Getting a dental cleaning can save you money because it’s a small cost which saves you from preventable, expensive dental problems down the road. Learn the true value of dental cleaning cost here in this article.

Since you were a kid, you’ve been told that seeing a dentist is important. You know in your heart that coming to a dentist’s office on a routine basis is your best chance at being able to keep your teeth for the rest of your life. Yet many patients still choose not to come to the office.

Why People Avoid Going to the Dentist

There are many reasons people keep away from the dentist.

• busy schedules
• rationalization that as long as one’s teeth seem okay, there’s no need for professional dental care
• dental anxiety and dental phobia about pain and discomfort
• anxiety and phobia about the bill and its financial costs

In fact, the last reason – financial costs – is often the biggest reason for most people to avoid the dentist’s office.

The thought of going to the dentist – and paying money for routine maintenance – is more than some people can handle.

It’s understandable if you feel that way.

But we want you to think about your car for a moment. 

You purchase a car hoping that it will last for as long as you want to keep it. In order to make that car last, you have to change the oil, filters, and take care of the tires on a routine basis.

You can’t neglect servicing your vehicle and expect it to run for very long. At some point, you will find yourself sitting on the side of the road with smoke coming out from under your hood. 

The same goes for your smile. You can’t neglect the care your smile, then expect your teeth to last for the rest of your life. 

Take Care of Dental Problems While They Are Small 

• Cavities Turn into Root Canals
• Gum Disease Turns into Implants
• Cosmetic Flaws Turn into Smile Makeovers

As you can see from the list above, it doesn’t take much for something small to turn into something very large. 

The truth is: You can find other areas of your life to save money. 

But you should never neglect the health of your teeth in order to save a buck. It’s just not worth it in the end. 

If you come into to our Houston office, and maintain routine dental appointments, we can catch dental problems early. And it’s definitely worth it to solve dental issues while they’re minor, instead of allowing them to turn into anything major.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure 

Benjamin Franklin is famous for this adage. We at Antoine Dental Center in Houston also support Franklin’s long term thinking approach to life.

You can take one of two approaches to dental care.

• You can keep up with your routine appointments and cleanings and deal with small problems as they come.
• Or you can only come to the dentist when you know you have a big problem on your hands.

You might think that the two average out. But they do not.

Dental Cleanings Save You Big Money In The Long Term

The cost of placing a single dental implant is roughly the same cost as 12 ½ years of semi-annual routine cleanings. 

It would be far less money to pay for routine dental cleanings and never need the dental implant. 

Getting regular dental cleanings significantly reduces your risk of needing more expensive procedures in the future. 

Plus, regular dental cleanings can also impact your overall health.

The Long List Of Dangers Of Avoiding A Dental Cleaning

1. Tooth Decay

It’s not enough to simply brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis. You need a deeper dental cleaning to stop the build up of plaque and tartar from slowly eroding the enamel on your teeth. Without dental cleanings you risk cavities, infections, and abscesses – all of which are expensive to repair.

2. Loss of Teeth

If you don’t get regular dental cleanings, you risk losing teeth – plain and simple. Plaque can lead to gum disease – which not only hurts – it can even loosen your teeth. If that happens, you’ll have to pay many thousands of dollars for dental implants.

3. Gum Disease

You never want food particles to get stuck between your teeth and gums. This leads to harmful germs which wind up attacking your gum tissue. Eventually your gums might swell, bleed, and pull away from your teeth – which leads to tooth loss and serious infections.

4. Embarrassing Teeth Stains and Discoloration

If you enjoy things like coffee, tea, wine, cherries, and cigarettes  – then you’re at risk for dark residue forming on your teeth. Dental cleanings help to ensure your teeth stay white and attractive.

5. Unappealing Bad Breath

If you don’t clean deeply between your teeth, you risk your breath becoming bad and unappealing. You might not even know you have bad breath – until honest family members or friends tell you. On top of this, bad breath is also a symptom of potential gum disease.

6. Heart Disease and Other Health Issues

Studies show a link between bad oral health and health issues like heart disease. Basically, the healthier your teeth and gums, the healthier your heart and body.  Plus heart surgery can cost as much as $350,000! Yikes!

Dental Cleaning is Worth The Cost

When you consider the dangers of not getting your teeth cleaned, you can see that dental cleanings are worth the cost.

It’s far better to pay a little money now for a deep dental cleaning in order to prevent paying tens of thousands of dollars to fix more major tooth issues – as well as prevent health issues.

Your mother always told you to brush your teeth.  We agree. Only our Houston dental experts go about cleaning your teeth in a far more effective manner than you can ever do at home.

How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned?

If you want to keep gums, teeth and overall oral health in check, The Academy of General Dentistry recommends two dental cleanings (with accompanying check ups) a year.

How Much Is It To Get My Teeth Cleaned?

The cost of a dental cleaning in Houston can vary from $59 to $1,500 which is determined by the type of cleaning you will need.

In order for a dentist to determine what type of dental cleaning someone needs, they look at the following factors:

• Gum Health – Do you have healthy gums and bone?
• Plaque & Calculus – Does the plaque and calculus prevent the doctor from doing an exam?
• Inflammation & Bleeding – Is there inflammation or bleeding present in your gums?
• Bone Loss – Is periodontal disease present?

How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost Without Insurance?

• Prophylaxis – $59.00
• Scaling in the presence of generalized, moderate to sever gingival inflammation – $150
• Full Mouth Debridement – $250
• Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning $217 per quadrant

Can dental cleaning damage teeth?

Many people falsely believe that dentals cleanings can scrape enamel off teeth.  Although a cleaning at the dentist’s office might feel like your teeth are being over-scraped, it’s simply not true. Plus, if you feel sensitivity after a dental cleaning, it’s simply a positive sign that areas of your teeth which were covered by plaque and calculus are now healthfully exposed. In fact, after a dental cleaning you’ll probably enjoy running your tongue over your teeth, because they’ll feel so clean, smooth, nice!

Does teeth cleaning hurt?

If you haven’t been to the office in a while, this teeth cleaning process can feel tedious, stressful and maybe a tad uncomfortable. But no worries. We offer many helpful ways to help ensure the dental cleaning is as comfortable possible. Our caring, gentle dental hygienists will always offer you TV, blankets, music and/or some light sedation if you want it. Best of all, once the dental cleaning is complete, you will feel like a whole new person!

What is included in dental cleaning?

• tooth scaling
• tooth polishing
• debridement if you have too much tartar

Is it good to get your teeth cleaned?

• The short answer: Yes.
• The longer answer: Absolutely, positively, yes!

What Happens at a Dental Cleaning and Exam Appointment

Maybe it’s been awhile since you have been to the dentist. You’re unsure of what to expect. We understand your discomfort. So let’s take a moment to discuss what will happen when to the dentist’s office for your next dental cleaning and exam.

1. You Get Dental X-rays

The first thing we will do is take fresh dental X-rays of your jaw. This will show us where your teeth and bone are and whether or not there is any damage under the surface of your gums. Dental X-rays can also show cavities between teeth that are unseen with any of our other dental instruments. Plus, we will also check for signs of infection or oral cancer.

2. You Get The Dental Cleaning Itself

Once we have taken the Dental X-rays, we will proceed with your dental cleaning. One of our talented and gentle dental hygienists will remove the buildup of plaque and tartar from your teeth.

3. You Get A Full Dental Exam

Now that your teeth are clean and your images are taken, one of our doctors will come and speak with you about your smile. We will let you know how we feel we can help you to keep your teeth their healthiest and your smile the most appealing. Plus, we’ll ask what you would like to see happen for your smile. If any additional dental work is needed, this is when we will discuss that with you.

Get Started with Your Next Appointment

Take our advice: don’t neglect your teeth. Find other areas of your life to save money, but never neglect the health of your teeth in order to save a buck. It’s just not worth it in the end. If you are ready to get back to a pattern of semi-annual cleanings and exams, give us a call. We are ready and waiting to help you have a happier, healthier smile. We can’t wait to hear from you, so contact us today!