word braces. This period of your child’s life won’t just be painful for them, but can leave you in a bad financial place. Braces can cost you thousands of dollars which makes keeping your budget in order frightening. One of the first steps you should take when you first find out about the braces is to negotiate with the insurance company as much as possible. This will probably lead to a lot of frustration and time spend on your behalf, but the more the insurance company pays the less you will have to. A lot of dentist and orthodontist will help work out a payment plan with you for whatever insurance won’t cover. Don’t be afraid to ask for lower payments as it is important to keep your budget balanced. Of course, if you do need extra help with the expenditure then you might want to look up a program to help you. One popular program is called Smiles Change Lives, but there are lots that might be able to help fund your child’s dental expenditure.

8. Cash Discount
Let’s face it, no one actually likes to play with cash anymore. Most people find it a lot easier to deal with credit or debit cards. This isn’t always a good thing for the people you give money to, as they often have to pay a fee for every card payment made to them. Before you go to the dentist you might ask the receptionist if they offer a cash discount. Many locations will as it helps them avoid many unsightly costs, so they can afford to drop the price of many procedures for those who don’t cost them extra money. You might also ask if they offer a discount for those who pay upfront, as many customers often ask to be billed for the procedure they just underwent. This gives the dentist the money straight away, which might make them more apt to help you out.

9. Coupons
When it comes to dental hygiene products, coupons can take you pretty far. There’s usually coupons for these items everywhere you look, so you won’t have to spend a whole lot of time looking for something that can help you save money. Many people often find that they can even get some of the items for free if they use the correct coupons, which is great for households that use more than one bathroom for dental care. Of course, coupons aren’t just useful when it comes to the basic things like toothpaste and floss. You can also find many coupons for your dentist, so don’t be shy about using them. You might have to go to see a new dentist in order to redeem one of the coupons, but it will be worth it for the money you’ll save. You may even find an even greater dentist than the one you had before.

10. Insurance
Although it might not seem like you’re saving money each month for your dental insurance, it will certainly feel great to have it when something comes up. For instance, if a child chips a tooth or you notice an unusual pain that needs to be take care of right away, then you’ll be happy to have a little extra coverage. A lot of the time insurance won’t pay for the full amount of the service, but the price break will certainly help you save when it comes to those large procedures. You should always make sure to shop around before you choose a dental plan though. There are so many available, but it is important to find one that fits your family’s needs as well as your budgeting information. When it comes to the dental plan even co-pay options can really leave you less burdened than paying the full amount of a procedure, so make sure you’re covered before something goes wrong.

Teeth are an important part of life, so make sure you take care of them while you still have them. There’s lot of ways you can keep them healthy without feeling forced to spend a fortune on the dental hygeine products or on procedures at the dental office. These tips should help you find a happy balance with your health and budget so you don’t have to stress over making payments on your dental care.