Dentists

[Lanolin]

Tell the truth ...who really likes going to the dentist?

If you do, what the is your secret to tolerating...the pain and the bills?

Is a gleaming white perfectly straight set of teeth essential and where do people get these or afford them if they are not fake?

 

[arthurfleminger]

Tell the truth ...who really likes going to the dentist?

If you do, what the is your secret to tolerating...the pain and the bills?

Is a gleaming white perfectly straight set of teeth essential and where do people get these or afford them if they are not fake?

The truth is that no one really likes going to the dentist. However, if you want to keep your teeth past the age of 50, it is important to make your semi annual trips to the dentist. I've never met an elderly person who avoided the dentist and lost their teeth say they were happy with no real teeth. Also, after the dentist is finished, especially with the tooth cleaning, I feel good.

That being said, there are worse things than making your rounds with the dentist. Frankly, I'd prefer to be in the dentist's chair than to having to stand in a long/long line at the Post Office trying to mail my Christmas packages. And the Postal Rates are higher than ever. Still, I mail my packages every year, just as I make my semi annual trips to the dentist.

 

[Artios1]

It is absurd that insurance only covers a fractional amount what sometimes can be an astronomical fee.

I was blessed with a dad who was very successful dentist, so whatever insurance didn’t cover, was free.

I love the nitrous oxide ….it made the visits tolerable …..and there are so many stories I could tell about me and my brothers and nitrous …but it’s best not to.

 

[Going_Nowhere]

That being said, there are worse things than making your rounds with the dentist.

Yeah....like toothaches. Toothaches are the worst.


So, in those cases, going to the dentist can be a blessing. Cause you'll do almost anything to get rid of the pain.

 

[arthurfleminger]

And dental insurance isn't that costly. I pay $49 a month, about $600 annually for my dental insurance. While that only covers a portion of emergency dental work like cavities or crowns, it does cover xrays, teeth cleaning, normal dental care. I also get $1000 in dental care insurance from medicare.

And, let's be honest. How many of you spend more than $1,000 annually for non essentials like cell phone service, internet, or tv stream/cable/satellite? If you can afford those luxuries, then you can afford dental insurance and to pay your extraordinary dental bills. If you don't pay your dental bills, then someone else has to, probably me a taxpayer.

 

[Godsgirl83]

Dentist?
I don't mind going much now.
BUT that being said, I have had the same dentist since getting married and on hubs plan 15 years ago (and hubs has had this dentist much much longer than that)
He (and his team) have taken care of my dental needs through 3 pregnancy (including a complicated, high risk one)
they have been my kids dentist from the get go, making sure we knew how to care for infant gums and teething years.

 

[Lanolin]

am wondering whether to get insurance - up till recently dental care wasnt even covered by health insurance in nz
or go with a plan which means I pay x amount every single week to the dentist.

I know elderly people have actually stopped paying health insurance as it is so steep that they cannot afford it

 

[Lanolin]

just wish it wasnt it so expensive...those on lower incomes (or no income) just cant afford it

You know how those ads on tv say sponsor a child for $1 a day

well they should do it like that for teeth. Though the children on THOSE ads seem to have perfect teeth ?!

 

[arthurfleminger]

am wondering whether to get insurance - up till recently dental care wasnt even covered by health insurance in nz
or go with a plan which means I pay x amount every single week to the dentist.

I know elderly people have actually stopped paying health insurance as it is so steep that they cannot afford it

Most American companies offer their employees and their families dental insurance at affordable rates. I know all the companies that I worked for in my career did. And I will admit that I don't know about smaller companies. Today I get legitimate offers in the mail for affordable dental insurance. I don't need these offers as I pay $49 a month for my Cigna dental insurance plan, for myself only, and I get another $1,000 in dental insurance from Medicare. This is enough insurance to cover all my standard bi-annual dental visits for exams/xrays/cleaning...etc. And it will cover a lot of the cost of things like crowns, this spares me from unaffordable costs.

 

[arthurfleminger]

am wondering whether to get insurance - up till recently dental care wasnt even covered by health insurance in nz
or go with a plan which means I pay x amount every single week to the dentist.

I know elderly people have actually stopped paying health insurance as it is so steep that they cannot afford it

Actually, the elderly in the USA are well covered for their health insurance. If they are poor, Medicaid will cover almost all their medical costs, if not poor Medicare will cover 80% of their medical costs. Medicaid is free for the poor and Medicare is free to Social Security recipients over the age of 65. If you want to supplement your Medicare insurance it is easy to do and at an affordable rate.

One other thing that the USA offers is Health Care through the Veterans Administration. You get this care, lifetime, if you served on active duty in the military services and received an Honorable Discharge. I use them as my primary health care provider, even though I have access to civilian doctors through Medicare. I find the VA healthcare system to be outstanding and don't even consider going to a civilian doctor. But the VA can send me to a civilian establishment if it is more convenient for me. The VA charges me $13 for each prescription I order and $50 copay for doctor visiits. They provide free eye exams and glasses also.

I have received my healthcare from the VA for over 15 years and am very happy with it. Surprisingly, I run into many veterans who qualify for this healthcare but don't know about it. If you or a family member served in the US military on active duty and received an honorable discharge you are eligible. VA healthcare is easy to apply for on line, just Google 'Apply for VA healthcare'. The process takes about 15 minutes and it would be good if you had your DD 214 form handy when applying. As I said, a lot of vets don't know they qualify for this benefit.

 

[arthurfleminger]

Actually, the elderly in the USA are well covered for their health insurance. If they are poor, Medicaid will cover almost all their medical costs, if not poor Medicare will cover 80% of their medical costs. Medicaid is free for the poor and Medicare is free to Social Security recipients over the age of 65. If you want to supplement your Medicare insurance it is easy to do and at an affordable rate.

One other thing that the USA offers is Health Care through the Veterans Administration. You get this care, lifetime, if you served on active duty in the military services and received an Honorable Discharge. I use them as my primary health care provider, even though I have access to civilian doctors through Medicare. I find the VA healthcare system to be outstanding and don't even consider going to a civilian doctor. But the VA can send me to a civilian establishment if it is more convenient for me. The VA charges me $13 for each prescription I order and $50 copay for doctor visiits. They provide free eye exams and glasses also.

I have received my healthcare from the VA for over 15 years and am very happy with it. Surprisingly, I run into many veterans who qualify for this healthcare but don't know about it. If you or a family member served in the US military on active duty and received an honorable discharge you are eligible. VA healthcare is easy to apply for on line, just Google 'Apply for VA healthcare'. The process takes about 15 minutes and it would be good if you had your DD 214 form handy when applying. As I said, a lot of vets don't know they qualify for this benefit.

As to my above post, neither the VA nor Medicare pays for dental coverage.

 

[shittim]

Xylitol gum, mints, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. can change the chemistry of the mouth so you don't get cavities.
https://xylitol.org/xylitol-uses/dental-benefits-of-xylitol/

 

[mar09]

Tell the truth ...who really likes going to the dentist?

If you do, what the is your secret to tolerating...the pain and the bills?

Is a gleaming white perfectly straight set of teeth essential and where do people get these or afford them if they are not fake?

As a child, I feared dental visits, because those were the times i had a painful tooth to be dealt with. By high school, i was grateful to be able to go to our school dentist for free services. .. was more careful and deliberate about caring for my teeth and gums, which thankfully are not giving much trouble now.

A few years ago, I came across this website where they have material for Where there is no doctor and dentist, considering if I could help translate. Most here on CC may be from richer countries, but some may want to look into what they have here:

https://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en_dent_2020/en_dent_2020_fm.pdf

 

[shittim]

Thank you! I have saved and will share this.

 

[Lanolin]

differnt countries have different healthcare, also depends on who you work for what plans they have to look after their workers. Under 18s get free dental in nz and there are dental clinics in schools.

I recall getting free molechecks, hearing tests when working in gardening company. and discount eyecare at the university

But there is only one school of dentistry in nz and I didnt work there probably those that do get discounts.

I have heard about xylitol though the gums and mints are also expensive and hard to get you have to order them they dont have them in the shops. Though now there are different toothpastes.

the govt did a big zero sugary drinks in schools but by the time I had finished school was a bit too late as my dad was feeding/buying me sugary drinks every day...this was when some schools didnt even have drinking fountains and bottled water wasnt even a thing
however I did wean myself off sugar but some people are still insistant on feeding everyone desserts, candy and sugar snacks and cereals.

 

[Barkes]

I love going to the dentist, even if it sounds super weird. When I was younger, I had massive anxiety before entering the dentist's office, but that changed when I found the best dentist for me. I know to go to the https://jeffreygrossdds.com/, and he is the one that made me love having a good routine for my teeth. I visit him at least once in 3 months. Let me tell you, once you find the perfect dentist for you and start a good routine, and you can never go back. You'll become obsessed with your smile, which will determine you to go more often and become very attentive and conscious with your routine.

 

[Lanolin]

i think if you pick the right one, you'll want to go back (to the dentist!)

I remember in school the dental nurse would give out little toys made out of cotton swabs as a treat for being a good patient. I think if they have the right manner, you'd make the extra effort to get into that regular routine.

Im trying oil pulling to keep my gums healthy. so far, seems ok. I think some dentists because they already have perfect teeth, dont sympathise or empathise with people who find it hard to maintain or brush their teeth, or for whatever reason, were put off by previous dental visits.

 

[wintersrain]

Yeah....like toothaches. Toothaches are the worst.


So, in those cases, going to the dentist can be a blessing. Cause you'll do almost anything to get rid of the pain.

The worst part of the dentist visit is sitting in the waiting room and hearing that drill sound through the doors of any treatment room. No matter how large the waiting room is, that sound reaches you.

One note about toothaches. While we may hate going to the dentist, don't put it off if you have lost a filling or have a toothache for whatever other reason.
I know someone who nearly died because they wanted to avoid the dentist after losing a filling in a molar. The tooth developed an abscess that she tried to resolve with Orajel. (Never use Orajel or its like on teething children!) Not a good move. The abscess burst and had her roommate not come home after her toothache roommate passed out after a long night of drinking, thinking Vodka would suffice when running out of Orajel, she'd have died.

We got the call that Daniella would not be in to work for the next week due to this trauma. Visiting her in the hospital later she looked like a balloon animal because of the toxins entering her bloodstream. A miracle she lived the doctor said.

Just a word of caution.
I have no fillings thank God. That drill sound is still aggravating.

 

[Mak33]

Don't be scared guys
Visit ur dentist atleast once a year!

 

[JohnDB]

I go to the dentist to stop the pain.
Otherwise....nope.
I go about twice a year myself.