It’s National Smile Month!
Organised by the Oral Health Foundation, this year’s campaign runs from 16th May to 16th June and is aimed at shining a light on inequalities within dental health care. The theme is ‘Everyone deserves a healthy smile’ – and here at Kiln Lane Dental, we couldn’t agree more.
Did you know, one of the main reasons why people struggle to maintain their oral health is due to financial difficulties? Research has shown that 1 in 3 (36%) UK adults are willing to sacrifice their dental visits to save money. And approximately 2 in 3 (59%) 18-24 year olds freely admit their financial inability to look after their teeth and mouth.
As the cost of living crisis starts to bite, this issue is only likely to get worse.
But what if we said, good dental care doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s perfectly possible to maintain your oral health whilst sticking to a budget. You just need the right tips and tricks.
How to maintain dental health on a budget
- Visit the dentist regularly
For anyone looking to limit their expenditure, this may sound counterintuitive. The more times you visit the dentist, of course, the more you will need to spend.
But as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Bi-annual routine check-ups can actually save you a lot of cash in the long run. Not only are they fairly easy to budget for, any problems can be detected in the early stages. Which means, you’re less likely to need complex and expensive(!) restorative treatments, such as crowns and fillings.
- Opt for a dental care plan
Many practices now offer dental care plans. These allow you to book regular appointments – therefore keeping on top of your oral health – and can work out significantly cheaper than taking the ‘pay as you go’ route. Making them a great option for those on a budget!
Here at Kiln Lane Dental, our adult membership currently costs just £14.95 a month. This entitles you to multiple routine check-ups and hygiene appointments with our dentists in St Helens, as well as a range of other benefits – and, over time, the plan can lead to fantastic savings.
- Invest in an electric toothbrush
These days, electric toothbrushes are surprisingly inexpensive.
Take, for example, the Icy Bear Sonic Whitening Toothbrush – professionally developed by our principal dentist, Dr Hanna Miraftab. This cutting-edge model is available for just £59.99. Lasting for 5 years on average, it’s a worthwhile investment that offers excellent value for money.
An electric toothbrush can make a huge difference to your oral health. Not only will it remove more plaque than a manual version, it will deliver a deeper daily clean – and, as such, is one of the easiest ways to prevent severe issues (and the expensive treatments needed to fix them!).
- Turn off the tap
Leave the tap running whilst brushing?
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Most people are guilty of it. But if you’re attempting to reduce (or at least minimise) your monthly bills, it’s worth being a bit more mindful. Not only can turning the tap off significantly cut down your water waste, it can also save you a fair sum of money.
To put things into perspective: if a family of four left the tap running whilst brushing their teeth, over their lifetime, they’d waste more water than it takes to fill an Olympic swimming pool. And it would cost them approximately £8000 for the pleasure!
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s the little things that can help the most. And this tiny change to your daily routine could lead to noticeable savings.
Visit our affordable dentists in St Helens
From choosing the right toothbrush to having a regular check-up, maintaining your oral health doesn’t have to come with a big price tag.
At Kiln Lane Dental, we may be a private practice and regarded as one of the leading dentists in St Helens – but we strive to offer affordable dentistry that is accessible to everyone. Our standard rates are highly competitive, and we offer all patients a free no-obligation consultation – in which we will assess your smile and discuss the dental care plans available.
It’s true – everyone deserves a healthy smile, regardless of the health of their bank balance! So this National Smile Month, why not get in touch and book your first appointment? You can either call us on 01744 25776 or use our online booking system to choose a date and time that works for you.
If you have any questions – or would like further advice on how to look after your teeth on a budget – you’re also welcome to message us via social media or send an email to info@kilnlanedental.co.uk. A member of the team will respond as soon as possible.