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It is expensive, but I am guessing many of those cases could have used some preventative care- as in brushing and flossing!
I actually have to constantly argue with my husband to go brush his teeth and have spent thousands on his dental bills (with insurance). Now he gets to have a deep cleaning every 6 months, he acts miserable during it, then after he forgets! It's so frustrating...
As for costs- there are dental schools who do the work for free if you are in a tight jam. I had my teeth cleaned for free (yes it took a few visits) when my husband and I had no insurance.
Bullcrap. All the brushing and flossing in the world isn't going to help if you're genetics suck and you're prone to having bad teeth. Just like all those dirt poor people I used to have as clients. Do you REALLY think they were brushing, flossing, using rinses and washes and getting cleanings every six months? Next time you see some of those "Feed the Children" ads, take a look at some of the teeth on those children and parents..... perfect white, straight teeth and, yet, they're starving to death. I'm sure they're more interested in a bowl of rice than a tube of Colgate and some floss!
Dental schools here have a VERY long waiting list and the ones here are not free. There is a cost --- granted, it's much lower than a regular dentist office --- but you're also going to have to go through a whole lot of hoops and dances just to get something done. Something that may take you a couple of weeks of visits at your regular dentist will take you months at a dental school and that's ONLY if they're practicing that particular procedure that semester! The only "free" services may be x-rays and a checkup and cleaning. And that, you can get at most dentists these days --- they always advertise "new patient specials" "Free Cleaning and X-Rays" or "$10 for full set of x-rays and cleaning and check up".
All the flossing and brushing DOES help. I doubt a high percentage of people in this day and age have bad teeth due to genetics. BTW a commercial isn't going to zoom in on a kids mouth and show you that their gums are inflamed or that they have cavities. And usually children lose their teeth and new ones come in, so they aren't as "old" as an adults teeth are.
IDK where you are from, but the ones here are constantly begging for people to come in and be treated- all 100% for free. The only thing you spend is time.
My friend just passed all her dental hygiene exams, and she did me, my husband, and my brother last year, took a few weeks of appointments (2-4 for each of us), but we all got deep cleanings and even my brother received those "injections" of antibiotics that they put in your gumline to help your gums. I don't know what they are called. Again all free of charge. I see students posting on Craigslist all the time asking people to come in, some students even paying people up to $200 to get someone to take to their state exams.
I feel bad, because the guy I went out with last night was nice. But to me it was about more than the teeth. His self esteem has been impacted by his teeth, yet he doesn't make getting them fixed a priority. So what does that say about his datability?
This paragraph speaks more about you than him. He's better off without you.
I have good teeth. I've thought about what I will do when I start losing them. (Everyone starts losing them eventually.) I'm not going to get implants. The entire thought of having to walk around with those metal rods sticking out of my jaw bone for weeks until the fake tooth can be put on makes me crazy. Nope. That's not for me. I'd rather have dentures when the time comes.
Bullcrap. All the brushing and flossing in the world isn't going to help if you're genetics suck and you're prone to having bad teeth.....
I agree genetics are pretty important, but I disagree with your statement, which I would turn around this way: Brushing and flossing are especially important if you have bad genetics. In other words, good oral hygiene will give you the best result possible out of whatever your genetics are.
I have good teeth. I've thought about what I will do when I start losing them. (Everyone starts losing them eventually.) I'm not going to get implants. The entire thought of having to walk around with those metal rods sticking out of my jaw bone for weeks until the fake tooth can be put on makes me crazy. Nope. That's not for me. I'd rather have dentures when the time comes.
Hopes, the implant itself (onto which the tooth is mounted) is not really noticeable as it does not stick up above the gums. I have had two implants, so I am speaking from personal experience, not from theory. There are arguments against implants, but yours is not really one - it is just a fear, however understandable.
Against:
1. Cost. They are pricey.
2. Number of procedures necessary before you're done. It seems to drag on forever.
For:
1. Once you're all done, there is no inconvenience as there would be in caring for dentures.
2. The implant, once installed, is rock solid, just like a regular tooth; there is none of the weakness associated with bridges.
Now that I'm all done, I'm glad I got my implants and I am totally satisfied with them. I emphasize "now that I'm all done". On my second implant there were some complications, fortunately resolved without much difficulty, but they gave me some anxious moments.
I can't tell you how many professional adults I have met recently with really bad teeth. I don't mean to sound petty or judgemental, I'm just wondering what would prevent an educated employed person from taking care of their teeth.
I've met people with blackness around their gumline where they have crowns. People missing front teeth, people with discolored teeth. I had a blind date recently with a very nice gentleman who is clearly self conscious about his teeth. He was avoiding smiling or would duck his head to the side when he smiled. He KNOWS.
So why not just have them fixed?
And yes, it makes me wonder if maybe I should get my eyes fixed because don't people meet me and wonder "surely she knows those droopy eyes make her look bad."
My parents were very diligent about our oral health and teeth.
When I was in grade school I had those big metal braces which were adhered to the teeth with cement. When they removed them they also removed all the natural enamel off my teeth - the very thing which prevents decay. It cost another $7000 not covered by insurance to have my teeth re-enameled.
As years went by that coated enamel began to wear off and the teeth in the back got soft I could tell I was scraping my teeth thinner from the back of the front from my bottom teeth rubbing against them from talking and eating. It cost me another $13,000 not covered by insurance to have them re-done again.
Problems with teeth are not always from improper daily care and fixing them can be extremely costly which probably is a deterrent to having them fixed.
I'm educated and professionally employed. After I got the bill for the teeth for $13,000 I found out my foundation was caving in in the basement -cost $10,000 to fix. Even though I do alright money wise - these major things can be crushing financially and decisions have to be made as to what gets fixed first.
I agree genetics are pretty important, but I disagree with your statement, which I would turn around this way: Brushing and flossing are especially important if you have bad genetics. In other words, good oral hygiene will give you the best result possible out of whatever your genetics are.
Exactly. The best result possible. If your genetics determine you are going to have bad teeth, soft teeth, or just rotten teeth, nothing is going to change that. You can brush and floss all day long, rinse, go to the dentist faithfully but if you have bad teeth, you have bad teeth.
Bullcrap. All the brushing and flossing in the world isn't going to help if you're genetics suck and you're prone to having bad teeth. Just like all those dirt poor people I used to have as clients. Do you REALLY think they were brushing, flossing, using rinses and washes and getting cleanings every six months? Next time you see some of those "Feed the Children" ads, take a look at some of the teeth on those children and parents..... perfect white, straight teeth and, yet, they're starving to death. I'm sure they're more interested in a bowl of rice than a tube of Colgate and some floss!
Dental schools here have a VERY long waiting list and the ones here are not free. There is a cost --- granted, it's much lower than a regular dentist office --- but you're also going to have to go through a whole lot of hoops and dances just to get something done. Something that may take you a couple of weeks of visits at your regular dentist will take you months at a dental school and that's ONLY if they're practicing that particular procedure that semester! The only "free" services may be x-rays and a checkup and cleaning. And that, you can get at most dentists these days --- they always advertise "new patient specials" "Free Cleaning and X-Rays" or "$10 for full set of x-rays and cleaning and check up".
Not to mention many of the things discussed as options, like when I had to have my teeth bonded, is considered 'cosmetic' and is not done by schools for free or is covered by insurance.
Hopes, the implant itself (onto which the tooth is mounted) is not really noticeable as it does not stick up above the gums. I have had two implants, so I am speaking from personal experience, not from theory. There are arguments against implants, but yours is not really one - it is just a fear, however understandable.
Against:
1. Cost. They are pricey.
2. Number of procedures necessary before you're done. It seems to drag on forever.
For:
1. Once you're all done, there is no inconvenience as there would be in caring for dentures.
2. The implant, once installed, is rock solid, just like a regular tooth; there is none of the weakness associated with bridges.
Now that I'm all done, I'm glad I got my implants and I am totally satisfied with them. I emphasize "now that I'm all done". On my second implant there were some complications, fortunately resolved without much difficulty, but they gave me some anxious moments.
Was it painful and/or weird while you had to walk around with that metal in your mouth?
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Next time you see some of those "Feed the Children" ads, take a look at some of the teeth on those children and parents..... perfect white, straight teeth and, yet, they're starving to death. I'm sure they're more interested in a bowl of rice than a tube of Colgate and some floss! 
My vote goes for brushing and flossing.
