Sometimes you have to spend a little money to save a bigger amount down the road. You don’t want a minor problem to spiral out of control. Suddenly you can find that a problem which would have taken you a couple hundred to fix will now set you back thousands.

Inactivity can be a terrible money habit. Even though you’re not actively spending money, it can wreak havoc on your finances.

Let’s take a look at how this applies to your dental needs and how ditching your dentist might put more sting in your pocketbook than it ever would have in your mouth.

Carry Dental Insurance

If you have a job with benefits, dental insurance is probably one of them. If you have any major dental needs, like needing a crown or braces, that dental insurance can save you a lot of money up front. Many dental plans cap out after $1,000 a year. But the premiums are so low for that insurance that even one cleaning may make up for the cost of carrying insurance for the year.

With most dental plans, you can get a cleaning every six months for free. That can help your dentist spot any pending problems they may be able to reverse, like gingivitis.

If left over the long term without any treatment or regular cleanings, gingivitis could eventually lead to tooth loss. That can become super expensive if you have to buy dentures to make up for the teeth you’ve let go.

But dental insurance only benefits you if you decide to use it. If you don’t, problems can get out of control quickly. A small cavity may cost you a tooth in the long run, not to mention a lot of pain.

Having a poor set of teeth can cost you in another way too. It can hold you back in job interviews. You can be so self-conscious about bad teeth that you end up not smiling at all.

Find a Dentist You Like

Some people realize the importance of keeping up with their dental care but they don’t do it anyway. That can happen because of a busy schedule. But it can also be the result of having a phobia about dentists. Some people are deeply terrified to step foot in a dentist’s office.

If you’re scared of going to the dentist because of some bad childhood experience, you need to remember that the dentist who caused you pain is the exception rather than the rule. Dentistry has come a long way in the past couple of decades and there are ways to avoid feeling any discomfort while you’re sitting in that dental chair.

Do Your Home Care Too

While you’re at the dentist, he’ll give you instructions as to what more you can be doing to protect your dental health. You should listen to him. You’re paying for that advice so make sure you heed it.

He’ll tell you to floss daily and to brush twice a day. That’s all good advice that can give you a great return on your investment.