A visit to the dentist can easily cost hundreds of dollars per visit. For this reason, maintaining your child’s dental hygiene from an early age is a necessary step to avoid high dental bills in the future.
If you’re wondering how much to pay to keep your child’s dental health, here’s a financial breakdown of the top five areas you need to know.
Average cost of dental treatment
In Singapore, it is recommended that you take your child for their first dental exam before they are 3 years old. It is also important to establish good dental habits as early as 6 months of age or when the first milk teeth appear.
In fact, research has shown that early exposure to dental hygiene habits can help reduce the fear of dental appointments as children age. If your child is the right age to see a dentist, here are some indicative expenses to budget for.
Dental care costs for children
| Dental services for children | Fees |
|---|---|
| Average consulting fees for children’s dentists | $ 50 to $ 150 |
| Scaling and polishing | from $ 70 |
| Dental fillings | $ 100 to $ 150 |
Dental services in school
If your children are in elementary or secondary school, they are entitled to free dental services in school dental clinics and mobile dental clinics. This means that by the ages of 7-16 you can save a significant amount on maintaining oral health.
The free service includes a dental exam, basic dental treatments like tartar removal, polishing, filling and extraction, and preventive treatments like fissure sealing to prevent tooth decay. If your children need dental treatment beyond the standard list, they will be referred to the School Dental Center (SDC). The cost of services at this center may vary as shown in the table below.
Usual Dental Treatment Fees
| Treatment services | Fees (non-residents) | Fees (permanent residence) |
|---|---|---|
| filling | $ 41.60 to $ 84.50 | $ 24.00 to $ 48.75 |
| polishing | $ 41.60 to $ 84.50 | $ 24.00 to $ 48.75 |
| Scaling | $ 41.60 to $ 84.50 | $ 24.00 to $ 48.75 |
| extraction | $ 41.60 to $ 54.60 | $ 24.00 to $ 31.50 |
| Examination & diagnosis | $ 28.60 to $ 84.50 | $ 16.50 to $ 48.75 |
| Oral hygiene instructions | $ 23.40 | $ 13.50 |
| roentgen | $ 7.80 to $ 45.50 | $ 6.00 to $ 26.25 |
| Root canal treatment | $ 208.00 | $ 120.00 |
Average cost of braces
Treatment with interceptive braces is one of the most common dental treatments for children aged 7 to 12 years. Braces help to correct misaligned teeth, tooth gaps and bite problems.
Almost 33 percent of the total world population have had orthodontic treatment. However, one concern most parents have is the relatively high cost. The total procedure can range from $ 3,500 to $ 7,000 for treatments that last 18 to 24 months.
It is important to note that the duration and total cost will depend on the severity of the dental problem and the type of braces chosen.
Good dental hygiene starts at home
While a visit to the dentist can fix more complex dental problems, basic dental hygiene begins at home. This means that you have the right dental care tools like toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste and teach your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth.
Estimated annual cost of maintaining dental hygiene
| Product Type | Cost per unit | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| toothbrush | $ 3.50 | $ 14 |
| toothpaste | $ 5.49 | $ 54.90 |
| Floss for children | $ 14.48 per pack of 75 units | $ 72.40 |
How food affects teeth
Proper nutrition and the right amount of food not only help children stay healthy, but also help them build healthier teeth. Avoid giving your children overly sweet foods, such as juices, soft drinks, and chocolate, as these foods cause tooth decay and may require dental fillings in the future.
When it comes to food, choose fresh fruits over dried ones, as the latter tend to stick in the grooves of the teeth. Milk and water are considered the best liquids for children and it is not advisable to let your child go to bed after drinking soda. If your little one needs a bottle before bed, fill it with plain water instead of juice, as the sugary liquid will collect around their teeth, which can lead to tooth decay.
Try making your child drink from a cup instead, reminding them to brush their teeth and maintain proper dental hygiene after their last milk meal.
Most importantly, remember to include good sources of calcium in your child’s diet as this is essential for building strong bones and healthy teeth. Foods like broccoli, beans, leafy green vegetables, salmon, and tofu are perfect for boosting your child’s dental health.
Lay the foundation for your child’s dental health
Keeping your children healthy can be a costly business. Maintaining dental health alone can cost you thousands of dollars if your teeth are not properly cared for. This is why comprehensive family health insurance is so important.
This article was first published in ValueChampion.
