Your mouth is kept incredibly busy. Every day you eat, breathe, and speak so it's important to invest time and money to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting the dentist may seem like an unneeded hassle, but really, you cannot afford to visit the dentist on a regular basis. Here's why: You Save Money: When you have dental work that needs to be done, it may be tempting to delay treatment because of cost. But over time, a simple cavity that costs a couple hundred dollars to treat can turn into thousands of dollars of dental work if left untouched. Check-ups are also important because they detect early warning signs of gum disease, tooth decay and other dental issues that can do major damage to both your teeth and wallet. Even if you don't think anything is wrong, make your appointment a priority. If you don't have insurance, talk with the receptionist about payment plans and billing options; they are always happy to work with you. You Save Time: A 45-minute dentist visit twice a year not only saves you money over the long run but also saves you valuable time. Untreated dental issues can result in additional dental visits, time off work add additional time devoted to your tooth ache that could have been prevented with routine dental visits. According to the U.S. Department of Health, dental health related illnesses contribute to 20.5 million days of work and 51 million hours of school due to untreated dental issues. Yikes! You Save Peace of Mind: Many people don't visit their dentist due to dental phobia. Like time and money, delaying your dental visit will only lead to more stress. You have enough to worry about in life so don't add dental stress to the mix. If you have fear of visiting the dentist, talk to your dental hygienist about sedation options to make your visit a more pleasant experience.