Dentistry is one of the wonders of modern living that we take for granted and most of us begrudge spending money on. In fact, lots of people actively avoid going to the dentist because they do not want to pay out for check-ups only to hear the dentist saying everything is fine, or even worse, check-ups where the dentist says they need to spend more money on their teeth.
At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we want to help you save money by keeping your oral health at optimal levels. And to do this, we need to see you at least twice a year for a check-up.
Avoiding check-ups can eventually lead to even more time in your Harley Street dentist’s chair and you having to spend money on expensive remedial work. According to the Oral Health Foundation, patients in the UK spend £550 million on their share of the NHS’s £2.25 billion annual dental bill.
Ironically, the best thing that you can do to avoid coming to see you Harley Street dentist, is to come and see your Harley Street dentist! If you maintain the discipline to come in for twice-yearly check-ups, you will deal with problems before they develop into emergencies.
Your Harley Street dentist uses a check-up appointment to look for decay, which they can spot a long time before you become aware of it. They can give you a minor filling to treat the decay, which if left, could develop into something that needs root canal therapy, or an extraction. Extractions, and the missing root in your jawbone, can lead all sorts of problems that can mean having to spend money on dentures or dental implants. That could set you back thousands of pounds.
Alongside a twice-yearly check-up, you also need to practise good oral health care. This involves brushing your teeth after breakfast and before bed, or better still, after every meal or snack. Flossing between your teeth and using a mouthwash also do wonders. These three actions work together to reduce the build-up of plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
Taking disciplined action at home may not mean you never have to go to the dentist in Harley Street, but you can avoid paying a fortune for general dental treatments.