Comments on: Visiting The Dentist – Daily Tip

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:24:49 +0000

Well, like a previous commentator, I, too, have won in the gene pool. I haven’t been to the dentist in almost 10 years and have had no problems. I brush twice a day, floss and frequently use fluoride mouthwash. I am thinking of checking in with the dentist this month to see where my teeth are at now.

By: Bruce65

Bruce65 — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 08:41:30 +0000

Ummm…., biannual visits to the dentist?? Guess I have been lucky in the tooth lottery. You may not believe this, but I haven’t been to a dentist in about 18 years. I brush well once daily & occaisionally floss or swish some mouthwash around & my teeth/gums are just fine. No dental insurance & no pain–no problems!
Really didn’t plan to not go to the dentist, but it was a matter of not having the extra cash back then & having gotten through a year without a checkup & then thinking that everything was ok, so I let it go another year & then another, etc. & now 18 years have gone by & still all is well. I figure that if I have any problems in the future all the money I have saved over the years of not having to pay for insurance/copays will be more than enough to cover any problems.

By: Tightwad Kitty

Tightwad Kitty — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 06:34:56 +0000

I am on free dental plan as pensioner here in Australia but the waiting list is very long, over 2 years.

I found that cleaning my teeth with battery tooth brush helped as I never had any need for any filling this time only just check up and clean & polish. I am cover in my health cover to go to regular dentists but cost between what’s paid and dentist fees is to high.

By: Frugal Momma

Frugal Momma — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 14:29:21 +0000

I think it is worth it to go twice year to get the teeth cleaned really well and get that ok. Preventive medicine is well worth it. We do have dental insurance that covers the visits.

By: RS

RS — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:13:26 +0000

I too am on the 3-4 visits a year plan now. It stinks, but I don’t really want to get gum surgery either. I drink waaaaay too much soda to not be going at least 2-3 times a year.

By: How To Be Poor

How To Be Poor — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 20:19:21 +0000

For the last 8 months I’m at the dentist’s every three weeks redoing amalgam fillings crazy Hungarian and Russian dental pickaxmen put in.

My last big procedure involved pulling out 5 teeth. My last x-ray showed a needle and a spiral tool left inside a molar.

I will pay any money to my dentist, no questions asked – all becase otherwise I will be consumed by neverending hellish pain.

By: l bryant

l bryant — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:55:25 +0000

With 5 children and no dental insurance the cost of exams/xrays/flouride treatments/sealants 2 times per year had gone to over $1500. I found a nearby dental hygenist school and we now go there for cleanings and xrays. The school is wonderful. the exams take a little longer. But the cost $15 per child and $25 per adult for the same care cannot be beat. Our dentist still sees us for real dental needs and he understands we must do what our budget allows.

By: communicatrix

communicatrix — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:06:53 +0000

Money *is* an object with me, yet I’m on a 3-month return (yes, that’s 4x a year!).

I agree that one-size-fits-all probably doesn’t when it comes to the dentist. But it works both ways: if you lost the gene pool lottery when it comes to gum disease, think about upping your visits. In the long run, it can save you a lot more money on gum surgery…not to mention your teeth!

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 15:59:54 +0000

I saw the SmartMoney article, but disagree that twice annual routine dental visits are not necessary. Remember how when you were a kid the dentist would have you brush your teeth, then coat your teeth with the icky orange stuff that would show where plaque still remained? Most people don’t spend more than a minute or so brushing their teeth, and it can be difficult to do a thorough job.

I’ve never had even a wisdom tooth pulled, but if money were no object, i’d see the dentist for a cleaning 3x a year.