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Post by lesserknownpea on Apr 27, 2021 6:56:05 GMT
Ok. You guys must be right. I will no longer suggest looking into less expensive dental care. You win. It was wrong of me to offer an alternative for someone who was discouraged with being priced out of care. I think you are trying to help people know that for some, Mexico is an option. The problem is your first post not only made it sound like It could be an option for everybody, but a relatively simple one. Added to that was the undertone of distaste your post carried for anyone who hasn’t “fixed” a missing teeth/tooth problem. People are posting that there are many very valid reasons that it wouldn’t work for a large number of people. I personally have, not only taken a child to Mexico for dental care, ( I’m lucky and have a father who lives in SoCal and flexible work), I’ve also done medical tourism in Costa Rica for major surgery. So I’m sympathetic to the part of you that truly believes this knowledge could help some people. But until you acknowledge the insult inherent in the rest of that first post, and that not everyone by any long shot has the means to fix or replace their teeth, you will be getting pushback. To the peas in general: I would like to point out that sometimes the most attractive option is not the healthiest either. A poster above me mentioned veneers, which requires filing away a large part of healthy tooth, and only last about ten years. And for me, I could have gotten dentures and had a beautiful smile in early adulthood, but it would have been very bad for my mouth in the long run. So the judgement that attractive teeth are the healthiest reminds me of the similar judgement that thin people are always healthier. Not always, and we should all be careful not to think like this. If you just can’t stand the way people missing teeth or overweight people look, own it. Don’t try to mask it with talk of health. Oops—I went off on a tangent. But I’m not going to erase it.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,397
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Apr 27, 2021 7:38:37 GMT
It would depend on the reason. If it was health related, then I’’d give them a pass.
One thing I can’t get past is halitosis.
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Post by peace on Apr 27, 2021 12:10:19 GMT
TEETH SHOULD NOT BE A LUXURY ITEM
the fact that, in this country (USA), the average person cannot afford dental procedures is appalling.
I would say that many years ago, I was shallow about certain things. For me, I wanted a man with nice teeth and I wanted him to be taller than me. I thought those were some pretty reasonable things. And frankly, I didn't see them as shallow at the time.
I met the most amazing human being after my divorce that has severe dental issues. It is genetic. He takes better care of his mouth than any person I have ever known. He broke a tooth eating cauliflower. Cauliflower that was cooked. The color of his teeth are not the standard white either but again, it's genetics. The dentist said he was handed a crappy hand in that department.
This man doesn't smile with an open mouth- EVER. This has profoundly affected everything in his life. And I see how people judge him when they catch a glimpse. He had lived paycheck to paycheck for several years as this began to worsen because he was paying cash for two kids to go to college so they wouldn't have student debt. He put himself last and now things are just getting worse.
The money we will have to spend to get this going will be tens of thousands. To start.
Let's not forget that as some people throw around "just get dentures"- there is a HUGE emotional piece to having all of your teeth pulled. And as someone mentioned, even when you choose that route if it's possible, you have to heal before you get those dentures so you toothless for a while. My nephew's gf had parents that never took her to the dentist and by 21, she had to have full dentures and while she is happy now- it was a pretty traumatizing experience.
He has to have another tooth pulled tomorrow. They say it isn't worth saving. Just to pull that tooth it's $1200.
We are getting him a solid plan to move forward with a treatment. We have had issues finding the right dentist. But no one should have to live with missing teeth - I am grateful he can get dentures or bridges and I fully realize not everyone has those options. I am thankful we will be able to pay for this over time. Not everyone has those options either.
So I will say it again- TEETH SHOULD NOT BE A LUXURY ITEM.
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Post by mellyw on Apr 27, 2021 19:52:26 GMT
This is a tough one. I absolutely know the reality of what people see with missing teeth. It’s not a joke when I say I went thru hell and back for 15 years trying to save my teeth. The list is extensive and sad. Over 30 Root Canals, paid for lots and lots of crowns that just ended up pulled. Tons of infections, lived on antibiotics for a couple years. All of that earned me a horrible medical condition that will be with me for the rest of my life, that requires 2 different medications to keep under control.
Unfortunately, in the United States it’s drilled into us from a young age that you’re gross, unworthy if you don’t have perfect teeth. The amount of money put into my teeth just to have to have them removed in the end is staggering. From my parents paying for braces to all the work I paid for as an adult.
I paid for top of the line dentures, because theoretically I’d have them for a long time (I was 44 when I had them done). I’m extremely lucky that I could afford it. I carried 2 dental insurances for a couple years for a reason. Saying that, I still have around $100,000 total I’ve shelled out over the years.
The absolute horrible irony in all this? I still have problems that make wearing the dentures a nightmare for me. When the medical condition I have flares up from time to time, I can’t wear the dentures. And I’ve developed TMJ since having my teeth removed that my dentist and I are still trying to figure out. The TMJ is caused by the dentures, so again wearing them can be painful for me.
I’m so terribly grateful my DH has made it very clear he loves me, teeth or not. Having no teeth/bad teeth is so incredibly embarrassing, it’s altered who I am. When I can’t wear the dentures, I become reclusive. I know how society see’s me.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Apr 27, 2021 20:57:37 GMT
This is a tough one. I absolutely know the reality of what people see with missing teeth. It’s not a joke when I say I went thru hell and back for 15 years trying to save my teeth. The list is extensive and sad. Over 30 Root Canals, paid for lots and lots of crowns that just ended up pulled. Tons of infections, lived on antibiotics for a couple years. All of that earned me a horrible medical condition that will be with me for the rest of my life, that requires 2 different medications to keep under control. Unfortunately, in the United States it’s drilled into us from a young age that you’re gross, unworthy if you don’t have perfect teeth. The amount of money put into my teeth just to have to have them removed in the end is staggering. From my parents paying for braces to all the work I paid for as an adult. I paid for top of the line dentures, because theoretically I’d have them for a long time (I was 44 when I had them done). I’m extremely lucky that I could afford it. I carried 2 dental insurances for a couple years for a reason. Saying that, I still have around $100,000 total I’ve shelled out over the years. The absolute horrible irony in all this? I still have problems that make wearing the dentures a nightmare for me. When the medical condition I have flares up from time to time, I can’t wear the dentures. And I’ve developed TMJ since having my teeth removed that my dentist and I are still trying to figure out. The TMJ is caused by the dentures, so again wearing them can be painful for me. I’m so terribly grateful my DH has made it very clear he loves me, teeth or not. Having no teeth/bad teeth is so incredibly embarrassing, it’s altered who I am. When I can’t wear the dentures, I become reclusive. I know how society see’s me. mellyw I am so sorry you have gone through this. My own personal experiences make me able to empathize completely. The pain, shame. expense, frustration, and disappointment. I know it all.
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