For many families and individuals, this year has been financially difficult. At its worst, unemployment rose to as much as 15 percent, and over 2 million workers have been without steady jobs. Needless to say, every dollar matters right now. Are you one of the lucky ones who has kept your job and insurance benefits? How can you make sure that the money you’ve spent on insurance premiums is put to good use? Here are some ways you can maximize your dental insurance benefits for you and your loved ones.
Get Preventive Care Regularly
The best way to keep expensive dental bills to a minimum is to prevent problems from happening in the first place. Every six months, you should visit your dentist for a professional cleaning. Of course, continue brushing and flossing every day as you should, but no one is perfect. You’re bound to miss a few spots of plaque here and there. Once they harden into tartar, they become much harder to remove on your own. By coming for cleanings on a regular basis, you make sure that plaque buildup doesn’t lead to cavities or infections.
Most dental insurance companies are aware of the power of prevention, which is why they largely focus their coverage on these services. In general, they cover a large portion, if not all, of the cost for preventive care. This means that you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by using the benefits that your monthly premiums pay for.
Catch Problems Early
Even if you are diligent and faithful in your oral healthcare routine at home, you can still face dental problems like tooth decay. Unlike getting over the common cold or the flu, the last thing you should do is wait to seek help until you feel pain. The longer dental problems are around, the more damage they can cause, which means more cost to fix them.
Fortunately, your dentist performs thorough checkups at the same appointment as when you’re having your teeth cleaned twice a year. When you have your mouth examined every six months, they can make sure that issues are discovered while they are simpler (and more affordable) to treat.
Use Your Flexible Spending Account Money
Do you and your employer contribute money to a flexible spending account (FSA)? This money, which is set aside before taxes, can only be used on medical and dental expenses. In addition to lowering the amount of taxes you pay every paycheck these contributions help you have enough to cover out-of-pocket procedures that may come up unexpectedly. However, you need to keep in mind that most FSAs come with a use-or-lose-it policy. Basically, you must use a certain amount in the account before the end of the year, or you lose that money.
As you finish off a challenging year, make sure that you’re using your funds wisely by taking advantage of the dental insurance benefits you’ve paid for. Be sure to squeeze in your last preventive appointment before the end of this year and schedule your two appointments in 2021 to help keep your oral healthcare costs to a minimum. Now that’s worth smiling about!