The Price of Neglecting Your Teeth

by Kevin Smith Author

When it comes to health issues, teeth care isn't always high on the list for most Americans. That's because unless you have a tooth randomly knocked out, teeth issues usually don't happen out of the blue. They take time to develop, and when they do develop, it's after months and years of bacteria and plaque attacking your tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, the slow nature of developing cavities also means that fixing the damage isn't a quick process. Unlike an illness, which ends within a week, or a broken bone, which takes its time but is done with after a couple doctor's visits, cavity filling isn't something that is over and done within a few weeks. It takes a while to both repair the damage and ensure that your teeth and gums are well protected.

What does that mean for you? It means that neglecting your teeth for years can lead to a nasty surprise when you get the teeth filling price in St. Petersburg, FL. Here's how your costs can really add up if you don't protect your teeth!

Do the Math

Take a moment and count up all of your teeth. If you've never had one pulled, such as a wisdom tooth, you're likely to have 32 teeth once you've reached full adulthood. Now, take a moment to think about the cost of filling in each of those teeth. Even with insurance paying a large chunk of the cost for a filling, you're still looking at a cost that could be multiplied over the course of several teeth over time.

For example, if the cost of a filling is $100 per tooth and your insurance will pay 80 percent, $20 for one tooth doesn't seem like a big deal. By contrast, 10 teeth sends your price up to $200. Ouch!

Get Cleanings Done

If you've got dental insurance, getting a teeth cleaning is something you should never skip. After all, you get at least one free cleaning done per year with almost all plans, and many will give a second. That's an easy way to get rid of plaque, all without costing you a cent. If you fail to get cleanings done, you'll end up paying with more than your time: you'll find yourself paying for a filling or even a root canal down the road.

Brush And Floss

These little items aren't expensive or time-consuming, yet they save so much in the long run. If you brush responsibly, you'll only use a couple minutes a day and a few dollars a month -- and the results will be more than worth it.

When you don't take the time to take care of your teeth, you're setting yourself up for high dental repair bills down the road. The pain might not hit you or your wallet immediately, but over time, the teeth filling price in St. Petersburg, FL, that you'll pay will add up. It's much better to take a few minutes and keep your teeth sparkling!