Trip to the Dentist Went Well--100th Post!

I got some good news from my trip to the dentist this morning. That is very unusual. Most times that I go to the dentist I leave wanting a strong drink—vodka or cyanide, whichever.

My teeth are horrible.

I suspect some of that is genetic, but a good chunk of that is the way I have treated them. As a public service, here are Andy’s tips on tooth care:

•Don’t drink straight lemon juice even if you like sour things.
•If you drink so much alcohol that you physically cannot drink anymore, don’t make yourself puke so that you can drink more alcohol. The stomach acids are really rough on teeth.
•If you drink so much alcohol that you have to puke, even if you don’t want to and you don’t plan to drink for the next hour or so; brush your teeth afterwards and rinse your mouth clear of stomach acids with water.
•Sodas are very acidic and not good for teeth.
•Floss. No, really, I mean it.
•If you visit the dentist and they tell you that you need $6,000 plus worth of dental work, don’t say the hell with it and give up. Try getting it done incrementally. It does not get better if you ignore it.
•Find a dentist you like and trust.
•Don’t trust your insurance company. Follow up on all claims.

Today they did declare that two small cavities I have need filling which I kind of expected. It’s a wonder my mouth does not set off metal detectors. That was the bad news.

There were several pieces of good news. First, my gum disease is improving. I guess they rate gum recession on a 1 to 5 scale with 1 being good and 5 being awful. Last time I had two places that were fives and I have no idea how many fours. Well, both fives are now fours. Three of the fours are now threes. They commented that they could see that I was flossing—the difference was immediately visible to them. That was cool. I don’t often get compliments at the dentist.

Finally and most importantly to me, I have four veneers on my top front four teeth that are almost fifteen years old. One of my two front teeth is chipped (visibly) and where the veneers adhere to the teeth you can see the black discoloration of the old cement used to hold the veneers in place. My wife assures me that it is invisible to people looking at me but I cannot believe that is the case. I do not like to smile at people because of the veneers. It sounds silly, but a lot of how I think I am ugly comes from those four teeth.

The problem has been money, each one is $800 and they all have to be done at once (It would look awful to have two pearly whites next to two yellowy browns). The dentist and their insurance specialist lady believe that due to the age of the veneers they will be covered. Without insurance it is $3,196. Depending on insurance, they might cover between $1,000 to $1,500 of it. The most I would have to pay would be $2,196. I’d be lying to say I was happy about it, but it can be done. Even the $3,196 can be done, Goddess willing. More debt to pay, but it can be done. I just hate the idea of adding to our credit debt now that we are doing so well.

So, I am not overjoyed, but I am content. For the first time in years I have no major dental health issues in front of me. Not a bad deal at all. And I did it one day at a time, one piece at a time, doing the best I can.

Look for me to give you a big smile sometime in January, when insurance starts over.