For many of us, health is an extravagant wish.
It was for me, and still seems so sometimes. I had to get a really good job (really good for me is a salary of roughly $30,000 a year with decent benefits so I’m not talking upper middle class here) in order to even be able to approach dental health!
It’s quite amazing how much dental health affects every other part of you. Trying to lose weight with messed up teeth? Good luck eating all those healthy proteins, vegetables, nuts, and grains! That’s just one of many examples.
I’ve been able to find a good dentist who thinks creatively and is working in an office with awesome staff. I’ve gotten some tips that have really changed my whole outlook on dental health.
Previously I had written off my weak enamel and many cavities as just another thing to deal with that couldn’t really be helped. Crowns are expensive, so are root canals, and dentures? Very expensive too. I was looking forward to spending at least a third of my life toothless. And it turns out it wasn’t just eating sweet stuff as a kid, I really DO have weak enamel!
I learned though, that enamel can reharden and dentin can regrow once the decay has all been cleaned out. I learned that yesterday from the dentist himself. He says the teeth are continuously regenerating themselves. Not so much in shape, like a cavity won’t grow back in, but renewing in other ways. He recommended fluoride mouthwash (of course) which I’m a bit up in the air about but am willing to try if I make sure and don’t swallow any. Other suggestions were flossing regularly, of course, swishing with water instead of brushing after I eat sweet or citrus foods, and chewing gum that has Xylitol. That helps harden enamel a couple of different ways, by stimulating saliva production and by changing its PH so that the bacteria doesn’t grow as well.
I happened to find some gum that has calcium in it as well as xylitol, and I’m looking forward to trying that too. Unfortunately it’s not made in the US (of course) so I’m buying it from Amazon. It’s made by Trident.
I feel hopeful about my teeth for the first time in years. And I’m ready to lose some weight, by eating less of those soft processed foods!
Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year.
Mindflight 
I’m glad you’re going and have good insurance. I’ve always gone, took good care of my teeth. But other health facts aren’t cooperating. It’s a predicament.
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Ah, you definitely have my sympathies.
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I got few of my teeth replaced…as I too had various problems with them….but now things are under control…. It’s a horrible feeling….when someone drills inside your mouth…..your tips are great and useful….
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It really can be a bad feeling, yes!
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Thank you for sharing. I am lucky to have a great denal plan. But my fear is a dentist without compassion and cause more pain then needed. This coming. Year 2nd on the bucket list go and get a good check at the dentist.
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So true. I’ve seen dentistry improve a lot in the last decade or so – less lectures, less pain, more understanding. Most dentists seem to understand this.
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