Comments on: Please Schedule An Appointment With The Dentist Today

By: Julie C.

Julie C. — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:38:04 +0000

Many times people feel that dental care is a place where they can save money in tough times. But, like many of the stories told by these comments, things get much more costly (money, trouble, and time) when you let things go to far. For the few dollars you spend on a visit, it’s worth the peice of mind and safety.

By: Medics Direct

Medics Direct — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:08:31 +0000

It is well worth visiting the dentist every 6 months! I made the mistake of leaving it for 6 years and when i did go needed two root canals done. Could easily have been avoided had a stuck to a regular 6 month check up!

Great article

By: Sanjeev

Sanjeev — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:48:22 +0000

Root canal on a 4 year old! that’s insane. I’d be tempted to take a second opinion. Ask 5 dentists and they tell you 5 different things. I remember reading a report some years back about someone who criss-crossed the country and showed their teeth to some 50+ dentists. They had recommendations ranging from a few hundred $s to thousands (10s of thousands) of dollars.

Good luck!

By: Susan Joyce

Susan Joyce — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:13:40 +0000

Take a sore tooth VERY seriously!! It’s more than money at risk!

I had a sore tooth 4 few years ago. I checked with my dentist, and the tooth was fine. However, within a day, my lower jaw started to swell down into my neck, my jaws were “locked” (could only open so far), and my frightened dentist sent me to my HMO which put me on 3 x day antibiotics via IV to kill the infection causing the swelling.

Turns out that I almost died! And, other people DO die of this!

Within 3 days, I was in the hospital being operated on for an absess that developed when bacteria from my mouth entered my bloodstream probably (we’ll never know) after a too-vigorous tooth brushing. The swelling in my neck was closing off my airway, and I spent 4 days in the ICU on a ventilator, after the operation, with 7 total days spent in the hospital.

Thanks to my HMO, it didn’t cost me anything but a few weeks, that tooth, and my cavalier attitude toward a little bleeding of my gums.

Now, I’m very careful of my teeth and gums! I also use a rotary electric toothbrush recommended by my dentist, floss daily (without fail!), and use a toothpaste that does not contain “sodium lauryl sulfate.”

If there is ANY sign of bleeding after I’ve finished my brushing/flossing – and bleeding is VERY rare now and there was very little before – I use that bad-tasting mouthwash with a lot of alcohol in it to try to ensure no bacteria get into my bloodstream again.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is an ingredient in most toothpastes (and shampoos!) that makes that nice, foamy lather. Turns out that sodium lauryl sulfate also can cause, in people like me, some bleeding of my gums. Don’t want to take that risk any more! And I honestly haven’t noticed a change in the foaminess of my toothpaste – not that it was particularly important anyway.

And, don’t assume that because your toothpaste calls itself “natural” that it is free of sodium lauryl sulfate. Check the ingredient list to be sure – you’d be surprised at the brands which contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

I now use “Jason’s” toothpaste. This Jason’s is the brand name of a personal products company – a completely different Jason from Jason Alba. Jason’s toothpaste doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate, and I’m sure there are others which are also free of sodium lauryl sulfate, too.

By: Barry Groh

Barry Groh — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:23:27 +0000

All right, Jason, you talked me into it. I haven’t been to the dentist for almost five years now myself, and it is more of not wanting the hassle of finding a new dentist than anything else. It continues to be something I think about every now and then, but since I haven’t had any problems…..

Actually, I did try to set up a first visit a couple of years ago, and was told that I needed to call back in about a month as the dentist was going through a busy time (I think it was the back to school rush). Do you think I would remember a month later? Nope!

The ridiculous thing is that I DO have dental coverage, and haven’t used it at all over the past five years. I guess it’s time to get on the ball!

By: Andrew Guyton

Andrew Guyton — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:48:35 +0000

This is so true! I had to have a root canal last year and my out of pocket cost was $400! What saved me was my company Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) which I opted to participate in during my open enrollment period. These things are great and I chose to have $1000 for the year – Thank Goodness! For 2008 I have increased this to $2500. Not many people participate in these and much of this money does not get used since you have to contribute a small amount to it every paycheck. The great thing is with my account is I get the WHOLE amount up front with no penalties, even if I leave the company for a better job the next day!

By: Andy Herring

Andy Herring — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:27:55 +0000

I have to agree – do what’s important today. I thought I had a job for life and had never updated my resume but was then made redundant – my dental care went out of the window just as I thught I’d get some lingering tooth pain looked at – I had to get my resume remade quick smart using an online tool – resumebuilder4u – and got myself another job – but I ending up living with the pain for a couple of months.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:43:04 +0000

I can relate. I had a filling redone only to crack the tooth about six months later due to pressure from over filling it. The tooth was in the back and had to be removed. While I was warned that my teeth would collapse forward, I did nothing and guess what, they did move forward.

After ten years missing one tooth, I invested in braces followed by an implant. 30 months and about $10K out of pocket later, I’m still glad that I invested in myself.

Put two quarter’s under your daughter’s pillow for me.