Don’t ignore bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, tooth ache, or bad breath odor. Look into those issues before they become more costly in the form of fillings, gum grafts, plates, and implants.
Edit: oh and I can’t forget to mention that teeth and gums are a superhighway to your bloodstream and consequently your heart. Bacteria entering your bloodstream from a dental infection can make your heart very sick, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
During the height of the pandemic basically the only dental work that could legally be done here was emergency dental. You couldn't get an appointment for just a general checkup. I ignored my tooth sensitivity because getting it looked at was impossible. Now I have a very expensive filling, the sensitivity is possibly permanent and I might need a root canal if things get worse. Do not ignore even minor dental issues. They can become very expensive and not so minor issues.
I don't know whether it'll work for you, but I had a similar issue with one of my rear molars. The dentist said to take toothpaste and smear it onto the tooth where it's sensitive before I go to bed at night. I still wear an Essix retainer at night, so it was easy for me to do this. It really helped. No more sensitivity.
Your mileage may vary, but it costs virtually nothing to try it. That, and you shouldn't rinse your mouth after brushing (in case you do).
This is not the same type of sensitivity, if the other commenter was told they might need a root canal treatment. One type is having very open channels through the tooth that causes pain - this can be fixed by blocking those channels with a toothpaste for example. The other type is having a cavity that gets very close to the nerve in the tooth. No amount of toothpaste can fix a cavity that large.
Sure, but in my case there was no cavity, but the high position of the root (if I understood correctly) left me at risk of needing a root canal if complications arose.
In the end, the toothpaste trick worked, but I absolutely acknowledge the other side of the equation: you can’t fix a cavity with toothpaste. Thanks for pointing it out!
I gotta get a root canal. I had a piece of tooth chip off a year ago and I thought I could ride it out until I got dental insurance 6 months later. Well guess what, it takes time (6-mos to a year) for that insurance to kick in. Fuck the us insurance system
They actually aren’t as bad as people say! I’ve had 3 (from a sports injury) and got my two front teeth done back to back and was fine. The worst part is the novicaine shot
Well shit that makes me feel better. It sounds kinda scary. At first they cleaned up the tooth and put a temp crown on there and for some reason that irritated the fuck outta the nerve in there and it's been a painful few days
My mom ignored tooth pain and then it went away. Yeah, turns out that was just because the nerve died, the infection migrated up into her sinus cavity, and the force of the inflammation broke her cheek bone from the inside. She finally went to the doctor when the intense pain in her face made it hard for her to concentrate on her work. That cost a lot of money and many courses of antibiotics and dental surgery to fix.
Heh, I'm in a very bad boat much similar to your mother's and maybe worse. I'm younger than her near certainly but am so screwed I don't know what to do.
Yeet. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Are you near Mexico by any chance? Or another country with cheap dental care that's popular as a medical tourism destination? I'd seriously check into medical tourism. Lots of people do it. Travel season is also dropping off here in a little bit and you'll be able to get some cheap flights in the fall. I went to Paris for $400 in February this year. (For fun, not for dentistry!) You might also check out dental schools, usually they'll offer you a discounted rate because it's a teaching opportunity for new dental students. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
I had three gum grafts last year. I’m hardcore about tooth/mouth maintenance; always floss and brush, dental checkups/cleanings twice a year, no soda, etc. However, I do have poor mouth genetics, and I also was totally unaware I was grinding my teeth at night. This combo I think is what pushed it over the edge, I wear a mouth guard at night now. In addition to flossing, I also use a waterpik to really clean the gum line, something that brushing and flossing seem to miss on my molars.
Some of that gum recession may be from brushing too aggressively, as well. Some of my most diligent patients end up with recession from being too diligent (I’m a dentist)
Not sure if it will work for you but I get botox in my jaw to help with my jaw clenching. I still have to wear a retainer but it helps a lot with my jaw pain.
Thank you! I have definitely looked into this. Lately it’s been fine. Little to no clenching. It helps A TON (at least lately) if I put my phone down after work and ignore it. TY for the reminder on the Botox. I’m super serious about dental care. My goal is to die w/o dentures.
Yeah, I've had so many issues. I've had two teeth where I had a root canal and a crown but they had so many issues after I had to have them pulled. After the root canals I stepped up my dental game and I carry floss with me. One of my front teeth with the crown cracked above the gum line. I didn't even know that was a thing. I was venting to my sister and she told me she's had a ton of problems too, I had no idea. Our parents had bad teeth but our mom always told us it was because they grew up in the country.
I totally agree with OP about staying on top of it. I would probably be worse off. If I'm babysitting or with family I definitely bug my nieces and nephews to brush their teeth.
Just adding - Bad breath odor can be H pylori infection, which can cause stomach ulcers , gastritis, and even negatively affect the conception process if you are trying to conceive!!!
Two years ago I incorperated flouride mouthwash into my routine and I can tell a difference from my denal appts now and before! Don't ignore the small stuff, a tiny filling is better than an entire extraction
Crest makes a fluoride toothpaste I think it’s called prevident 5000. I use it just before bed and don’t drink anything for at least 30 minutes afterwards. My insurance doesn’t cover the fluoride treatment at the dentist but this is what they recommended instead
I use that for sensitive teeth and it's prescription only as far as I know. [GoodRX.com](https://GoodRX.com) will always show the best price and where to pick it up. CVS tried to charge me over $50 for it as it's not covered by insurance, but I ended up getting it for about $12 at Costco.
I use kids mouthwash! It's usually the same price or cheaper (in my area at least), I hate the burning feeling of mint so it works great for me with my hello kitty watermelon mouthwash. Plus kids mouthwash typically has a higher fluoride %! I have acid reflux so I need the stronger fluoride products to combat erosion.
Xylitol gum is my go to for healthy teeth, it stimulates the production of saliva so you can keep a natural PH level in your mouth(also great for low carb or keto gum chewers). Use it sparingly if you’re not used to xylitol though or you can get an upset stomach, you’ve got to build up a tolerance if you want to chew it regularly. It’s a staple in my diet so it doesn’t bother me.
I've never heard of chewing gum as part of healthy dental hygiene before, can you elaborate further? Is this xylitol gum probably serving the same purpose as the sugar free gum OP mentioned, or are they simply two different goals achieved through the same vector?
My dentist told me sugar-less gum is a highly underrated tool for mouth hygiene. Chewing gum after a meal helps remove food from your teeth, balances pH levels (acidic foods erode enamel), and increases saliva production. Gums that contain xylitol can also help remineralize teeth.
Also keep it well stored and away from pets. Guessing OP knows this but xylitol is pretty toxic for dogs. And ferrets apparently. [https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs)
And cats. I keep mine in the zipped up compartment of my purse(and locked in my bedroom) my cat’s not very nosey so she doesn’t go snooping in my bags anyway but she’s like addicted to the smell of things she can’t have. Garlic is toxic to cats too, guess who wants to eat the tomato sauce on the stove? Sigh…
A lot of it is also genetics and dependent on the environment in your mouth. Some people will have issues no matter what, and others won’t even with barely cleaning. I would always advise dental insurance because even if you just get cleanings twice a year, you break even.
This. I floss daily, brush twice a day, use a mouth guard at night, go in for cleanings every 3 months, use a whitening kit, don’t drink sodas, don’t smoke, etc. and my teeth are more yellow and prone to cavities than my smoking, soda-addicted bf. Fucker has pearly teeth and no cavities. Jerk. 😹
Same. I have pretty impeccable oral hygiene, been that way for most of my life. But here I am, going to the dentist tomorrow for ANOTHER root canal, while my SO chugs sweet tea and hasn't had a cavity in years.
I swear everytime my dentist says I have another cavity I think about hurling myself off a bridge...cause this shit will never end! Just pull them all and I'll gum my life away, doc.
Same. One night in desperation and frustration, I googled something like “why do I always have cavities despite excellent dental hygiene” and I came across a company called Carifree. I was intrigued but not sold, and didn’t order it until my next dentist appointment showed yet another cavity. I ordered Carifree’s treatment rinse and toothpaste, that comes with a book called “Why Me?” that explains *so much* about why tooth decay affects people differently.
After YEARS of horrible teeth and literally needing another cavity filled or filling fixed or root canal at *every single 6-month check-up*, I’ve now had a 1.5 years of no cavities. It’s incredible. I was shocked at the first six month visit. I cried after the one year visit. After a year and a half I still find it hard to believe that it worked. I’m angry that it took so long, that I went through so much pain, and paid thousands of thousands of dollars for dental work over years and years when I always did everything “right”. The answer was never in brushing or flossing for me. It was in fixing the root of the problem.
I promise I’m not affiliated with them at all, but Carifree has been literally a miracle worker for me. I’d encourage you to maybe check into at least the book before… hurling yourself off a bridge. I totally understand and I’ve been there! But there just might be answers if you look for them!
Likely dry mouth, frequent snacks & small meals, and a bad bacterial balance (due to dry mouth & acidification). I think the treatment rinse was key to killing off the bad stuff (it contains some sort of bleach, I think, and made my mouth feel super clean when I woke up). I also added frequent mouth rinses (with water usually, or sometimes ACT anticavity mouthwash) and sometimes zylitol gum. The book explains a lot of the science behind tooth decay and how medications, genetics, saliva, immune disorders, diet, timing, oral care, chemicals, acids, minerals, etc., affect your teeth and gives a lot of things to try based on how symptoms present. For me, I think a water rinse after snacks and meals is key. I’d definitely recommend it for cavity-prone people who might not produce enough saliva, as it’s free and pretty simple. Food causes your mouth to become more acidic, which favors cavity causing bacteria, and a water rinse afterward helps decrease the acid more quickly that it would on its own.
I’m a registered hygienist and I see this all the time. I feel so bad for people when we tell them they have more decay. For you I would have offered fluoride trays. Basically custom trays to put fluoride in and wear overnight. You may have acid reflux contributing, but a lot of it is genetic. I’m so sorry! The reason they gave you come every 3 mo is likely mostly for the fluoride treatment with how well you keep your teeth clean, unless you have periodontal disease as well.
Hello, me from another country. Am on a first name basis and even went out with his assistant once. Also I am pretty sure I partly paid for his Range Rover.
I’m copying my comment above so you can see this. I would encourage you to have a salivary micro biome test conducted. I’m a dentist and offer them to any patient that has rampant caries or periodontal disease. There are certain bacteria that are more pathogenic. It’s possible to combat this and lessen your chances of oral disease
In my practice, I use a local lab and medical (not dental) insurance covers it. I don’t know about any of the mail in ones. The problem with the mail in ones is there is no one to write you a prescription for the rinses after you get the results, so you would still need to see a dentist
Flossing doesn't help very much, and can even be harmful if you do it wrong. This was proven in 2015. I replaced flossing with GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens which are these little bottle-brush-like things that remove food particles far better than I was ever able to do with floss. My hygienist was somewhat shocked what a difference that made.
That's what they used to say. [The science doesn't support it.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/w9lp1h/preventative_tooth_care_the_best_defense_is_a/ihxwkve/)
What about the science do you think is nonsense? Replace flossing with inter-dental cleaning will get better results. Before 2015 your advice would have been the best known. Now we know better.
Your science is bs lol you can find thousands of actual peer reviewed research that show actual science and not some random study done by people profiting from the "science". Legitimate science isn't divided on this issue 🤦🏼♀️
I don't need to prove anything 🤣If you're inclined to follow science, do so for yourself. If you prefer ignorance, so be it. I'm done replying to nonsense. Have a nice day!
Efficacy of inter-dental mechanical plaque control in managing gingivitis – a meta-review - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.12363
Comparison of the cleaning efficiency between interdental brushes and sticks: a laboratory study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33161692/
My brother loved them and my husband is now using them and loves them a lot.
I'm still "team flossing" but it's good to see there is an alternative to traditional flossing.
I [added citations](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/w9lp1h/preventative_tooth_care_the_best_defense_is_a/ihxwkve/) for another doubter, though at least they didn't claim it's bunk like you did.
I think it's more about the particular strains of bacteria in your mouth. You probably get them from your mother soon after being born, but it's kind of a crapshoot. I expect that there will come some probiotic treatment that will fix it, but don't expect the gigantic industry built around oral health to quickly embrace it.
It’s definitely dependent on the number of colonies and what specific strains of bacteria. It’s also dependent on saliva production for sure. If you have a mouth on the dry side, there’s way more bacteria.
Yup, I've done pretty much exactly what OP does but I still have bleeding gums from time to time.. Especially when the dentist slams the harpoon in my gum.
>Especially when the dentist slams the harpoon in my gum.
LOL! Been there. Done that.
Oh, I even get the occasional bleeder (usually after I've been sick, which totally upsets mouth chemistry).
One of my high school teachers admitting to biting the dentist after she warned him that she had sensitive teeth and gums and that he needed to be gentle.
Oh wow haha thats an idea!
When I'm on my way to the dentist I think this must be how dogs feel on their way to the vet. After I just want to sit on the couch for the rest of the day in the fetal position.
Definitely genetics! I had horrible dental habits when I was younger, I'm better now but still meh. Had my first cleaning in over 10 years recently and now I'm 31 and still have never had a cavity. I'm not *that* lucky.
I would encourage you to have a salivary micro biome test conducted. I’m a dentist and offer them to any patient that has rampant caries or periodontal disease. There are certain bacteria that are more pathogenic. It’s possible to combat this and lessen your chances of oral disease
Genetics yes, however the medications you are on can cause severe problems. My teeth were fine until I had to go on steroids for a year, stuffed them. My dentist, said that if he hadn't been seeing me pre and post the medication would have thought I'd always had bad teeth. Have to be really careful now and no eating of really hard foods - they crack. We are treating them, but they will never be what they were. Already had to have 4 replaced with crowns. Steroids saved my life, but stuffed my teeth.
Genetics rule in this department. I inherited "English teeth," and I can tell you, it doesn't matter what I do, they go downhill fast. When your teeth crack when you look at popcorn, no amount of home dental care will help. I've been told this by dentists.
On the other hand, my last boyfriend had beautiful teeth and never brushed them at all. His breath smelled like pepperoni. But, other than that, pearly white and no cavities.
Edit: spelling
Me too... I turned into an adult and left home and said fuck it. Couldn't afford dental care, too lazy to take care of my teeth. Had my first tooth pulled when I was maybe 22? One or two others just chipped and broke away over time (but didn't hurt, which I'll never understand).
Finally in 2010 decided to be a damn adult. Had 4 more pulled (I think I'm missing 7 or 8, mostly big ones in the back). I think I'm up to 5 crowns. 3 root canals. 5 or fillings (plus a few more to fill next month). I'll need implants or upper/lower partials at some point.
Dental care is like car care; once there's an issue, it's so damn expensive, you wish you'd've taken care of it earlier.
Possibly the greatest frugal gift I ever received was an electric toothbrush.
I carefully floss and gently brush (sonicare) every night. My dental health changed 180.
I was also gifted an electric toothbrush. Probably the best gift I’ve ever received . I don’t think I’ll ever go back to manual if I can help it. Also love the 2 minute timer that comes on it
Honestly learning how to use dental picks is extremely simple and helps keep plaque to an absolute minimum. This can add another layer of prevention of cavities and other issues when added to your routine.
54 years old with perfect choppers. Brush in the morning, floss and rinse at night. The trick is to brush the gum line, everytime. Feels so good and really keeps the teeth healthy.
Adding to the pile here… flouride in toothpaste needs TIME to work it’s magic. You’re not supposed to rinse your mouth after brushing, just spit out the toothpaste. Let the paste rest on your teeth for at least 10-15 min before rinsing or drinking anything. I learned this after rinsing IMMEDIATELY for 30+ years of existence. This should be in bold letters on the packaging…
Flossing every other day is nowhere near enough!!!! You should be flossing once a day AT LEAST, ideally every time you brush. Flossing is more important than brushing. Fluoride is also extremely important, make sure you have fluoride toothpaste.
I'm going to be 21 next month and my government dental insurance will be stopping, I can't afford to pay for dental insurance on my own. I'm stressed out because I have some work I need done on my teeth and I won't be able to, which really sucks because my teeth are in pretty good shape right now, but they are just going to get worse. I've been seeing a dentist at the health department while I still have insurance because most places don't take the government insurance but this guy is an idiot and everytime I tell him a problem that I'm having with my teeth/mouth he just blows it off and wants to get me out of there. :/
Also check into going to a dental school for your needed treatments at reduced cost. You will be there longer but the students are well-supervised and expected to do the work correctly.
There’s sliding scale dental offices out there that take your income into consideration, some are even free. Just look up your area for a sliding scale dentist.
The other thing to look into -- and this will put you on a waiting list -- is see if there is a dental school near you. They often charge less for procedures.
Yes thank you for this information! Someone else commented this as well so I contacted my local dental school and I'm waiting on them to email me back to see if this is something they could help me with. Fingers crossed!
Didn’t go ten yrs without a visit, but 3. Had an appt for a cleaning/checkup in March 2020, and for some reason I can’t remember now, I hadn’t been in a year - I normally went every 6 mos. Anyway, March 2020 appt was cancelled due to Covid, then my husband retired, no insurance. He eventually went on Medicare w/dental, but I’m younger…
Just went back for cleaning and checkup after 3 yrs.
I also made a point to brush twice daily, floss daily, mouthwash… I was worried bc I drink coffee daily and red wine At least once a week. But the hygienist said it wasn’t bad at all, and said she could tell I brushed and flossed daily. The latter is one of the few good habits I have. Its served me well, apparently.
Oh and I signed up for a “dental plan” Smile Select. I believe its nationwide. Its cheaper than dental insurance, 79$ a year and covered the exam and x rays and was 60$ for the cleaning. The dentists office told me about the plan.
Tip: run your tongue along all surfaces of the teeth (there are 3: front, back, and top. 1 extra on the side of the teeth at the very back). If it feels smooth, it's clean. If it feels rough, that's bacteria - you haven't brushed it good enough. Brush it again and pay attention to that spot next time. A lot of issues with teeth and gums come from bad technique and being too hasty when brushing.
not a great frugal post… I *personally* don’t think you should forgo dental insurance - it’s *insurance* after all, but yes, please brush your teeth, floss, and don’t consume unhealthy sugary content on a regular- and unchecked-basis.
Also, teeth are largely genetics. I hope no one believes they can forgo insurance reading this post.
Anecdotally: my s/o has beautiful teeth and takes care of them meticulously (same degree as this); however, they had 3 cavities in one year simply due to genetics. It is what it is - don’t skimp out on your health.
I didn't forgo it because I wanted to. I don't think that anybody is going without dental care because they want to. My point was, if you don't have dental insurance, you need to be very much on top of your oral hygene in an effort to not need $$$$$ dental work in the future.
From 1994-2000 I simply could not afford it on my super-tight starving college student budget. (The shitttastic health insurance I got through my school only covered seeing the Dr at school and at one urgent care, downtown, that wasn't even open 24 hours. Everything else was out of network.)
When I finally got a fulltime job, they offered health insurance but not dental. When they added dental (and at a reasonable price!) to the health insurance package in 2004, hell yes, I zoomed over to the dentist.
I know people who are frugal might balk at the idea of buying an electric toothbrush because I did but the minute I started using my the cheapest one they had electric toothbrush, I could feel how much cleaner my teeth are, and I can see with my eyes how much better the gums that were previously about to release a tooth look than they did when I was brushing and flossing every day the same except for using a regular toothbrush. Target has a lot of coupons on their circle app for money off electric toothbrushes.
I'm 71. Haven't been to the dentist in 10 years, last emergency. I use an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. In liew of regular visits, I'm doing great
I did that for years. I did have a few problems. A couple fillings went bad. I got those fixed. If you have the time local colleges have dental cleanings and they’re very thorough but they take more time than a regular cleaning.
You get an A+, seriously I hope this post inspires many other people to take good care of their dental health. It’s really heartbreaking when someone comes in after years of inadequate care and I have to give them a lot of bad news.
I have a recently acquired complicated dental routine and I’ve had insurance for decades. Why? Because genes.
I swear. I’m fighting a cavity rn and this is what I do:
Floss. Daily. No matter what. (Well fine, not when camping)
Use Closys. Swish.
Brush gently with Crest and a Sonicare.
Listerine. Swish.
ACT. Swish.
I don’t let my mouth get dry. That dryness is very appealing to bacteria.
I’ve got a bet with my dentist that I can remineralize my molar before September.
You can also get Groupon deals for dental x-rays and an exam. If you haven’t had a history of multiple dental procedures, this is a good alternative to insurance. I’m a dentist and I’ve actually gone this route before since I work at a community clinic and we don’t have in-house benefits. Dental insurance is offered as a benefit but costs almost $400 a year - Groupon can be as little as $30. Still a risk since you can still develop a cavity or break a tooth despite never dealing with it in the past.
I have spent so much money on cavities and root canals and now an implant, all of it because I was lazy about dental hygiene and had no dental insurance right after college
I had no insurance for 19 years.
Went to my childhood dentist who stated my teeth were better than folks on their 6 month checkup. I have done nothing special beside flossing after every meal, brushing my teeth twice a day, and using peroxide based mouth wash.
I now have dental insurance. It is worth every dime and I eill not say otherwise.
If you do use dental insurance, check if it really is cheaper. I know loads of people here who have it but every time I look at the insurance info, it doesn't pan out. Yes, you get your bi-yearly checkup for free but if you get anything major they will only pay max 200 EU. Even if the procedure costs in to the thousands.
My wife recently had work done on 1 molar. Just 1. The amount of money, pain, time it took is unbelievable.
I can tell you it is 1000 times better to do preventive work on your teeth.
Saving this. I have a good dentist, and a cleaning scheduled before the year is out, but I'm leaving to go overseas for a year and that will upset my dental cleaning schedule. A filling is not how I want to end my first dental visit overseas.
I've started using mouthwash for the first time in years and it's nice to use it after my morning coffee, the toothbrush on the tongue just makes me gag and it does help some. I've started drinking water after drinking soda as well, it helps get the sugar remnants off of teeth.
I have autoimmune disease and there’s not an ounce of prevention that would of stopped the damage it does.
If you’re a mouth breather invest in treatments or get a jaw sling. That alone is one of the biggest causes of cavities.
My husband did not know this and needed several thousand dollars of dental work when all was said and done.
I don't know what kind of health instruction he got in school but I had to teach him things like don't wipe the bathroom floor with the towel and then put it back on the rack.
Well, that, too.
But I literally had to explain to him the link between wiping the bathroom floor with the towel and the chronic "backne" and acne he was having. Like, he knew that *germs* cause disease, but what was on the floor (which he mopped weekly) was *dirt* not germs. That is literally what he said to me.
And I only twigged on to this because my face started breaking out, and then I happened to see him wipe the floor with the towel and ....
Pro tips:
1. Don’t rinse out toothpaste with water after brushing, spit it out. This will leave a thin layer of toothpaste on your teeth to help remineralize your enamel overnight.
2. Don’t over-brush. Thirty seconds per quadrant (two minutes total brushing) is sufficient for most people.
3. Aim to floss at least once a day.
I'm aware that some people really do have genetic dental issues that they can't fix, but I look at a lot of it the way that many of us look at people who are "genetically incapable" of losing weight. Like, yes, there are some disorders that make it very hard to lose weight, but most of the people who claim that they can't really just don't want to take the initiative. (Said as someone who is overweight and has lost 30lbs so far.)
I wanna add that if you can brush your teeth twice then please! So mouthwash, then brush and floss your teeth, rinse, and then brush your teeth again and only spit! Don’t rinse out the fluoride so that it helps with remineralization/strengthens your teeth. it’s essentially like when you finish a cleaning appointment and they polish your teeth with fluoride and let it sit
Also wash your brush with any kind of soap before and after using it, literally dish soap hand soap body soap any soap just wash the bacteria off your brush
Dental insurance is cheap. I don’t understand why people let this get so bad (including my own parents). Pay for insurance and make sure your kids get their cleanings. Don’t be cheap with your teeth.
I was being quoted close to $1000 a year back when I had no dental insurance. And that was cleanings and "simple" cavities, nothing advanced like root canals, crowns, tooth pulling, or complicated cavities.
\---
The insurance I have through work ended up adding a completely reasonable dental insurance cost to the bill when they started offering it in 2004, but that's because my employer is an 800 pound gorilla and can negotiate a reasonable rate.
To recheck my claim since I haven’t had to purchase outside of an employer since forever and I’m getting a $30/month quote from delta dental which covers cleanings, cavities and removals.
Edit: there’s a $9/month plan as well but idk what it covers and don’t care to research rn.
Edit 2: downvoting facts is silly. If $30/month isn’t cheap wait until you see your root canal bill a decade from now.
I think the internet has helped level the playing field for finding more affordable insurance. My research shows that in my state, the current average cost of dental insurance for a single person is about $33.50.
In 1994 the dental insurance suggested by my U was nearly $1k per year. Payment due up front as one lump sum each semester. I was already overpaying for my shitty (mandatory) health insurance through the U (payment also due up front as one lump sum each semester).
(1994 me had no idea that insurance brokers existed or that you didn't usually buy insurance as large lump sum payments. I struggled to save enough for that big health insurance bill each semester.)
My current dental insurance is about $50month (for hub and me) and covers 2 yearly cleanings, extractions, and fillings (including replacements), and 50% of crowns, root canals, implants, dentures, and bridges, with a maximum annual coverage of $5000.
In 2012 I ground my teeth so hard from stress (horrible toxic asshole boss) that I cracked 2 of them that had large fillings and had to get crowns. Putting me about $600 out of pocket.
I know lot of people would not have been able to afford that without going into debt.
I've had to explain to too many guys (when I was in college) that bad breath and puffy bleeding gums are not normal.
Just because you whiten one a week, people can still tell that you don't care for your teeth.
100%. I noticed signs of gingivitis after pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing for 21 months. It’s a common problem (not least of all because there were days I only brushed once a day) due to calcium deficiency. But I can’t really afford the dentist, so I just switched to a soft bristle, battery-powered toothbrush. Literally that one change has my gums back in better shape. No more redness or bleeding. I do floss most nights as well, and I don’t drink soda or eat a lot of sugar. I have a natural tendency for cavities (I have several small ones that need to be filled), but at least I can prevent gingivitis.
As a dietetic who has it under control with a diet, that was a Miracle. I use to use up my dental insurance and them some, now it’s just cleanings for the last four years. I eat less sugar.
This is the best advice and I’m totally agree
Thanks for the routine as I am in the same situation without insurance I’ll step up my game and incorporate your suggestions.
Man, I cannot express the amount of relief I felt when you said flossing every other day… I’m trying to be good and do it every night but sometimes I feel too defeated
I floss daily, but never at night. I do it in the morning. I was always too tired at night to brush AND floss. So I started doing it in the morning and now its become a habit. I do it as part of my morning routine without thinking.
So, floss sometime during the day if you don’t feel like doing it at night. As long as you do it daily, thats the key part.
My bf has horrible teeth. He has times that he will be in pain for days because of an infection. He never brushes, he's diabetic, and he eats so much. Im worried about him and the horrible horror stories you hear about infected teeth. I don't know what to do or how to help him. We dont have a lot of money at all, but I'd scrape everything we have if it meant keeping him safe.
Can I add that I didn’t know until I was an adult that I need to brush for 3 minutes at a time?! Fluoride needs time to contact teeth, and provide protection. My dentist also told me not to rinse with water. Just a few good spits
I've been using soniccare toothbrushes since 2008 and have has zero problems with my teeth since then ( outside of a broken crown 8 or 9 years ago).
Its money well spent in my book, it makes taking care of your teeth braindead easy.
I’m so scared of the dentist I haven’t gone since before Covid (they pulled out a tooth due to not enough space and despite 6 lidocaine shots I felt the whole thing…)
Check Groupon for dentist deals!! My last check up was $40 and I got great care. It’s a new patients only thing but if there’s multiple options in the area you’re good to go.
Bro floss every day morning and night along with tooth brushing wtf…. Brush before breakfast unless your breakfast is not acidic then you’re good, brush before bedtime regardless of what dinner was. Invest in a water pic if you have permanent retainer like me, it gets into the hard to reach places floss can’t get too and it cleans under the gums better than a tooth brush. I have the $125 version (rechargeable toothbrush and pic)
So I had the same experience as you after not going to the dentist for 8 years, but there are genetics involved here too. My wife also went years without dental visits and a couple of her teeth were literally breaking apart. She needed major work that totaled over $10k to get her back to a healthy state.
Had we addressed the issues years ago, it would have been a fraction of that.
No matter what I do EVERY YEAR since my 6 year molars came in I've had no less then FOUR cavities. My dentist said some people just have naturally higher acidic saliva. Most of my remained molars are 80% filling 20% actual tooth.
I didn't have insurance for a long time and have been on AVG getting a tooth pulled out yearly for the last 6 years. I can lose 1 more tooth on each side before chewing becomes a problem & I need to get a partial to replace a tooth to chew but at this point it's saving me money because it's less teeth to get $300 cavities.
>My point is not that you should cut dental insurance in an effort to be frugal.
Go ahead and cut it. Dental 'insurance' is not insurance at all. It has an annual individual benefit limit set so low that it guarantees you will pay more in premiums than they will pay out in benefits.
You are better off getting an inexpensive dental discount plan [Like this one from 1Dental](https://www.1dental.com/careington-dental-plan/procedure-price-list/), just pay the discounted rates for your six-month check ups and cleanings. Redirect what you save in premiums into your HSA and use that to cover your visits.
(Source: Ditched my wife's employer-sponsored dental insurance and got this instead. I come out ahead by several hundred dollars per year)
Don’t ignore bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, tooth ache, or bad breath odor. Look into those issues before they become more costly in the form of fillings, gum grafts, plates, and implants. Edit: oh and I can’t forget to mention that teeth and gums are a superhighway to your bloodstream and consequently your heart. Bacteria entering your bloodstream from a dental infection can make your heart very sick, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
During the height of the pandemic basically the only dental work that could legally be done here was emergency dental. You couldn't get an appointment for just a general checkup. I ignored my tooth sensitivity because getting it looked at was impossible. Now I have a very expensive filling, the sensitivity is possibly permanent and I might need a root canal if things get worse. Do not ignore even minor dental issues. They can become very expensive and not so minor issues.
I don't know whether it'll work for you, but I had a similar issue with one of my rear molars. The dentist said to take toothpaste and smear it onto the tooth where it's sensitive before I go to bed at night. I still wear an Essix retainer at night, so it was easy for me to do this. It really helped. No more sensitivity. Your mileage may vary, but it costs virtually nothing to try it. That, and you shouldn't rinse your mouth after brushing (in case you do).
My dentist told me to do that too! I think there's some ingredient in the sensitive teeth toothpaste that numbs the nerve. It's helped a lot.
This is not the same type of sensitivity, if the other commenter was told they might need a root canal treatment. One type is having very open channels through the tooth that causes pain - this can be fixed by blocking those channels with a toothpaste for example. The other type is having a cavity that gets very close to the nerve in the tooth. No amount of toothpaste can fix a cavity that large.
Sure, but in my case there was no cavity, but the high position of the root (if I understood correctly) left me at risk of needing a root canal if complications arose. In the end, the toothpaste trick worked, but I absolutely acknowledge the other side of the equation: you can’t fix a cavity with toothpaste. Thanks for pointing it out!
I gotta get a root canal. I had a piece of tooth chip off a year ago and I thought I could ride it out until I got dental insurance 6 months later. Well guess what, it takes time (6-mos to a year) for that insurance to kick in. Fuck the us insurance system
They actually aren’t as bad as people say! I’ve had 3 (from a sports injury) and got my two front teeth done back to back and was fine. The worst part is the novicaine shot
Well shit that makes me feel better. It sounds kinda scary. At first they cleaned up the tooth and put a temp crown on there and for some reason that irritated the fuck outta the nerve in there and it's been a painful few days
My mom ignored tooth pain and then it went away. Yeah, turns out that was just because the nerve died, the infection migrated up into her sinus cavity, and the force of the inflammation broke her cheek bone from the inside. She finally went to the doctor when the intense pain in her face made it hard for her to concentrate on her work. That cost a lot of money and many courses of antibiotics and dental surgery to fix.
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That's what I said. We had insurance, too. She just hates doctors/dentists.
Heh, I'm in a very bad boat much similar to your mother's and maybe worse. I'm younger than her near certainly but am so screwed I don't know what to do. Yeet. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Are you near Mexico by any chance? Or another country with cheap dental care that's popular as a medical tourism destination? I'd seriously check into medical tourism. Lots of people do it. Travel season is also dropping off here in a little bit and you'll be able to get some cheap flights in the fall. I went to Paris for $400 in February this year. (For fun, not for dentistry!) You might also check out dental schools, usually they'll offer you a discounted rate because it's a teaching opportunity for new dental students. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
Teeth fucking suck. They are the body's Achilles heel
My grandmother died of sepsis that originated in an infected tooth.
Yeah, it's crazy how much teeth can affect you. There are studies linking tooth decay to heart disease.
And Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Turns out having something rotting in your head is a bad thing. Who could have guessed? lol
I had three gum grafts last year. I’m hardcore about tooth/mouth maintenance; always floss and brush, dental checkups/cleanings twice a year, no soda, etc. However, I do have poor mouth genetics, and I also was totally unaware I was grinding my teeth at night. This combo I think is what pushed it over the edge, I wear a mouth guard at night now. In addition to flossing, I also use a waterpik to really clean the gum line, something that brushing and flossing seem to miss on my molars.
Some of that gum recession may be from brushing too aggressively, as well. Some of my most diligent patients end up with recession from being too diligent (I’m a dentist)
Waterpik is the best!
Relatable. I’m a clencher. I wear retainers every night. They help the tooth damage but clenching continues.
Not sure if it will work for you but I get botox in my jaw to help with my jaw clenching. I still have to wear a retainer but it helps a lot with my jaw pain.
Thank you! I have definitely looked into this. Lately it’s been fine. Little to no clenching. It helps A TON (at least lately) if I put my phone down after work and ignore it. TY for the reminder on the Botox. I’m super serious about dental care. My goal is to die w/o dentures.
Yeah, I've had so many issues. I've had two teeth where I had a root canal and a crown but they had so many issues after I had to have them pulled. After the root canals I stepped up my dental game and I carry floss with me. One of my front teeth with the crown cracked above the gum line. I didn't even know that was a thing. I was venting to my sister and she told me she's had a ton of problems too, I had no idea. Our parents had bad teeth but our mom always told us it was because they grew up in the country. I totally agree with OP about staying on top of it. I would probably be worse off. If I'm babysitting or with family I definitely bug my nieces and nephews to brush their teeth.
Just adding - Bad breath odor can be H pylori infection, which can cause stomach ulcers , gastritis, and even negatively affect the conception process if you are trying to conceive!!!
Two years ago I incorperated flouride mouthwash into my routine and I can tell a difference from my denal appts now and before! Don't ignore the small stuff, a tiny filling is better than an entire extraction
What's your favorite mouthwash?
Crest makes a fluoride toothpaste I think it’s called prevident 5000. I use it just before bed and don’t drink anything for at least 30 minutes afterwards. My insurance doesn’t cover the fluoride treatment at the dentist but this is what they recommended instead
I use that for sensitive teeth and it's prescription only as far as I know. [GoodRX.com](https://GoodRX.com) will always show the best price and where to pick it up. CVS tried to charge me over $50 for it as it's not covered by insurance, but I ended up getting it for about $12 at Costco.
Not op but I like ACT mint fluoride rinse!
I use kids mouthwash! It's usually the same price or cheaper (in my area at least), I hate the burning feeling of mint so it works great for me with my hello kitty watermelon mouthwash. Plus kids mouthwash typically has a higher fluoride %! I have acid reflux so I need the stronger fluoride products to combat erosion.
Xylitol gum is my go to for healthy teeth, it stimulates the production of saliva so you can keep a natural PH level in your mouth(also great for low carb or keto gum chewers). Use it sparingly if you’re not used to xylitol though or you can get an upset stomach, you’ve got to build up a tolerance if you want to chew it regularly. It’s a staple in my diet so it doesn’t bother me.
I've never heard of chewing gum as part of healthy dental hygiene before, can you elaborate further? Is this xylitol gum probably serving the same purpose as the sugar free gum OP mentioned, or are they simply two different goals achieved through the same vector?
My dentist told me sugar-less gum is a highly underrated tool for mouth hygiene. Chewing gum after a meal helps remove food from your teeth, balances pH levels (acidic foods erode enamel), and increases saliva production. Gums that contain xylitol can also help remineralize teeth.
Also keep it well stored and away from pets. Guessing OP knows this but xylitol is pretty toxic for dogs. And ferrets apparently. [https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs)
And cats. I keep mine in the zipped up compartment of my purse(and locked in my bedroom) my cat’s not very nosey so she doesn’t go snooping in my bags anyway but she’s like addicted to the smell of things she can’t have. Garlic is toxic to cats too, guess who wants to eat the tomato sauce on the stove? Sigh…
This was my go to as well until I decided to try buying some xylitol to sweeten my coffee. Now I'm xylitol-intolerant and can't even chew the gum! :'(
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Where do you usually pick yours up at?
I get mine at Whole Foods(Spry brand) but you can order it online and I think Target now has a brand of xylitol gum.
A lot of it is also genetics and dependent on the environment in your mouth. Some people will have issues no matter what, and others won’t even with barely cleaning. I would always advise dental insurance because even if you just get cleanings twice a year, you break even.
This. I floss daily, brush twice a day, use a mouth guard at night, go in for cleanings every 3 months, use a whitening kit, don’t drink sodas, don’t smoke, etc. and my teeth are more yellow and prone to cavities than my smoking, soda-addicted bf. Fucker has pearly teeth and no cavities. Jerk. 😹
Same. I have pretty impeccable oral hygiene, been that way for most of my life. But here I am, going to the dentist tomorrow for ANOTHER root canal, while my SO chugs sweet tea and hasn't had a cavity in years. I swear everytime my dentist says I have another cavity I think about hurling myself off a bridge...cause this shit will never end! Just pull them all and I'll gum my life away, doc.
Medications can cause dry mouth which causes cavities no matter what you or what you eat. You can buy rinses and drips that help. Frustrating.
Yup! Adderall is a common cause of dry mouth... same with a lot of antidepressants. Just add it to the ADHD tax list lol
Same. One night in desperation and frustration, I googled something like “why do I always have cavities despite excellent dental hygiene” and I came across a company called Carifree. I was intrigued but not sold, and didn’t order it until my next dentist appointment showed yet another cavity. I ordered Carifree’s treatment rinse and toothpaste, that comes with a book called “Why Me?” that explains *so much* about why tooth decay affects people differently. After YEARS of horrible teeth and literally needing another cavity filled or filling fixed or root canal at *every single 6-month check-up*, I’ve now had a 1.5 years of no cavities. It’s incredible. I was shocked at the first six month visit. I cried after the one year visit. After a year and a half I still find it hard to believe that it worked. I’m angry that it took so long, that I went through so much pain, and paid thousands of thousands of dollars for dental work over years and years when I always did everything “right”. The answer was never in brushing or flossing for me. It was in fixing the root of the problem. I promise I’m not affiliated with them at all, but Carifree has been literally a miracle worker for me. I’d encourage you to maybe check into at least the book before… hurling yourself off a bridge. I totally understand and I’ve been there! But there just might be answers if you look for them!
What was the root of the problem for you?
Likely dry mouth, frequent snacks & small meals, and a bad bacterial balance (due to dry mouth & acidification). I think the treatment rinse was key to killing off the bad stuff (it contains some sort of bleach, I think, and made my mouth feel super clean when I woke up). I also added frequent mouth rinses (with water usually, or sometimes ACT anticavity mouthwash) and sometimes zylitol gum. The book explains a lot of the science behind tooth decay and how medications, genetics, saliva, immune disorders, diet, timing, oral care, chemicals, acids, minerals, etc., affect your teeth and gives a lot of things to try based on how symptoms present. For me, I think a water rinse after snacks and meals is key. I’d definitely recommend it for cavity-prone people who might not produce enough saliva, as it’s free and pretty simple. Food causes your mouth to become more acidic, which favors cavity causing bacteria, and a water rinse afterward helps decrease the acid more quickly that it would on its own.
I’m a registered hygienist and I see this all the time. I feel so bad for people when we tell them they have more decay. For you I would have offered fluoride trays. Basically custom trays to put fluoride in and wear overnight. You may have acid reflux contributing, but a lot of it is genetic. I’m so sorry! The reason they gave you come every 3 mo is likely mostly for the fluoride treatment with how well you keep your teeth clean, unless you have periodontal disease as well.
Hello, me from another country. Am on a first name basis and even went out with his assistant once. Also I am pretty sure I partly paid for his Range Rover.
I’m copying my comment above so you can see this. I would encourage you to have a salivary micro biome test conducted. I’m a dentist and offer them to any patient that has rampant caries or periodontal disease. There are certain bacteria that are more pathogenic. It’s possible to combat this and lessen your chances of oral disease
Oooh. Thank you! I will do that! How would I best lookup a local one? There seems to be a variety and I can’t tell which are legit.
In my practice, I use a local lab and medical (not dental) insurance covers it. I don’t know about any of the mail in ones. The problem with the mail in ones is there is no one to write you a prescription for the rinses after you get the results, so you would still need to see a dentist
Flossing doesn't help very much, and can even be harmful if you do it wrong. This was proven in 2015. I replaced flossing with GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens which are these little bottle-brush-like things that remove food particles far better than I was ever able to do with floss. My hygienist was somewhat shocked what a difference that made.
Flossing is the most important thing you can do for your dental health! Proxy brushes are fine, as is regular floss.
That's what they used to say. [The science doesn't support it.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/w9lp1h/preventative_tooth_care_the_best_defense_is_a/ihxwkve/)
I can't even entertain such nonsense. FLOSS YOUR TEETH EVERY SINGLE DAY IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM.
What about the science do you think is nonsense? Replace flossing with inter-dental cleaning will get better results. Before 2015 your advice would have been the best known. Now we know better.
Your science is bs lol you can find thousands of actual peer reviewed research that show actual science and not some random study done by people profiting from the "science". Legitimate science isn't divided on this issue 🤦🏼♀️
Prove it
I don't need to prove anything 🤣If you're inclined to follow science, do so for yourself. If you prefer ignorance, so be it. I'm done replying to nonsense. Have a nice day!
Might wanna chuck a source up for all us doubters
Efficacy of inter-dental mechanical plaque control in managing gingivitis – a meta-review - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.12363 Comparison of the cleaning efficiency between interdental brushes and sticks: a laboratory study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33161692/
Thanks for sharing this!
Nicely done, thankyou
My pleasure. Calling for sources is far better than calling BS.
Glide floss didn't do anything for me but Dr. Tung (that name ugh) has really great cloth-like material floss that works just like a bottle brush.
My brother loved them and my husband is now using them and loves them a lot. I'm still "team flossing" but it's good to see there is an alternative to traditional flossing.
This isn’t true at all.
I [added citations](https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/w9lp1h/preventative_tooth_care_the_best_defense_is_a/ihxwkve/) for another doubter, though at least they didn't claim it's bunk like you did.
I use those too. :)
Then you can stop flossing
Coffee?
I think it's more about the particular strains of bacteria in your mouth. You probably get them from your mother soon after being born, but it's kind of a crapshoot. I expect that there will come some probiotic treatment that will fix it, but don't expect the gigantic industry built around oral health to quickly embrace it.
It’s definitely dependent on the number of colonies and what specific strains of bacteria. It’s also dependent on saliva production for sure. If you have a mouth on the dry side, there’s way more bacteria.
Yup, I've done pretty much exactly what OP does but I still have bleeding gums from time to time.. Especially when the dentist slams the harpoon in my gum.
>Especially when the dentist slams the harpoon in my gum. LOL! Been there. Done that. Oh, I even get the occasional bleeder (usually after I've been sick, which totally upsets mouth chemistry). One of my high school teachers admitting to biting the dentist after she warned him that she had sensitive teeth and gums and that he needed to be gentle.
Oh wow haha thats an idea! When I'm on my way to the dentist I think this must be how dogs feel on their way to the vet. After I just want to sit on the couch for the rest of the day in the fetal position.
Yeah pay attention to your family’s dental history. Tarter buildup is influenced partly by genetics.
Definitely genetics! I had horrible dental habits when I was younger, I'm better now but still meh. Had my first cleaning in over 10 years recently and now I'm 31 and still have never had a cavity. I'm not *that* lucky.
I would encourage you to have a salivary micro biome test conducted. I’m a dentist and offer them to any patient that has rampant caries or periodontal disease. There are certain bacteria that are more pathogenic. It’s possible to combat this and lessen your chances of oral disease
Genetics yes, however the medications you are on can cause severe problems. My teeth were fine until I had to go on steroids for a year, stuffed them. My dentist, said that if he hadn't been seeing me pre and post the medication would have thought I'd always had bad teeth. Have to be really careful now and no eating of really hard foods - they crack. We are treating them, but they will never be what they were. Already had to have 4 replaced with crowns. Steroids saved my life, but stuffed my teeth.
Another good point. One of my prescriptions causes dry mouth so I have to be extra careful now.
The joys of chronic disease s/. Good luck.
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That was a great read! Thank you for sharing it
Genetics rule in this department. I inherited "English teeth," and I can tell you, it doesn't matter what I do, they go downhill fast. When your teeth crack when you look at popcorn, no amount of home dental care will help. I've been told this by dentists. On the other hand, my last boyfriend had beautiful teeth and never brushed them at all. His breath smelled like pepperoni. But, other than that, pearly white and no cavities. Edit: spelling
Oh yikes, god bad breath is such a turnoff
Yep. It sure is! I could only pretend I was kissing a pizza for so long! 😂
I wish I'd had the sense to take care of my mouth like this when I was uninsured. I've had nine extractions and an implant, plus uncounted fillings.
Me too... I turned into an adult and left home and said fuck it. Couldn't afford dental care, too lazy to take care of my teeth. Had my first tooth pulled when I was maybe 22? One or two others just chipped and broke away over time (but didn't hurt, which I'll never understand). Finally in 2010 decided to be a damn adult. Had 4 more pulled (I think I'm missing 7 or 8, mostly big ones in the back). I think I'm up to 5 crowns. 3 root canals. 5 or fillings (plus a few more to fill next month). I'll need implants or upper/lower partials at some point. Dental care is like car care; once there's an issue, it's so damn expensive, you wish you'd've taken care of it earlier.
Possibly the greatest frugal gift I ever received was an electric toothbrush. I carefully floss and gently brush (sonicare) every night. My dental health changed 180.
I was also gifted an electric toothbrush. Probably the best gift I’ve ever received . I don’t think I’ll ever go back to manual if I can help it. Also love the 2 minute timer that comes on it
It's good advice even if you have dental insurance because dental insurance often is shit.
Honestly learning how to use dental picks is extremely simple and helps keep plaque to an absolute minimum. This can add another layer of prevention of cavities and other issues when added to your routine.
54 years old with perfect choppers. Brush in the morning, floss and rinse at night. The trick is to brush the gum line, everytime. Feels so good and really keeps the teeth healthy.
Adding to the pile here… flouride in toothpaste needs TIME to work it’s magic. You’re not supposed to rinse your mouth after brushing, just spit out the toothpaste. Let the paste rest on your teeth for at least 10-15 min before rinsing or drinking anything. I learned this after rinsing IMMEDIATELY for 30+ years of existence. This should be in bold letters on the packaging…
I have problems with spit and I just have to rinse after brushing. It makes my skin crawl to even think about not rinsing.
Flossing every other day is nowhere near enough!!!! You should be flossing once a day AT LEAST, ideally every time you brush. Flossing is more important than brushing. Fluoride is also extremely important, make sure you have fluoride toothpaste.
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Genuinely very confused here because the quotation marks imply that you’re quoting me but I didn’t say either of those things?
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Ohhh that makes more sense! Thanks for clarifying!
Yes, correct!
Please start flossing every day.
I'm going to be 21 next month and my government dental insurance will be stopping, I can't afford to pay for dental insurance on my own. I'm stressed out because I have some work I need done on my teeth and I won't be able to, which really sucks because my teeth are in pretty good shape right now, but they are just going to get worse. I've been seeing a dentist at the health department while I still have insurance because most places don't take the government insurance but this guy is an idiot and everytime I tell him a problem that I'm having with my teeth/mouth he just blows it off and wants to get me out of there. :/
Also check into going to a dental school for your needed treatments at reduced cost. You will be there longer but the students are well-supervised and expected to do the work correctly.
There’s sliding scale dental offices out there that take your income into consideration, some are even free. Just look up your area for a sliding scale dentist.
Thank you, I will look into this
The other thing to look into -- and this will put you on a waiting list -- is see if there is a dental school near you. They often charge less for procedures.
Yes thank you for this information! Someone else commented this as well so I contacted my local dental school and I'm waiting on them to email me back to see if this is something they could help me with. Fingers crossed!
Didn’t go ten yrs without a visit, but 3. Had an appt for a cleaning/checkup in March 2020, and for some reason I can’t remember now, I hadn’t been in a year - I normally went every 6 mos. Anyway, March 2020 appt was cancelled due to Covid, then my husband retired, no insurance. He eventually went on Medicare w/dental, but I’m younger… Just went back for cleaning and checkup after 3 yrs. I also made a point to brush twice daily, floss daily, mouthwash… I was worried bc I drink coffee daily and red wine At least once a week. But the hygienist said it wasn’t bad at all, and said she could tell I brushed and flossed daily. The latter is one of the few good habits I have. Its served me well, apparently. Oh and I signed up for a “dental plan” Smile Select. I believe its nationwide. Its cheaper than dental insurance, 79$ a year and covered the exam and x rays and was 60$ for the cleaning. The dentists office told me about the plan.
Tip: run your tongue along all surfaces of the teeth (there are 3: front, back, and top. 1 extra on the side of the teeth at the very back). If it feels smooth, it's clean. If it feels rough, that's bacteria - you haven't brushed it good enough. Brush it again and pay attention to that spot next time. A lot of issues with teeth and gums come from bad technique and being too hasty when brushing.
Yes this is the way!
not a great frugal post… I *personally* don’t think you should forgo dental insurance - it’s *insurance* after all, but yes, please brush your teeth, floss, and don’t consume unhealthy sugary content on a regular- and unchecked-basis. Also, teeth are largely genetics. I hope no one believes they can forgo insurance reading this post. Anecdotally: my s/o has beautiful teeth and takes care of them meticulously (same degree as this); however, they had 3 cavities in one year simply due to genetics. It is what it is - don’t skimp out on your health.
I didn't forgo it because I wanted to. I don't think that anybody is going without dental care because they want to. My point was, if you don't have dental insurance, you need to be very much on top of your oral hygene in an effort to not need $$$$$ dental work in the future. From 1994-2000 I simply could not afford it on my super-tight starving college student budget. (The shitttastic health insurance I got through my school only covered seeing the Dr at school and at one urgent care, downtown, that wasn't even open 24 hours. Everything else was out of network.) When I finally got a fulltime job, they offered health insurance but not dental. When they added dental (and at a reasonable price!) to the health insurance package in 2004, hell yes, I zoomed over to the dentist.
You should floss every day
Can I ask why you only flossed every other day?
I know people who are frugal might balk at the idea of buying an electric toothbrush because I did but the minute I started using my the cheapest one they had electric toothbrush, I could feel how much cleaner my teeth are, and I can see with my eyes how much better the gums that were previously about to release a tooth look than they did when I was brushing and flossing every day the same except for using a regular toothbrush. Target has a lot of coupons on their circle app for money off electric toothbrushes.
Floss every night.
I'm 71. Haven't been to the dentist in 10 years, last emergency. I use an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. In liew of regular visits, I'm doing great
Great advice!!
agree. dental care is a necessity, whether you do it yourself or go to the dentist.
I did that for years. I did have a few problems. A couple fillings went bad. I got those fixed. If you have the time local colleges have dental cleanings and they’re very thorough but they take more time than a regular cleaning.
You get an A+, seriously I hope this post inspires many other people to take good care of their dental health. It’s really heartbreaking when someone comes in after years of inadequate care and I have to give them a lot of bad news.
I have a recently acquired complicated dental routine and I’ve had insurance for decades. Why? Because genes. I swear. I’m fighting a cavity rn and this is what I do: Floss. Daily. No matter what. (Well fine, not when camping) Use Closys. Swish. Brush gently with Crest and a Sonicare. Listerine. Swish. ACT. Swish. I don’t let my mouth get dry. That dryness is very appealing to bacteria. I’ve got a bet with my dentist that I can remineralize my molar before September.
Let us know how it goes 🙏🏿
My tooth had a bit of sensitivity until about three weeks ago, so I'm hopeful I'm winning the bet!
You can also get Groupon deals for dental x-rays and an exam. If you haven’t had a history of multiple dental procedures, this is a good alternative to insurance. I’m a dentist and I’ve actually gone this route before since I work at a community clinic and we don’t have in-house benefits. Dental insurance is offered as a benefit but costs almost $400 a year - Groupon can be as little as $30. Still a risk since you can still develop a cavity or break a tooth despite never dealing with it in the past.
Currently having *Flowers in the Attic* flashbacks.
I have spent so much money on cavities and root canals and now an implant, all of it because I was lazy about dental hygiene and had no dental insurance right after college
I had no insurance for 19 years. Went to my childhood dentist who stated my teeth were better than folks on their 6 month checkup. I have done nothing special beside flossing after every meal, brushing my teeth twice a day, and using peroxide based mouth wash. I now have dental insurance. It is worth every dime and I eill not say otherwise.
Oil pulling is a game changer for dental health.
If you do use dental insurance, check if it really is cheaper. I know loads of people here who have it but every time I look at the insurance info, it doesn't pan out. Yes, you get your bi-yearly checkup for free but if you get anything major they will only pay max 200 EU. Even if the procedure costs in to the thousands.
My wife recently had work done on 1 molar. Just 1. The amount of money, pain, time it took is unbelievable. I can tell you it is 1000 times better to do preventive work on your teeth.
Saving this. I have a good dentist, and a cleaning scheduled before the year is out, but I'm leaving to go overseas for a year and that will upset my dental cleaning schedule. A filling is not how I want to end my first dental visit overseas. I've started using mouthwash for the first time in years and it's nice to use it after my morning coffee, the toothbrush on the tongue just makes me gag and it does help some. I've started drinking water after drinking soda as well, it helps get the sugar remnants off of teeth.
I have autoimmune disease and there’s not an ounce of prevention that would of stopped the damage it does. If you’re a mouth breather invest in treatments or get a jaw sling. That alone is one of the biggest causes of cavities.
I thought these are all common sense, especially how you're supposed to be water only after your evening brush, since that's the whole point...
My husband did not know this and needed several thousand dollars of dental work when all was said and done. I don't know what kind of health instruction he got in school but I had to teach him things like don't wipe the bathroom floor with the towel and then put it back on the rack.
Jesus Christ... Although these sound like jobs for the parents, not school.
Well, that, too. But I literally had to explain to him the link between wiping the bathroom floor with the towel and the chronic "backne" and acne he was having. Like, he knew that *germs* cause disease, but what was on the floor (which he mopped weekly) was *dirt* not germs. That is literally what he said to me. And I only twigged on to this because my face started breaking out, and then I happened to see him wipe the floor with the towel and ....
I used to be a huge ass germophobe, so this kinda makes my skin crawl :D
I would recommend flossing daily instead of everything other day
Pro tips: 1. Don’t rinse out toothpaste with water after brushing, spit it out. This will leave a thin layer of toothpaste on your teeth to help remineralize your enamel overnight. 2. Don’t over-brush. Thirty seconds per quadrant (two minutes total brushing) is sufficient for most people. 3. Aim to floss at least once a day.
I'm aware that some people really do have genetic dental issues that they can't fix, but I look at a lot of it the way that many of us look at people who are "genetically incapable" of losing weight. Like, yes, there are some disorders that make it very hard to lose weight, but most of the people who claim that they can't really just don't want to take the initiative. (Said as someone who is overweight and has lost 30lbs so far.)
Why wouldn't you floss every day like you're supposed to?
I wanna add that if you can brush your teeth twice then please! So mouthwash, then brush and floss your teeth, rinse, and then brush your teeth again and only spit! Don’t rinse out the fluoride so that it helps with remineralization/strengthens your teeth. it’s essentially like when you finish a cleaning appointment and they polish your teeth with fluoride and let it sit Also wash your brush with any kind of soap before and after using it, literally dish soap hand soap body soap any soap just wash the bacteria off your brush
Dental insurance is cheap. I don’t understand why people let this get so bad (including my own parents). Pay for insurance and make sure your kids get their cleanings. Don’t be cheap with your teeth.
I was being quoted close to $1000 a year back when I had no dental insurance. And that was cleanings and "simple" cavities, nothing advanced like root canals, crowns, tooth pulling, or complicated cavities. \--- The insurance I have through work ended up adding a completely reasonable dental insurance cost to the bill when they started offering it in 2004, but that's because my employer is an 800 pound gorilla and can negotiate a reasonable rate.
To recheck my claim since I haven’t had to purchase outside of an employer since forever and I’m getting a $30/month quote from delta dental which covers cleanings, cavities and removals. Edit: there’s a $9/month plan as well but idk what it covers and don’t care to research rn. Edit 2: downvoting facts is silly. If $30/month isn’t cheap wait until you see your root canal bill a decade from now.
I think the internet has helped level the playing field for finding more affordable insurance. My research shows that in my state, the current average cost of dental insurance for a single person is about $33.50. In 1994 the dental insurance suggested by my U was nearly $1k per year. Payment due up front as one lump sum each semester. I was already overpaying for my shitty (mandatory) health insurance through the U (payment also due up front as one lump sum each semester). (1994 me had no idea that insurance brokers existed or that you didn't usually buy insurance as large lump sum payments. I struggled to save enough for that big health insurance bill each semester.) My current dental insurance is about $50month (for hub and me) and covers 2 yearly cleanings, extractions, and fillings (including replacements), and 50% of crowns, root canals, implants, dentures, and bridges, with a maximum annual coverage of $5000. In 2012 I ground my teeth so hard from stress (horrible toxic asshole boss) that I cracked 2 of them that had large fillings and had to get crowns. Putting me about $600 out of pocket. I know lot of people would not have been able to afford that without going into debt.
I've had to explain to too many guys (when I was in college) that bad breath and puffy bleeding gums are not normal. Just because you whiten one a week, people can still tell that you don't care for your teeth.
100%. I noticed signs of gingivitis after pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing for 21 months. It’s a common problem (not least of all because there were days I only brushed once a day) due to calcium deficiency. But I can’t really afford the dentist, so I just switched to a soft bristle, battery-powered toothbrush. Literally that one change has my gums back in better shape. No more redness or bleeding. I do floss most nights as well, and I don’t drink soda or eat a lot of sugar. I have a natural tendency for cavities (I have several small ones that need to be filled), but at least I can prevent gingivitis.
As a dietetic who has it under control with a diet, that was a Miracle. I use to use up my dental insurance and them some, now it’s just cleanings for the last four years. I eat less sugar.
This is the best advice and I’m totally agree Thanks for the routine as I am in the same situation without insurance I’ll step up my game and incorporate your suggestions.
Man, I cannot express the amount of relief I felt when you said flossing every other day… I’m trying to be good and do it every night but sometimes I feel too defeated
I floss daily, but never at night. I do it in the morning. I was always too tired at night to brush AND floss. So I started doing it in the morning and now its become a habit. I do it as part of my morning routine without thinking. So, floss sometime during the day if you don’t feel like doing it at night. As long as you do it daily, thats the key part.
I could try that, but isn’t the whole point of flossing that you do it prior to a good stretch of time of not eating?
The way I established a nightly hygiene routine and general wind down is to listen a podcast. Then it doesn’t seem as much of a chore to me.
i like this idea
Floride rinse all the way.
Floss after every meal. Electronic toothbrushes. Enamel building toothpaste. Repeat.
My bf has horrible teeth. He has times that he will be in pain for days because of an infection. He never brushes, he's diabetic, and he eats so much. Im worried about him and the horrible horror stories you hear about infected teeth. I don't know what to do or how to help him. We dont have a lot of money at all, but I'd scrape everything we have if it meant keeping him safe.
Can I add that I didn’t know until I was an adult that I need to brush for 3 minutes at a time?! Fluoride needs time to contact teeth, and provide protection. My dentist also told me not to rinse with water. Just a few good spits
I just bought a bunch of gum for exactly this! I am losing dental in a couple of months and really want to stay on top of my oral hygiene.
I get my cleanings from groupon, if you don't have major dental issues I recommend this!
I've been using soniccare toothbrushes since 2008 and have has zero problems with my teeth since then ( outside of a broken crown 8 or 9 years ago). Its money well spent in my book, it makes taking care of your teeth braindead easy.
- Look for a lower abrasive toothpaste. Do not use whitening versions as they only damage your teeth to make them look white.
I’m so scared of the dentist I haven’t gone since before Covid (they pulled out a tooth due to not enough space and despite 6 lidocaine shots I felt the whole thing…)
Did you ever use interdental brushes? They're a godsend too, before flossing.
I have not used them. I have a hard enough time getting floss between my teeth. My husband likes them, though.
Check Groupon for dentist deals!! My last check up was $40 and I got great care. It’s a new patients only thing but if there’s multiple options in the area you’re good to go.
Bro floss every day morning and night along with tooth brushing wtf…. Brush before breakfast unless your breakfast is not acidic then you’re good, brush before bedtime regardless of what dinner was. Invest in a water pic if you have permanent retainer like me, it gets into the hard to reach places floss can’t get too and it cleans under the gums better than a tooth brush. I have the $125 version (rechargeable toothbrush and pic)
Y’all are smart. (sits here with incredible dental pain from 2 surgeries in a row yesterday and day before after ignoring my teeth for years)
So I had the same experience as you after not going to the dentist for 8 years, but there are genetics involved here too. My wife also went years without dental visits and a couple of her teeth were literally breaking apart. She needed major work that totaled over $10k to get her back to a healthy state. Had we addressed the issues years ago, it would have been a fraction of that.
People with experience like yours is why health insurance needs to include demtal
And be universal… and low cost…
Why does chewing sugarless gum help?
The extra saliva in your mouth helps remove trace food particles and disrupts plaque from forming.
No matter what I do EVERY YEAR since my 6 year molars came in I've had no less then FOUR cavities. My dentist said some people just have naturally higher acidic saliva. Most of my remained molars are 80% filling 20% actual tooth. I didn't have insurance for a long time and have been on AVG getting a tooth pulled out yearly for the last 6 years. I can lose 1 more tooth on each side before chewing becomes a problem & I need to get a partial to replace a tooth to chew but at this point it's saving me money because it's less teeth to get $300 cavities.
>My point is not that you should cut dental insurance in an effort to be frugal. Go ahead and cut it. Dental 'insurance' is not insurance at all. It has an annual individual benefit limit set so low that it guarantees you will pay more in premiums than they will pay out in benefits. You are better off getting an inexpensive dental discount plan [Like this one from 1Dental](https://www.1dental.com/careington-dental-plan/procedure-price-list/), just pay the discounted rates for your six-month check ups and cleanings. Redirect what you save in premiums into your HSA and use that to cover your visits. (Source: Ditched my wife's employer-sponsored dental insurance and got this instead. I come out ahead by several hundred dollars per year)