As Kiwis, we often put things off, especially when we're worried about the cost. When we look for ways to save money, we're prone to delaying the things we know we should do, such as going to the dentist. When it comes to dental treatment, we often delay this until we have enough money, unless we need emergency treatment.
What we don't usually think about, is how this mindset can have the opposite effect and harm us financially, in the long run. We generally find that people who visit the dentist regularly need less dental treatment and spend less in the long-term and have healthier mouths. Preventative dental care saves money.
Who doesn't want to save money now and avoid paying more later? Think about a cavity in your tooth. You may only feel pain once the cavity reaches your tooth’s nerve or the tooth breaks. By this time the opportunity to solve the problem with simpler treatments, such as a filling has been missed. Your tooth then often requires more advanced treatments, such as a root canal or a crown, instead of a simple filling, or worse still you may have to have the tooth extracted. Inevitably, these treatments are more expensive.
Preventative treatments such as an Exam & X-Rays Check-Up or a Hygiene Service require less time to complete than more invasive treatments like a root canal or an extraction. Regular dentist and hygienist visits, save you time. If you leave it too long before visiting the dentist, more extensive treatments often take more time to complete and even multiple appointments.
You can take control of your oral health now with the Lumino Dental Plan. With this preventative care subscription, you get three treatments, including two hygiene cleans and an exam & x-rays check-up. Plus, you also get 10% discount off most additional dental treatments* to help you get sorted for less.
Our hygienists are highly trained and enthusiastic about educating you on the most effective ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Hygiene treatments are when a hygienist or oral health therapist examines your mouth to assess the health of your teeth and gums and to look for any signs of disease. They will then do a professional clean and polish, using a combination of modern dental techniques. This removes any bacteria and plaque from above and below the gum surfaces. Once the plaque has been removed, your teeth will be polished, leaving them feeling smooth and fresh.
Your hygienist will then show you how to care for your teeth at home. They will advise you on all aspects of dental hygiene.
A routine exam and x-rays check-up has two main parts:
Your dentist will talk to you about your dental health and any concerns you may have. You will have a full visual check-up of all areas of your mouth, not just your teeth and gums. Special instruments are used to make sure all of your teeth, gums and mouth are checked.
You will have standard dental x-rays taken. These help with diagnosis and prevention of decay and disease. Because your dentist sees your teeth and mouth in great detail on an x-ray, they can help spot dental problems early.