We don’t mean to beat around the bush, but sometimes dental care can be costly.

Luckily, there are ways you can budget for your next dental procedure. We’ve adapted 3 of our favorite idioms to help you pinch a penny and prep financially:

1. Expect the unexpected.

You can’t always predict your health, but you can save for it. Consider looking into a Medical Savings Account, Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account to help set aside money for future care. Think of these accounts as a savings budget just for dental and health expenses.

2. Get it in writing.

Ask your dental office to submit your treatment plan to your insurance provider for a predetermination of benefits. The predetermination of benefits will itemize each proposed procedure with the insurance portion and the patient portion. A copy is sent to you and your provider. This is a valuable tool when planning the financial part of your treatment plan.

3. It never hurts to ask.

If you are worried about the cost of the dentist’s prescribed treatment plan, discuss it with him or her. There might be less expensive care options or payment plans available. Others may offer financing options so you don’t have to pay for everything up front.

One last idiom to leave you with: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Remember, a thorough dental routine can help prevent expensive procedures in the future.