Save On Dentist Cost: 6 NZ Dental Hygiene Tips

How much does the dentist cost in New Zealand?

The cost of going to the dentist can be enough to keep people who need treatment away. While it’s tempting to skip your annual checkup, regular visits to the dentist are the best way to look after your teeth and avoid a hefty dental bill in the process.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay at the dentist and more tips on keeping up with your oral health.

How much does the dentist cost for children in New Zealand?

Dental care is free for children in New Zealand up until the age of 18. You can enrol your child with a local oral health provider at any time, but if your child is six months old or already has their first tooth, they are due for a checkup.

Tooth decay is a chronic childhood disease in New Zealand, so enrolling your child early on is essential. Over 50% of kids under five have tooth decay, which can affect their short- and long-term health.

As well as taking your child for their annual checkup, teaching kids how to care for their teeth is important. Adopting an oral health routine at a young age means these habits will follow them into adulthood. You can help your child adopt a healthy attitude towards caring for their teeth by encouraging:

• Regular brushing and flossing
• Annual dental checkups
• Proper brushing technique
• A healthy diet

How much does the dentist cost for adults in New Zealand?

Overall dentist cost will depend on a lot of different factors. The type of treatment you need, the materials used, and where you get treatment will all influence the overall dentist cost. Even so, having a ballpark figure of what you can expect to pay for an initial checkup can be helpful.

A study published by the New Zealand Dental Association in 2020 showed that the average price of common dental treatments was $80 for a full mouth examination and $103 for a full mouth examination and x-rays.

How to avoid a big dental bill at the dentist

Tooth decay is an underlying cause of a lot of dental problems. Many dental treatments, such as fillings, root canals, dental implants and bridges, are used to fix problems caused by cavities.

Looking after your teeth from a young age is the best way to prevent cavities and the need for treatment. There are a few ways you can avoid a big bill at the dentist, including:

1. Eating a healthy diet. Sugary drinks and processed foods can increase your chance of cavities. When we eat sugar, our mouth produces bacteria and acids that can attack tooth enamel and form holes.
2. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Flouride strengthens the surface of our teeth and makes them more resistant against cavities and tooth decay.
3. Brushing your teeth every day. Plaque builds up on our teeth after every meal. Brushing your teeth morning and night helps to remove food, plaque and bacteria from our mouths.
4. Brushing for two minutes. How you brush your teeth is just as important as regular brushing and flossing. Make sure you brush every surface of your teeth, including behind your teeth, every time you brush.
5. Flossing every day. Even with regular brushing, food and plaque can get stuck between our teeth, leading to tooth decay. Daily flossing will keep your teeth healthy and clean.
6. Regular dental visits. Annual checkups are one of the best ways to prevent the need for dental treatment. Looking after your teeth in the short term is the best way to minimise dental bills in the long term.

 How to choose an affordable dentist in Wellington, Lower Hutt or Upper Hutt

At Gentle Dental, we keep dental treatments affordable without compromising the quality of materials or your treatment. Here are some ways we can help.

Affordable new patient specials

We have one of the most affordable new patient specials in the Wellington Region. Get two X-rays and a complete mouth examination for just $55.

No surprises paying for treatment

At your checkup, if you need further treatment, our dentists will talk you through a range of options so you know what it will cost. You’ll never be hit with a surprise dental bill.

A range of payment options

We offer a range of payment options to help you manage your budget and pay at a pace that suits you. Enjoy 3 months of zero interest with a Q Mastercard or pay in four instalments with AfterPay.

With four practice locations across Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, as well as a range of payment options, we make finding a practice near you easy. Stay on top of your oral health by booking a checkup now with Gentle Dental.