Affordable Dental Care Options
For people with severe financial limitations, taking care of a dental problem or going to a dentist for preventive care may be low on their list of priorities.
about the consequence, i think it is necessary to talk about it. Poor oral hygiene invites plaque to accumulate around the base of your teeth and gum line, causing your gums to become red and inflamed.
"Plaque is the bacteria-laden film that, if allowed to accumulate on teeth and gums, will cause tooth decay and gum disease," Price explains.
If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of empty spaces around your teeth. These spaces could eventually lead to the destruction of bone and other fragile tissues supporting your teeth, and you could lose your teeth.
The good news is that being diligent about your dental health care and getting regular dental checkups can prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early gum disease. "A plaque-free mouth is a healthy mouth,” says Price. Along with regular dental checkups, “proper bushing and flossing are the only effective ways I know of preventing plaque buildup.”
Options To Consider:
Dental schools. Many dental schools sponsor patient clinics and offer quality dental care at reduced cost. Visit the American Dental Association Web site, ada.org, for a list of dental schools to see whether there is a dental school clinic in your area, or ask at a local community health center.
Assistance plans. Use the American Dental Association Web site or a community health center to contact your state's dental society about assistance in paying for dental care for persons in need. The assistance programs vary from state to state, and some states may offer special programs to help pay for dental care for children. Also, some dentists and dental schools participate in community outreach programs to provide free or low-cost dental care to people who are uninsured.
Shop around. You can evaluate the overall cost of dental care by figuring out the cost of getting to the dentist and the convenience of the office hours.