For many people, cost is the biggest factor influencing whether or not they should see a dentist.

With very few new NHS appointments available, and some private dental practices charging significant amounts for mere check-ups, find out how to save money on dental treatment with our tips below.

Don’t skip the hygienist

Hygienists are your weapon against developing gum disease as they remove plaque and tartar from your gum line.

It might be tempting to try and get rid of this unpleasant sticky and tooth-staining substance yourself at home, but we urge you not to (we’ve seen some pretty nasty scenarios involving sharp objects when patients have attempted this at home and then come in to see us to fix the damage).

Less plaque means you’re significantly less at risk of developing gum disease, and ultimately, losing your teeth and having to get them replaced.

Avoid the cost of getting dentures, a bridge or dental implants by spending little and often on your hygienist visits vs thousands of pounds on tooth replacement treatment.

0% finance

If you do find yourself needing restorative treatment to address anything from tooth loss to a crack in your teeth, many practices offer 0% finance to help you spread the cost of your treatment.

Remember to do your research first, as the threshold for accessing 0% finance will differ from practice to practice, and many practices don’t offer it at all.

You can find all the necessary information on the fee page on a dental practice’s website, or you can give the reception a call.

Sign up to a dental plan

Dental plans can be a really useful way to pay for your routine dentist and hygienist appointments in workable instalments.

It’s these appointments that are the bread and butter of your dental care, which ultimately prevent future dental problems.

If your dentist has identified risk factors for a specific condition, you may be able to access a plan that gives you a discount on restorative treatment related to that condition. In some cases, you can access full cover in the event of needing a crown or root canal, (for example).

Make sure your plan is tailored to what you need. If you’re more at risk of cavities than decay, you may want a plan that provides 2 hygienist appointments + 1 dentist, rather than the other way around.

If you need guidance on speaking to a dentist about the plans they offer, our dentists at Nova Smiles can help you ask the right questions to make sure you get exactly what you need from your dentist – you can speak to our dentists via this form, completely free of charge.

Get a second opinion

If you’ve visited a dental practice and presented with a condition, but they can’t definitively give a diagnosis for a condition, or they’re suggesting treatment based on a very loose diagnosis, seek out a second opinion.

Many dentists now use digital visuals to show you what’s happening in your mouth, giving you a clear picture of what’s wrong, and what needs doing to your teeth.

Ultimately, you have the final say over your dental care. If a dentist hasn’t communicated the need for treatment to you well and left you unsure you need it at all, there’s no harm in getting a second opinion.

Many dental practices offer free no-obligation consultations for patients wanting to find out more about restorative treatments like implants, so you may not even need to pay a fee to get seen.

Open days are also a great way to find out more about a given treatment for free, and often, if you attend an open day, you get free perks such as:

• The consultation fee is taken off your treatment. 

• Free digital scans and x-rays (which can be costly).

• Free teeth whitening.

Don’t wait to get treatment

Teeth are one of the most fallible parts of the body, as they don’t self-repair.

If your dentist identifies the need for a filling, or you have a broken filling, get this replaced right away to prevent more involved (and expensive) treatment later on down the line. Getting treatment early is an incredibly worthwhile investment, not least for your physical well-being.

Be honest about your budget with your dentist

If you have a big dental plan and can’t realistically afford it, be honest with your dentist. Many dentists will prioritise what is most clinically important to protect your teeth and do their best to meet your needs and your budget.