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Modern dental care enables you to have a healthy smile throughout your entire lifetime. The list below is a general guideline to maintaining a healthy smile at every age, and will help you budget ahead for your own and your family’s needs. Your dentist will guide you on the specific treatments and procedures necessary for you to maintain optimum oral health.
6 to 12 months
- First checkup to assess general oral health and development.
- Ask your dentist about best oral hygiene practices for your baby (and yourself!)
- Talk to your dentist about fluoride intake, and your baby’s diet.
- Discuss the use of pacifiers and other oral habits (thumb sucking, etc), and teething issues as appropriate.
Average Cost: $65 to $100 per child, per checkup. 1-2 checkups per year.
12 to 24 months
- Checkup to assess/update general oral health and development status.
- Discuss diet, oral hygiene practices, and development of first (baby) teeth with your dentist.
- Your dentist may begin topical fluoride treatments, which will be repeated every six months or as determined by your child’s needs.
Average Cost: $65 to $100 per child, per checkup. 1-2 checkups per year. For fluoride treatments: $30-$35, per treatment, 2x per year.
2 to 6 years
- Checkup and cleaning every six months or as indicated by your child’s oral health status.
- Sealant treatments, as determined by your child’s needs.
- Your dentist or dental hygienist may discuss oral hygiene with your child, as appropriate.
- Evaluation of the child’s bite (for malocclusion) and child’s oral habits (teeth grinding, thumb sucking, etc.) if needed.
Average Cost: $65 to $100 per child, per checkup. 1-2 checkups per year. For sealant treatment, 35-$40 per tooth treated, sealants last ten or more years.
6 to 12 years
- Checkup and cleaning every six months or as indicated by your child’s oral health status.
- Early orthodontic treatment (phase 1) using dental appliances may begin, if necessary, at around age 7. This treatment option utilizes a 2-phase approach to orthodontics, discuss options with your dentist.
Average Cost: $65 to $100 per child, per checkup. 1-2 checkups per year.
- Phase 1 orthodontics: Typical cost for phase 1: $4000+
12 years and older
- Checkup and cleaning every six months or as indicated by your child’s oral health status.
- Orthodontic treatment, if needed, normally begins between ages 10 and 14.
- During late adolescence, your dentist will assess the presence, position, and development of third molars (wisdom teeth).
Average Cost: $65 to $100 per child, per checkup. 1-2 checkups per year.
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Typical cost of orthodontic treatment: $3,000 to $7,000+
Adults (21 and Older)
- Checkup and cleaning every six months or as advised by your dentist.
- Your dentist will check for gingivitis (early stage gum disease) which is reversible if treated early. Symptoms include swollen, tender, and red gums that tend to bleed when you brush your teeth.
- Your dentist will also check for recurrent decay (cavities developing around existing fillings) and decay on the root surfaces of the teeth.
- You may wish to discuss cosmetic procedures with your dentist if you’re not completely happy with your smile.
Average cost of adult checkup and cleaning: $150-$250
Typical dental procedures needed by adults include deep cleaning ($500-$900+), plus budget a minimum of $500-$750 annually for basic restorative care for issues such as chipped teeth, dental cavity fillings, root canal, crown, etc. (A root canal and crown costs about $1500+, so you may wish to budget higher, depending on your oral health needs).
Consider budgeting for cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening ($400-$800+) or overlays ($650-$1000 per tooth)
During Pregnancy
- Have a dental checkup and get treatment for any oral problems before becoming pregnant.
- Make sure to let a dentist know about your pregnancy when you schedule an appointment
- Talk to your dentist about ways to reduce oral problems, such as pregnancy gingivitis.
- Unless absolutely necessary, X-rays, dental anesthetics, pain medications and antibiotics (especially tetracycline) are typically avoided during the first trimester.
Average cost of adult checkup and cleaning: $150-$250
65 and Older
- Checkup and cleaning every six months or as advised by your dentist.
- Your dentist will check for gum disease, cavities and decay on the root surfaces of the teeth, all of which tend to occur more frequently as we get older.
- Talk to your dentist if your teeth are more sensitive than they had been, or if your mouth is often dry.
- Make sure your dentist knows about any existing health conditions you may have.
- If you have missing or loose teeth, speak with your dentist about restorative procedures.
Average cost of adult checkup and cleaning: $150-$250
Restorative care costs: Root canal and crown $1500+, dental bridge $500 to $1,200 per tooth, dentures $2500+ per plate (upper or lower).
Dental insurance and dental savings plans can help make dental care more affordable throughout your lifetime. And getting regular preventive care helps you avoid the need for more expensive restorative procedures. Find out more about dental savings options at dentalplans.com.
Sources: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
