The most important dental care is virtually free: It is the care you give yourself. Brushing and flossing cost very little money. Brush twice a day and floss daily. These preventive habits save you money and time.

If you do notice a problem, get to a dental office as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem, it will get worse. And as that happens, it becomes more expensive to fix.

If you have dental insurance, you may save money by going to a dentist who participates in your dental plan. If you don't have insurance, you may wonder how to find care you can afford.

There are low-cost options for professional dental care.

Dental schools. If you live near a dental school, take advantage of it. Dental schools are excellent sources of high-quality care. Dental students provide care at reduced cost, and they are supervised by dentists on the school faculty. Because these students are still in training, procedures may take extra time.

Local hospitals. Many local hospitals have dental clinics. These can provide low-cost care. They may be staffed by dental residents. These are dentists who have graduated from dental school and are taking more training at the hospital. The residents are supervised by dentists on the hospital staff.

Community health centers. Another source of low-cost care is a community health center. These centers are funded by the U.S. government. Many of them have dentists on staff who provide free or low-cost dental care. Look for one in the area where you live or work.

Your local dentist. Local dentists don't always cost a lot. Many of them provide low-cost care to needy patients. It's always worth asking a dental office about reduced-cost care or payment plans.