That is the question that every young American must face.
On the one hand, most young adults don't have too many teeth issues if they were brought up taking care of their teeth.
Just the occossional cleaning once or twice a year is likely all that is needed.
Perhaps even one cavity or two can be expected from time to time.
The cost of those is likely pretty close to what it might cost you to have dental insurance, assuming you don't already get it from an employer.
Digging online I have found that most dental insurance plans cost around $350-$400 per year.
(Source: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/dental-insurance-1.aspx)
However, if you just do one or two cleanings per year, you likely spend less than $400.
Is it worth the gamble?
Perhaps, but perhaps not.
Let me give you an example of what just recently happened with a family member.
Their dental insurance had recently expired and they were trying to decide the best course of action to take going forward.
They planned on getting a dental discount card, which claimed to save roughly the same amount as dental insurance on most major procedures and it "only" cost about $100 for the year.
That sounded great in theory.
(Source: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/dental-insurance-1.aspx)
However, after not visiting the dentist regularly for some time, a recent visit revealed that some major cavity work was needed.
When it was all said and done, with work cost about $1200 without any insurance or discounts.
When the card was applied, the cost was reduced to $600.
Cut in half, but ouch!
What's more, the dentist ran those numbers with a basic dental insurance plan and the cost came out to around $200.
A savings of $400 (not including the cost of the savings card)!
In this case it would definitely have been better to get dental insurance.
If only they could go back in time and get that dental insurance instead of that discount card.
Live and learn I guess, and take care of those teeth!