Consequences of High Prices for Dental Health in the United States

Dental Health in the United States: Consequences on Patients

Dental health in the United States continues to become exceedingly expensive. So much so that patients have to go abroad for dental treatment.

The dental health in the United States is a $120 billion dollar industry and yet studies show that the dental health of Americans is at its all-time low. More than 50% of Americans don’t have dental insurance and experts suggest that those who do aren’t at an advantage. The maximum benefit you can get from dental insurance is $1,000 to $1,500 annually, which hasn’t changed in 50 years despite the huge leaps in the cost of dental care. A mere dental implant costs $5,000, so what dent can $1,500 make in the bill?

This is one of the main reasons why people continue to opt for alternative solutions like The Costa Rica Dental Tourism Guide since it provides affordable, expert dental treatment.

Dental Health in the United States

The state of dental health of Americans is definitely abysmal. Over 80% of Americans have gingivitis, which is actually a preventable disease. It causes the gums to swell and bleed, which can make it really hard to talk, speak, or even smile. Over 36 million Americans have no teeth at all while 120 million people have, at least, one missing tooth. Even one missing tooth can lead to the shifting of the jaw bone and loss of more teeth. Even though there are many ways to combat missing teeth, the high cost of dental care prevents Americans from seeking it.

There are also 500 species of bacteria that can fester if teeth aren’t properly taken care of. The mouth is the main area through which we take in harmful bacteria and bad oral health can result in physical illness. Not only do they cause tooth decay but also play part in aggravating conditions and diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, digestive issues, weakened immune system, and more. Even regular dental hygiene can add around 6.5 years to your life, so why is dental health in the United States so poor?

State of Dental Health in the United States

There is one main reason why Americans have one of the worst oral health rates in the world – the high cost of dental care! Even a simple routine cleaning is more than the weekly food budget for some families. A dental implant for single missing tooth can cost individuals around $5,000, let alone a full mouth restoration that many patients need. Dental insurance should help but, as we discussed, many Americans don’t have dental converge.

Due to this reason, 1 out of every 6 Americans actually faced an expensive dental emergency in the past year.

Choosing Dental Treatment Abroad

Due to the high costs and sub-par dental care, many patients are now choosing to go for dental treatment abroad. The Costa Rica Dental Tourism Guide can help you get in touch with some of the best experts in the industry at affordable dental costs.