Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Teeth

Ronni Bennett has done it again.  I often get blogging ideas from reading her blog, Time Goes By.  I found her post An Elder Bites The Apple fascinating.  If you're interested in dental implants, or know anyone who is, I urge you to read her post.

I still have my teeth, they're old, battered, and discolored but they're hanging in there.  My dentist tells me he thinks they will see me through to the end.  After reading Ronni's post I started thinking about dental care.  I'm a twice a year for a cleaning person.  Never really put out a lot of effort taking care of my teeth until the hygienist expressed displeasure at the job I was doing.

I begin turning to a pumpkin about 4:00 p.m.  By 6:00 p.m. the transformation is complete and whatever I didn't get done before that time is not likely to happen.  That includes flossing.  I did manage to do a hit or miss job of brushing but often passed on flossing.

Visiting with my dentist I learned a thing or two.  Flossing doesn't have to be done before bedtime.  Nothing is written that you have to use toothpaste when you brush your teeth, water works.  You just need to get the plaque off your teeth some time every day.

With that in mind I set about finding a more workable solution for me.  I now floss in the mornings sitting in my chair reading my iPad.  Nothing says you have to floss at the bathroom sink.  I read, floss and use soft picks on my teeth before taking my shower.

Imagine my surprise the next time I went in to get my teeth cleaned and the hygienist and dentist were over the moon with praise for how much my gum situation had improved.  Yea for me!


My mouth is very sensitive to toothpaste containing mouthwash and whiteners.  I found this Pepsodent for 97 cents on the bottom shelf where they display toothpaste.  You have to look for it because they make more money on the brands with whiteners and mouthwash.  That's okay, for 97 cents I'll gladly stoop to the bottom shelf.  I use whatever dental floss I have on hand but do like the G.U.M. brand soft picks.

Now I need to preach a little.  It really annoys me the healthcare industry does not include dental.  It seems to me dentists are free to do as they please and to charge as much as they want for it.  I don't see much regulation going on.

Dental insurance is woefully inadequate.  Elder Americans are often unable to afford the care they need.  I do believe the condition of your teeth and mouth affects your overall health.  I want to see a better system for dental care in this country.

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We are not supporters of Donald Trump. Nevertheless I could not resist this shirt I found in Bob's size in a Goodwill store.

This could be awkward for Mr Trump as it seems his menswear line of clothing is made in Mexico.


14 comments:

  1. When you smile at someone and they don't give you a toothy smile in return, more than likely they are ashamed of their teeth.

    I think dental health for the population, in general, is important to your health and well being. However, dental insurance is often a joke, as well as the cost of care at the dentist's office.

    All teeth are not created equal, a fact that some people cannot understand. I am beginning to think that bad teeth could be a genetic problem as well as a diet problem. For years, I blamed my horrible mouth on my mother [raised during the depression] for not eating properly while she was pregnant with my siblings and myself. Then I had children. Two of the five offspring seem to have a propensity to have cavities. With my last child, I took the vitamins, drank the milk, ate my greens etc and his teeth are as bad as mine despite a strict regime of dentist visits, proper oral care, and a good diet. So, I really think that genetics play a role. I have never heard of a study on this. Maybe there has been one - I have no clue.

    Medicaid pays for children under their plan to have regular dental care, but not everyone has that. As I don't have ObamaCare, I do not know what that covers. Most low income people do not put dental visits on their priority list, because they simply cannot afford the exorbitant charges, they would rather put gas in their car to go to work.

    One could hope for a better system, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

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    1. Absolutely, I definitely think genetics plays a role. My mother had bad teeth and mine are full of fillings and I have many root canals. On the other hand neither of my children have dental problems. Who's to say what causes it. It just irritates me dental work is so expensive and I don't see anyone working to provide better insurance. I carry dental insurance that covers getting my teeth cleaned twice a year but only covers 50% of any additional dental work. Bummer. With our health insurance we have no co-pay and never pay a penny.

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  2. I'm a flosser. My hygienist always compliments me on my care of my teeth, and I beam with pride. That and my wonderful near-the-surface-of-the skin veins, which phlebotomists always rave about when I donate blood, are my most likely compliment-getters. For some , it's their beauty; for others, it's their brains; for me, it's my teeth and veins. Whatever.

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  3. Our son is a flosser and has never had a cavity. I have good veins for drawing blood so at least I have something to be proud of.

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  4. I have ugly teeth - gaps, uneven, too small teeth, protuding front teeth, lots of old cavities, and now breakage, I wish I could start over. Orthodonture was not an option when I was young, and then the money we had went to have my kids' teeth straightened. So I live with it. My dentist says he can make them last as long as I need them.
    I floss and pick right after dinner now, after having had several new cavities in the last two years.

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  5. Mine look bad but the people I know with dentures say we should be thankful to still have our teeth, that even having ugly teeth is better than having dentures. I'm just astounded at the cost of implants. I'm astounded at the cost of all dental work.

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  6. Dental care is almost out of my league financially. I also get my teeth cleaned twice a year trying to save what I have but that is about it. At $3000 for a one tooth bridge, I just chew around the gap. I do floss while watching TV, rinse with peroxide and brush regularly so my gums are in good shape. Too funny about the Trump shirt made in Mexico.

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    1. This is exactly my point, dental work is not out of reach for many Americans. I want to see, at the federal level, somebody recognize dental as part of healthcare, a very necessary part of healthcare in my opinion.

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  7. I recently read about not needing toothpaste while brushing, or as much as we've been told to use it. I like your plan. If it would get me flossing more, then where it is, is not as important. I'm going to move my floss to the drawer beside my recliner and see if it works.

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    1. You have to do what you have to. Now if I could just be as successful finding a way to make myself exercise.

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  8. Pepsodent is Louis Dean's favorite toothpaste and I by a dozen tubes at a time when I can find it! Usually at the $ store!
    I have had an upper denture since I was 18 years old! I still have 4 teeth and 3 crowns on the bottom but will be having one pulled in the near future. Then I'll have to get another bridge made so I'll get new uppers to go with it! Haha, I will be shopping for TEETH!

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  9. If you have not had your teeth cleaned in some time, now is the time to make the call before it is too late. Luckily I decided to go even not having insurance any longer, and my dentist caught many issues just in time. If nothing else, get in the habit of flossing every day and you will be better off for it down the road.

    Freddie Gray @ Ballantyne Dentistry

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  10. My mother-in-law had all of her teeth replaced, but you really cannot tell. She really takes care of them now for obvious reasons. That's good to know that you do not need toothpaste. I have been using a more natural brand because I don't like the taste of the bigger brands. It seems like they also add sugar to them.

    Eunice Greer @ Downtown Dental SC

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  11. New web site is looking good. Thanks for the great effort.
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    ReplyDelete