According to a 2019 study performed by the American Association of Endodontists, 59% of people are more afraid of getting root canal therapy than they are of public speaking. While root canals aren’t as frightening or painful as many people believe, it is better if you can avoid needing the treatment done at all. Luckily, taking advantage of dental insurance coverage to pay for preventive dentistry can help you do just that.

Using Dental Insurance for Preventive Care

Dental insurance is notably different from your regular health insurance. While it does provide some coverage for the restorative treatments you might need in an emergency, the main focus of a standard dental insurance plan is preventive care. Many dental insurance companies offer 100% coverage for preventive services such as dental checkups and cleanings; in contrast, restorative treatments usually only receive 50% to 80% coverage.

Preventive dental care is extremely important if you want to avoid root canal therapy. Your regular checkups give your dentist a chance to look for signs of tooth decay. Untreated decay can eventually lead to a serious infection that threatens the tooth, which is when root canal therapy is required. However, if decay is found early, it can often be easily treated with a simple filling.

In short, by using the preventive coverage provided by your dental plan, you can increase your chances of having tooth decay found before it leads to an infection. That means you’ll be less likely to need root canal therapy or other complex restorative procedures. Additionally, the full coverage that dental insurance usually provides for preventive care means you can potentially save a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on more costly treatments.

Other Ways to Avoid Needing a Root Canal

Of course, while visiting your dentist in Mt. Holly is important, the kind of care you give your smile at home also matters when it comes to protecting your oral health. If you don’t want to experience root canal treatment in the future, follow these tips:

• Brush your teeth at least twice every day. Ideally, you should brush once after breakfast and once just before bed.
• Don’t forget to floss. Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth; dental floss is the most reliable way to remove hard-to-reach bacteria from these areas.
• Stop chewing on ice and hard candy. They could potentially crack your teeth and leave them vulnerable to infection.
• Wear a mouthguard at night. Many people grind their teeth while they’re asleep, wearing them down and possibly fracturing them. A mouthguard will help keep your smile safe.

Your dentist can give you additional tips for keeping your smile safe at home. They can also help you figure out the best way to use your dental insurance so that you can get the preventive care you need while saving money. Be proactive in keeping your smile safe, and you won’t have to worry as much about needing root canal therapy.

About the Practice

At Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, Dr. Adam Cygler, Dr. Janice Choi, and Dr. John Genco combine their years of experience and expertise in various fields to offer their Mt. Holly patients a full range of dental services. They’re happy to work with many of the major PPO dental insurance plans so that you can fit preventive care, root canal therapy, and other treatments into your budget. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (609) 267-3230.