🦷 Can I Deduct Dental Expenses in 2025?

Introduction

Dental care may keep your smile shining 😁, but it sure doesn’t keep your wallet happy 💸. From simple check-ups to dreaded root canals 😬, the bills can add up faster than you can say “open wide.” Naturally, the big question is: Can I deduct dental expenses on my tax return? The short answer: sometimes. Let’s break it down so you know what really counts with the IRS.

How Dental Deductions Work

Dental expenses fall under Schedule A, Itemized Deductions—specifically under Medical and Dental Expenses. But there’s a catch ⚠️: they’re only deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

👉 Example: If your AGI is $80,000, only expenses above $6,000 could qualify.

What Dental Expenses Qualify?

Here’s where the IRS shows some mercy 🙏:

• 🪥 Preventative care: cleanings, x-rays, sealants, fluoride treatments

• 🦷 Restorative care: fillings, crowns, root canals

• 😁 Orthodontics: braces, retainers, other alignment treatments

• 💊 Other costs: anesthesia, prescriptions, travel to dental care

💡 Rule of thumb: if it’s medically necessary, it usually qualifies.

What Doesn’t Qualify?

The IRS draws the line at cosmetic procedures 🚫. Teeth whitening, veneers (unless medically required), and “Hollywood smile” upgrades 🎬 won’t count.

Insurance & Pre-Tax Payments

If insurance reimburses you 🏥, or if you pay with pre-tax dollars through an FSA/HSA, those amounts don’t count toward your deduction. Only your true out-of-pocket 💵 expenses are eligible.

Example: Sandy’s 2025 Dental Costs

Sandy has an AGI of $80,000 and racks up these expenses in 2025:

• 🩺 Dental check-up: $100 (fully covered)

• 🦷 X-rays: $300 ($100 covered)

• 🛠️ Filling: $500 ($150 covered)

• 😬 Braces: $4,000 ($1,500 covered)

• ✨ Cosmetic veneers: $10,000 (not deductible)

Out-of-pocket qualified costs:
$300 + $350 + $2,500 = $3,150

AGI floor = $6,000 (7.5% of $80,000). Sandy doesn’t clear the floor, so—no deduction. Tough break 💔.

Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing

Even if you do clear the 7.5% hurdle, you still have to itemize. For 2025, the standard deduction is $15,600 for single filers and $31,200 for married filing jointly 📑. If your total itemized deductions don’t top that number, the standard deduction usually wins 🏆.

Strategies to Maximize Dental Deductions

• 📅 Bundle expenses: Time major procedures in the same year to push you past the AGI floor.

• 💳 Pay with credit: Expenses are deductible in the year you charge them.

• 🗂️ Keep records: Save invoices, receipts, and insurance paperwork for proof.

Final Thoughts

Deducting dental expenses is tricky—you need high out-of-pocket costs, you need to itemize, and you need to clear that 7.5% AGI floor. But with smart planning (and maybe some unlucky cavities 🦷), it can add up.

If you’re not sure where your situation fits, don’t guess 🤔. Book a call with Lisa Brugman EA & Associates, and let’s see if we can turn that toothache into a tax break.