When it’s time for you or a loved one to get braces to straighten your smile, one of the main worries on your mind may be how you could afford braces. For many people, braces come as an expected expense unless you have natural straight teeth. When you need braces, the most difficult part of getting them is often finding a way to finance them. Since braces are expensive, most people can’t afford to pay for them upfront out-of-pocket in the way that you might be able to cover basic dental expenses like toothpaste and floss.
Braces Are for More than Kids
As Humana shares, those over the age of 18 should plan on spending roughly twice as long wearing braces as their juvenile counterparts. Although this can be frustrating, it’s simply a fact of life. This can make them pricier for adults, so it’s a good idea to shop around and plan accordingly.
When you’re consulting with orthodontists and other dental professionals for braces, you can ask questions like how long they estimate your treatment plan to run. Time is money. Thus, it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to commit to braces unless you had a general idea of how long it would take for them to work their magic and straighten your teeth to the desired extent.
Budget for Other Expenses
If you have pets, you’ll know that their expenses will also need to factor into your budget. Perhaps your dog is in daycare like one of the 19 million pooches that were enrolled in doggy daycare services as of 2022 on a daily basis. If so, you should avoid letting those kinds of expenses slide as you do your best to afford braces and finance this major cost.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog at the same time as you’ve been considering braces, you will probably want to put your health and well-being first. That way, your finances won’t be drained by two different major expenses in a short period of time. Of course, it’s your decision, and you can always get braces later. Just be prepared for your teeth to need more work if you put off straightening them for an extended amount of time.
Braces Aren’t the Only Orthodontic Cost
Besides braces themselves, you’ll need to budget for rubber bands, retainers, and more. Additionally, you’ll want to budget for trips to the orthodontist and cleanings. The cost of rubber bands varies since the amount of rubber bands used varies from person to person. As Healthline explains, rubber bands may be used for a variable amount of time based on the treatment plan created by your orthodontic care team.
While certain folks could get away with using rubber bands for several weeks, there are some people who have to rely on rubber bands for multiple months. This makes it so that you shouldn’t base your expectations on what your friends or family members experienced with braces. Following your treatment plan as outlined by your dental care team will ensure that your braces will be as effective as possible. It will also keep you from hurting your teeth and gums. This will help you preserve your dental health for years to come.
To be clear, braces are an investment in your or your child’s future dental health. What’s more, they can restore confidence if you have a hard time enjoying the look of your smile due to crooked or crowded teeth. If your dental care team recommends braces, it’s best to pull all of your resources together and discover the most affordable option for paying for them. Even if this means putting them on a payment plan or taking out a loan to afford them, it’ll be worth it when you see your smile changing from something that you don’t love to something that you can wear with pride.