How Inflation Affects Affording Dental Care

Keeping regular dental appointments is key to maintaining a healthy mouth. But as you see post-pandemic inflation cranking up costs on everyday expenses such as your grocery bill, the amount of money Americans spend on dental care is also on the rise. 

According to the American Dental Association, private dental insurance spending increased by 11%, while out-of-pocket spending on dental care rose 13% between 2020 and 2021.

Preventative dental care works because consistent dental appointments help dentists catch problems before they fully develop. But each visit to the dentist costs money, and if bills are already tight, a dental checkup is easily pushed to the back burner. 

What percent of Americans can't afford dental care? Even before the pandemic in 2019, over 15% of Americans did not receive dental care because of the cost.

Whether or not you have dental insurance can make a big difference in how often you get your mouth in front of a dentist. In 2021, over 80% of those with dental insurance saw their dentist within the year. At the same time, only 55% of patients without dental insurance schedule an appointment with their dentist. 

When money concerns are at the forefront of your mind, and there is no pain in your mouth, putting off going to the dentist may seem like a good choice. But unfortunately, delaying dental care can lead to painful or permanent damage to your teeth and gums and could cost you more in the long run. 

While brushing your teeth twice a day and remembering to floss helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, getting in front of a dentist at least once a year is crucial to keeping your mouth healthy. If you do not go to the dentist for regular dental check-ups or even ignore evidence that your oral health is suffering, the dental problems will only worsen, not improve, with time. 

Tooth decay, cavities, or caries all refer to the same condition in your teeth. If you forget to brush your teeth, you may feel a filmy substance as you run your tongue over your teeth. This bumpy, sticky film is called plaque. Bacteria in plaque break down sugars from the foods you eat into an acid that damages the enamel of your teeth. If the plaque is not brushed away, it becomes hard, protecting the bacteria so they can further eat away at the enamel, causing a hole or cavity in the tooth. 

If a cavity is not caught early, it will get bigger and deeper. A cavity could lead to a more involved dental procedure, such as a root canal, if ignored. 

Another consequence of allowing plaque to build up around the base of your teeth is that it can lead to periodontal disease. When plaque hardens, it is called calculus, and it can build up around your gums and even under your gum line, near the root of the tooth. 

Gingivitis is a precursor to a more serious form of gum disease, called periodontitis, that can cause your gums to bleed, pull away from the teeth, and, eventually, lead to tooth and bone loss. 

If severe gum disease goes untreated, it can even affect more than just your oral health. As the bacteria and plaque harm your teeth and gums, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream, leading to complications with your heart, such as arrhythmia and heart disease. 

What is the true cost of skipping regular dental care? Just like delayed medical care can worsen a condition, your oral health needs to be addressed swiftly to prevent more serious issues. Delaying dental care costs you your oral health. 

Avoiding dental care leads to more severe and costly problems for your oral and overall health. While inflation continues to make stretching your dollar harder, some options exist to help address concerns about paying for dental care. So, what are a patient’s financial options to reduce the cost of dental care?

Many people get their dental insurance through their employment. If you currently do not have dental insurance, check to see if your employer offers a dental insurance option. If so, you can get a much better group rate for basic dental needs. 

By opening up an HSA, you can save money for medical and dental needs before taxes. An HSA also benefits you by lowering the costs of your copayment, deductible, and coinsurance. You can open this account through your employer, a health insurance company, or a bank or other financial institution. 

Whether or not you have dental insurance, paying for dental care can still be taxing. Copays and other out-of-pocket costs quickly add up. For insured and uninsured patients, financing dental care can be an excellent option. Dental services like Smile Generation can connect you with the best dentist for you and your family, as well as with financing options that break large dental bills down to affordable monthly payments.

Smile Generation Financing offers options such as:

• Smile Generation Financial Credit Card: This card can be used for dental expenses at any Smile Generation-trusted locations. You can avoid any interest payments if you pay the balance in full before each month's due date. 
• ScratchPay: This is a payment plan specifically for medical or dental expenses. You can choose the frequency of payments so that it is affordable and predictable. 
• In-house Payment Plan: After making an initial payment to a dental office upfront, patients will pay the rest of their balance through recurring credit or debit card payments. 

There are a couple of things to consider before deciding to finance your dental care. When applying for financing, there is a soft credit check that won't negatively affect your score. But your credit score could determine whether you get the financing you seek or the amount you are qualified to receive. 

You will also want to consider the interest rates and if you can make the payments on time each month. Interest can rack up quickly if you are not paying attention to payment due dates. 

Financing is an excellent way to pay for the treatments that keep your mouth healthy if you can stay on top of the payments. Other affordable dental care options exist if you do not want to go down the road of financing.

These dental plans include a predictable annual payment based on how many people are in your household and the benefit of discounted rates on dental services. Through the Smile Generation Dental Plan, you can get discounts between 20-50% off of services you need to keep your mouth healthy. 

In some cases, Medicaid can also cover dental benefits for qualifying individuals and families. However, Medicaid primarily covers health care benefits more often than dental needs. 

Additionally, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS) provides financial assistance for children who qualify for medical benefits, and it also includes dental benefits most of the time.

If you are searching for a dentist offering affordable options to pay for dental care, Smile Generation can connect you with the best dentist for you and your family. While inflation continues to affect many everyday expenses, do not let your oral health suffer because of the cost of dental care. With multiple options available, your mouth can get the care it needs without breaking the bank.