Dental Care for People Without Insurance

Good dental care is important to your overall health. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology shows a link between healthy teeth and gums and good heart health. People with gum disease have an increased risk of developing thicker arteries, which can lead to heart problems later in life. Even if you don't have access to dental insurance, it's important to find ways to maintain your dental health.

Dental Care at Home

• A healthy mouth starts at home. You can take four simple steps to improve the health of your mouth. First, limit your intake of sodas and sugary, processed foods. Second, brush your teeth twice each day and change your toothbrush once a month. You should brush in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bed. Third, and possibly most important, floss once a day. Flossing is the best way to keep your gums healthy and to prevent cavities from forming between your teeth. Finally, swish with an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. These mouthwashes help to kill bacteria in your mouth that promote cavities.

Dental Maintenance Plan

• Standard dental care involves two visits to the dentist each year for a cleaning and examination. At one of the two visits, the dentist will take X-rays and check your root structure for developing problems. Because you can expect the expenses associated with these visits, you can set up a plan to pay for them. Call around to local dentist offices and ask for quotes for cleanings, exams, and X-rays. Find the most affordable dentist, then begin a monthly dental savings plan. This can be as simple as an envelope in your desk drawer that you add a set amount of money to each month that you'll use to pay for routine dental care.

Dental Discount Plans

• While you might not be able to afford dental insurance, you should check out dental discount plans. These membership groups have relationships with specific dentists. As a member, when you visit a participating dentist you will receive discounts on most procedures. This can help cut costs for higher-priced procedures like fillings or root canals.

Find Assistance

• The federal government offers funding to dentist's offices all over the country to provide discounted services to lower income families. You can locate participating offices through the Health and Human Services locator website. Find a link in Resources.

  These dental offices will review your income and set their fees based on a sliding scale to help accommodate your needs and budget.