Should You Get Dental Insurance? It's Actually Easy and Affordable

By Andrew Hickey on Apr 12, 2023 @ 11:00 AM

Did you know that smiling can “trick” your brain into happiness? Moreover, you can trick yourself into good health by simply showing off your pearly whites. Though studies to confirm this may still be limited, smiling often and being happy have an uplifting impact. Knowing this should give you plenty of reason to aim for a perfect smile. However, statistics say that 1 in 4 Americans have untreated tooth decay.

If you want to smile confidently and haven’t been to the dentist in some time, you will likely need dental work, which costs money. Knowing that good dental health results in improved appearance and mood, it's a good time to ask if you should get dental insurance.

Key Takeaways:

A bright, healthy smile can positively impact you and those around you.
Poor oral health can lead to other health issues like cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth complications, diabetes, HIV, and osteoporosis.
Having dental insurance saves on cost and wait times.
There are plenty of options to match your budget and needs.

You can enjoy life with a smile much more if you have a shiny set of teeth. A healthy smile accentuates your face and body, as oral health has been linked to overall health. Perhaps you need help to get porcelain white teeth with veneers. Though this procedure is cosmetic, it would still be nice to have the option. With dental insurance, you don’t have to limit yourself. Whether you require deep cleaning, restorative work, or possibly braces (pending plan approval), you have choices, and you can save money.

Still, you may have a lot of questions like:

Which dental insurance is right for people who need dental work or have teeth issues?

Should I get dental insurance even if I have excellent oral health and hygiene?

Does dental insurance cover all dental work or the total cost of specific treatments?

Here, we will look at all of these questions and more, helping you discover if dental insurance is a worthy investment for you. You’ll also learn who should get dental insurance and what type of coverage would benefit you and your family. Finally, you’ll learn how dental insurance works, what it covers, how much it costs, and how it can help you save money.

Why Should People Get Dental Insurance?

A set of pearly whites can make one’s face shine like the morning sun. Keeping that smile is easier said than done though. Even if you have an impressive set of teeth, everyone is vulnerable to oral disease without proper care.

Should you get dental insurance you will have more reason to go to the dentist and stay up on your oral health. By keeping a routine at home and having regular checkups you can improve your smile and wellbeing in many ways, including:

1. Preventing cavities and decay: Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria that feed on what you eat. These bacteria produce acid that breaks down the enamel on your tooth. Plaque builds up, and cavities appear once the enamel weakens because of the acid. Cavities are among the most common dental health issues that may cause tooth decay, spreading abscesses under the gums and other body parts. There are instances where severe dental infections lead to fatal consequences.

2. Holding off gum disease: There are cases where bacteria may cause an infection of the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. Not treating the inflammation of the gums may worsen your dental condition over time.

Lowering the risk of oral cancer: Studies have shown a possible link in the increased risk of oral cancer in people with poor dental health. Though these studies are still in their initial stages, more findings show the possible link between tooth loss and specific kinds of cancer. Having good dental health will lessen the onset of tooth decay and tooth loss.

Aside from the health benefits, having healthy teeth can increase morale, make you more engaged with other people, and cause you to smile more often.

Understanding the cost-effectiveness of dental insurance:

One reason people choose not to get dental insurance is the perceived cost. Some see insurance as a costly commitment they can live without. Here are more of the most common reasons people delay getting dental insurance:

They’ll just go to the dentist when needed and pay out of pocket.
Their teeth are still healthy, so there’s no need to spend on insurance.
They can maintain their oral hygiene even without the help of a dentist.

What types of dental insurance plans are there?

Anyone wanting healthy teeth can more easily consider signing up for a dental plan when they have more information about their options. With that in mind, here is a look at the types of dental plans offered by Solstice and most dental insurance companies:

DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization): Since you pre-pay your dental benefits through premiums and copayments, you can lessen your dental wait time for appointments and services.

DPPO (Dental Preferred Provider Organization): Through this plan type, you can have an agreed fee for services done by in-network dentists.

DMPO (Discount Dental Plan): This is a more affordable alternative to conventional dental insurance plans. You can get access to a vast network of dentists offering services with discounted fees. Though it is not insurance, you can use a DMPO on top of an existing dental insurance plan to get more discounts and save money.
Fee-For-Service Plans: You can select any dental service provider without needing to be assigned to a specific dentist. This helps decrease the waiting time for seeing a dentist.

How can dental insurance help you save money?

Dental plans present several options depending on your needs and budget: Many dental insurance packages exist, so you should take time to choose the right one. You don’t have to buy all the riders; just focus on your needs. Dental plans can cost less compared to the typical fees involving dental work without insurance, which can vary between clinics.

Insurance is helpful during an emergency: You never know when you’ll need dental care. You can suddenly have tooth problems that require urgent attention. And you might need more than one dental procedure, which costs money. Paying the full fees upfront can be stressful.

Insurance is helpful when you can’t pay upfront: People with limited income might have difficulty paying for dental work upfront. Having a dental plan can help you manage this burden, allowing you to budget and plan.

As you can see, there are many practical reasons for having a dental insurance plan. You can keep your oral health at its best by choosing the right insurance plan to fit your needs and budget. It also doesn’t hurt that you will be able to enjoy a bright, eye-catching smile.