Putting off the trip to the dentist could be more painful in the long run
SEATTLE -- No one likes to go to the dentist. Some people would rather be just about anywhere else, so they put off needed care.
But Consumer Reports found in a survey of more than 50,000 readers that people who put off needed dental treatment were less satisfied with the outcome than those who bit the bullet.
"Not going to your dental appointments may lead to more extensive and more costly dental treatment in the long run," said Dr. Blanca Navarro.
If the prospect of a painful procedure makes you cringe, there's good news: The survey found that serious pain is rare.
"Only five percent of people who had a root canal said the procedure was severely painful, and only six percent of people who had a tooth pulled," said Nancy Metcalf with Consumer Reports. "So if you're worried about pain, that's really not a good reason to avoid the dentist."
But the cost of care was a top concern to some. The most frequent reason for delaying dental treatment was "the procedure was too expensive." Others worried that "insurance wouldn't cover the procedure."
"But our survey found that you can negotiate for a better price," Metcalf said. "Among our readers who tried it for costly procedures -- like an implant or a full denture -- more than half were successful at getting the price reduced."
It pays to do some research first. Websites like FairHealthConsumer.org and HealthCareBlueBook.com give the typical cost of a procedure in your area. And there are other ways to save.
"Many people don't realize that community health centers often provide dental care for fees based on your ability to pay," Metcalf said.
And it turns out, people who brush twice a day and floss every day were more likely to be happy with their smiles than those who don't.
If you're looking for a community health center that offers dental care, call your local health department to see what's available in the area. And remember, if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance program, your kids have some dental coverage, too.
More Information:
Dental care: How to keep your teeth healthy without going broke
But Consumer Reports found in a survey of more than 50,000 readers that people who put off needed dental treatment were less satisfied with the outcome than those who bit the bullet.
"Not going to your dental appointments may lead to more extensive and more costly dental treatment in the long run," said Dr. Blanca Navarro.
If the prospect of a painful procedure makes you cringe, there's good news: The survey found that serious pain is rare.
"Only five percent of people who had a root canal said the procedure was severely painful, and only six percent of people who had a tooth pulled," said Nancy Metcalf with Consumer Reports. "So if you're worried about pain, that's really not a good reason to avoid the dentist."
But the cost of care was a top concern to some. The most frequent reason for delaying dental treatment was "the procedure was too expensive." Others worried that "insurance wouldn't cover the procedure."
"But our survey found that you can negotiate for a better price," Metcalf said. "Among our readers who tried it for costly procedures -- like an implant or a full denture -- more than half were successful at getting the price reduced."
It pays to do some research first. Websites like FairHealthConsumer.org and HealthCareBlueBook.com give the typical cost of a procedure in your area. And there are other ways to save.
"Many people don't realize that community health centers often provide dental care for fees based on your ability to pay," Metcalf said.
And it turns out, people who brush twice a day and floss every day were more likely to be happy with their smiles than those who don't.
If you're looking for a community health center that offers dental care, call your local health department to see what's available in the area. And remember, if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance program, your kids have some dental coverage, too.
More Information:
Dental care: How to keep your teeth healthy without going broke
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