@Torn Mind, I hope you find a dentist who's sympathetic, understanding and highly capable and not predatory. I firmly believe they exist, but perhaps your assessment that they are rare is accurate. Keep looking and settle for nothing less! Good luck with your dietary adjustments and dental hygiene regimen.
My first dental appt in almost 2 years is set for a month out with a guy I've not yet met, fingers crossed. IIRC, the Nextdoor stuff on him was basically uniformly glowing, over the top. He was born in my town (I was not but been here close to 50 years). I saw a picture of him, he's older but not old, looks genuine and familiar. I have the feeling I'll like him. Hope he's really capable and beyond being shady. ATM, I'm not in pain and unaware of any issues I didn't already have, basically areas in my mouth that deserve special dental hygiene attention on a regular basis by me. We'll see what the doctor says after the full set of xrays they'll be taking.
I have no dental insurance. My HMO has a rider I can sign up for for a monthly extra fee that includes dental, but I'd have to go to a dentist who has a deal with them. I don't know of any, personally. My sister, who did go to my former dentist on my recommendation, eventually switched to the HMO plan, not because she didn't like my dentist but, she said, because it was cheaper. I'm a very frugal guy usually, but figure my health is worth paying a premium to maintain. I mean, what else is really? Mostly my dental expenses are modest, compared to other people my age, I figure. I had one root canal, had my wisdom teeth extracted ~1995 (on my dentist's recommendation, not because they had issues but because as you age they become more difficult to keep clean and are apt to become a problem eventually). I recall just one other large expense when my dentist sent me to an oral surgeon because of a tooth resorption issue a few years ago. Other than that, just cleaning, inspection, xrays and the occasional issue with former fillings and crowns that needed repair, etc. I can't remember the last time I needed a new filling.
My first dental appt in almost 2 years is set for a month out with a guy I've not yet met, fingers crossed. IIRC, the Nextdoor stuff on him was basically uniformly glowing, over the top. He was born in my town (I was not but been here close to 50 years). I saw a picture of him, he's older but not old, looks genuine and familiar. I have the feeling I'll like him. Hope he's really capable and beyond being shady. ATM, I'm not in pain and unaware of any issues I didn't already have, basically areas in my mouth that deserve special dental hygiene attention on a regular basis by me. We'll see what the doctor says after the full set of xrays they'll be taking.
I have no dental insurance. My HMO has a rider I can sign up for for a monthly extra fee that includes dental, but I'd have to go to a dentist who has a deal with them. I don't know of any, personally. My sister, who did go to my former dentist on my recommendation, eventually switched to the HMO plan, not because she didn't like my dentist but, she said, because it was cheaper. I'm a very frugal guy usually, but figure my health is worth paying a premium to maintain. I mean, what else is really? Mostly my dental expenses are modest, compared to other people my age, I figure. I had one root canal, had my wisdom teeth extracted ~1995 (on my dentist's recommendation, not because they had issues but because as you age they become more difficult to keep clean and are apt to become a problem eventually). I recall just one other large expense when my dentist sent me to an oral surgeon because of a tooth resorption issue a few years ago. Other than that, just cleaning, inspection, xrays and the occasional issue with former fillings and crowns that needed repair, etc. I can't remember the last time I needed a new filling.
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