It takes time and effort to keep your pearly whites shining bright. Overtime, caring for your teeth gets significantly more expensive, especially during the teenage years. There are four common steps that the average human must take to maintain the health of their teeth. Here’s what you can expect:

Dental Visits

Going to the dentist is the most common step in keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Most people make a visit to the dentist every six months to clean their teeth, get x-rays, and check for cavities. The average dentist visit costs approximately $200.00, and if you go twice a year, it is around $400.00. This is just for one person. If you have a family, that can double or even triple in cost.

Braces

The majority of kids are told that they will need braces to straighten their smiles out. This is where everything begins to get expensive. Dependent on the child, braces can range from $2,000 - $8,000. There are many different types of braces that can vary in price. The most common type of braces is the traditional braces, which are seen on most children. Then, there are different types of braces like, Damon braces and Invisalign. Talk to your dentist about which braces would be best suited for you.

Electric Toothbrushes

Often, the dentist will recommend that you buy an electric toothbrush to improve the cleanliness of your teeth. These gadgets are not inexpensive. They range from about $40 - $200. This may not seem like a lot of money considering you will have the machine part of the toothbrush for a long time; however, replacing the head of the toothbrush overtime can get pricey.

The Extra Stuff

It is always the extra stuff that puts people over the edge in terms of price. Some kids may need a palette expander, headgear, retainer, or even need to get cavities filled, which can add a couple hundred dollars to the bill. The prices of these appliances are dependent on the person, dentist/orthodontist, and severity.

There is no question that teeth are expensive to take care of, yet it is undeniable that it is necessary to do so. Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy is essential to your overall health. Talk to your dentist about the best options suited to your budget, and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank!

Visit Dental Brands For Less to find the latest in complete oral care products.

Sources:

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/early-orthodontics/article/how-much-do-braces-cost-for-kids-1014

http://www.jeffersondentalclinics.com/blog/2014/04/30/manual-toothbrush-vs-electric-toothbrush-pros-and-cons-jefferson-dental-clinics/

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/children-and-orthodontics?page=2