Why Some People Avoid Going to the Dentist

Along with regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, going to the dentist for a bi-annual exam and cleaning are the most important things you can do to maintain good oral health. These preventive measures will ensure that you are doing everything you can to ward off the harmful effects of tooth decay and gum disease. Still, many people avoid going to the dentist for a variety of reasons.

The economy is a big reason why some people do not go to the dentist. When the financial crisis of 2008 struck, many people were left with less disposable income and even worse insurance coverage. People tend to make certain sacrifices when this is the case, and not going to the dentist is many times one of those sacrifices. The poor economy can cause a person to decide that dental insurance is simply not worth it. Even for people with insurance, there are many dental procedures that are not covered by insurance. However, the mentality that not going to the dentist will save you money is one that is penny wise and dollar foolish. Preventive measures can help dentists to catch issues with your oral health before they become full-blown problems. For instance, getting a cavity filled is much cheaper in the long run than needing a root canal procedure later in the future.

Some other reasons that are commonly given for not going to the dentist are being a single parent, not having the time and dental phobias. While not going to the dentist may seem as though you are saving time and money, you may actually be creating more expenses for yourself down the road. You do not want to have to call our emergency dentist in Los Angeles and pay more, when you could have just gone to the dentist for a routine checkup in the first place.

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