How Two Cleanings a Year Can Actually Save You Money

At Modern Dental of Durham, we want you to think of preventive care not just as a health habit, but as a smart financial decision for your oral health. Many people assume dental cleanings are simply a cost, but in reality, getting your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year can save you significant money in the long run.

Why Cleanings Are More Than Just Polishing

When you come in for a routine cleaning, your hygienist is doing much more than removing plaque. That appointment gives us the chance to:

• Detect cavities or gum disease in early stages

• Remove hardened tartar you can’t brush away

• Spot warning signs of oral health issues such as cracks, decay, or even precancerous changes

• Reinforce oral hygiene strategies tailored to you

  
  

Catching small problems early is key. Once decay or disease advances, treatment costs rise steeply.

The Research: Preventive Care Pays Off

Here’s what the evidence shows:

• Studies suggest that for every dollar spent on preventive dental care, you can save $8 to $50 in future restorative or emergency treatments. (dentistry.uic.edu)

• Among Medicaid enrollees, those who had five years of continuous preventive care experienced 43% lower costs than those who skipped it, largely due to fewer surgeries and emergencies. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• One analysis found that prior-year preventive dental visits are associated with fewer nonpreventive visits and lower overall dental expenditures. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

• Employers in “high preventive utilization” groups spent 86% less on major and restorative dental services over time. (nadp.org)

• Preventive dental care has been linked with lower healthcare costs in populations with chronic conditions such as diabetes by reducing inflammation, infections, and complications. (frontiersin.org)

  
  

In short, preventive care is cost-effective, clinically wise, and a smart insurance play.

How Two Cleanings a Year Translate to Savings

Scenario	What Happens & Risks	Potential Cost Impact
Skipping one cleaning per year	Plaque hardens into tartar, early decay or gum inflammation goes unnoticed	Small cavity becomes large, needs root canal or crown
Skipping both cleanings	Gum disease may develop, bone loss, infection risk	Tooth extraction, implant costs, or periodontal surgery
Keeping two cleanings per year	Problems are caught early and treated affordably	Less overall treatment cost, fewer emergencies, less time off work

By maintaining biannual cleanings, you reduce the chance of needing expensive treatments like root canals, crowns, implants, or gum surgery.

Other Ways Biannual Cleanings Benefit You

• Insurance coverage advantage: Many dental plans cover 100% of preventive cleanings, making these visits virtually free out-of-pocket. (humana.com)

• Better overall health: Poor oral health is linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Preventive dental care can reduce inflammatory load and healthcare costs. (frontiersin.org)

• Less emergency dental visits: Skipping care leads many people to seek urgent treatment, which is far more expensive and stressful. (cdc.gov)

• Peace of mind and less downtime: Preventive visits are quick, comfortable, and keep your smile healthy without disruptions from pain or emergency trips.

  
  

Tips to Maximize Your Savings & Oral Health

• Stick to the schedule. Set reminders for your six-month cleanings

• Use your dental benefits. Preventive is often fully covered

• Practice good at-home habits. Brush twice a day, floss, and use antimicrobial mouthwash

• Tell your hygienist your health status. Medications, conditions, and diet can influence your risk and treatment plan

  

Resources You Can Trust

• For more on how oral disease interventions save lives and money, see the CDC’s Health and Economic Benefits of Oral Disease Interventions page.

• The PMC article “Estimating the Cost Savings of Preventive Dental Services” offers peer-reviewed insight into state-level preventive cost impacts.

Don’t wait until pain or expensive treatment forces your hand. Commit to your oral and financial health today.

📞 Call Modern Dental of Durham or schedule your next cleaning online now. Let us help keep your smile and your wallet in the best shape possible.