How much do you pay for a professional teeth cleaning?

[Tybee]

I think about 375? But am not sure.

[rosarugosa]

I have dental coverage through BC/BS. It is $39.23 per month, fully paid by me and not a group plan. My dentist charges $170 for a cleaning and exam, and my plan covers 3 cleanings and exams per year, so it pays for itself just with that. It also covers other preventative services at 100% (x-rays). It pays 50% on restorative services like fillings, extractions, perio maintenance, root canals and crowns with a $100 deductible. There's an annual limit of $1250.

I would not necessarily think that paying $480 year for $1250 worth of coverage is a good deal, but if I know I'm going to use at least $510 worth of services without fail every year, then to me it's a no-brainer to carry the coverage. I'll add that I have gotten my teeth cleaned 4 times per year for my entire adult life, even when I was a young adult (before dental coverage was a thing) paying fully out of pocket. This was largely because I was a smoker, but I've continued the practice as a non-smoker for almost 13 years, so I guess I like to have squeaky clean teeth! I think I'll find it acceptable to go with a cleaning every 4 months instead of every 3 months, though. I also faithfully brush, floss, water floss, and use an electric toothbrush.

[catherine]

I have dental coverage through BC/BS. It is $39.23 per month, fully paid by me and not a group plan. My dentist charges $170 for a cleaning and exam, and my plan covers 3 cleanings and exams per year, so it pays for itself just with that. It also covers other preventative services at 100% (x-rays). It pays 50% on restorative services like fillings, extractions, perio maintenance, root canals and crowns with a $100 deductible. There's an annual limit of $1250.

I would not necessarily think that paying $480 year for $1250 worth of coverage is a good deal, but if I know I'm going to use at least $510 worth of services without fail every year, then to me it's a no-brainer to carry the coverage. I'll add that I have gotten my teeth cleaned 4 times per year for my entire adult life, even when I was a young adult (before dental coverage was a thing) paying fully out of pocket. This was largely because I was a smoker, but I've continued the practice as a non-smoker for almost 13 years, so I guess I like to have squeaky clean teeth! I think I'll find it acceptable to go with a cleaning every 4 months instead of every 3 months, though. I also faithfully brush, floss, water floss, and use an electric toothbrush.

Wow, rosa, you're a dentist's dream patient!! Curious to know, have you ever had cavities, root canals, extractions? Nasty stuff like that? Or have your A+ hygiene habits made a huge difference?