I am, in short, adentists worst nightmare.
Shortly thereafter, I canceled my standing appointment at East Village Smiles and quietly began to panic.
So, last week, I called up two dentists for some advice.
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Heres what I learned about not having to pay exorbitant costs for mouth-based maintenance.
If youre eating something sugary, eat it all at once.
When you consume sugar, the bacteria on your teeth go to town on it.
Pain aside, dealing with all of that can be prohibitively expensive, especially if youre uninsured.
It has everything to do with frequency, Dr. Jahangiri says.
Every time they sipone damage, two damage, three damage, four damage.
The same rule applies to all sugary foods, whether theyre processed or not.
A lot of people think that if anything is natural, its good, Dr. Jahangiri says.
The reality is, honey will do as much damage.
Dates would do as much damage as chocolates.
Bacteria dont care whether its natural or not.
The bacteria go by the sugary substance.
A final note on sugar: Its best to have it with a meal, Dr. Jahangiri says.
Have a strategy around acidic foods and drinks.
Sugar is bad for your teeth because it creates acid in your mouth.
What people dont think about is fruit juices, Dr. Hershkowitz says.
Again, Dr. Hershkowitz is not asking you to cut OJ out of your life.
But when you drink itor any other citrusy juicehe recommends using a straw.
Throw it into the back of your mouth so it doesnt bathe the teeth, he says.
If you could, rinse out your mouth with water when youre done sipping.
The acid on the teeth kind of weakens [them] a little bit.
Now youre taking a toothbrush, which is abrasive, and youre brushing the tooth.
That makes it even weaker.
You should take some time before you do the brushing.
Rinse with water first, and then brush afterwards.
Its wise to wait until at least 30 minutes have passed, he adds.
Get specific about your brushing and flossing habits.
Brushing twice a dayonce in the morning, and once at nightis obviously important, as is flossing.
But Dr. Jahangiri and Dr. Hershkowitz raised a few not-so-obvious pointers to keep in mind.
Cant afford your old dentist?
Try these options instead.
Often, only a professional can spot them.
There are options out there for uninsured folks who want to see a dentist without breaking the bank.
Various nonprofits, includingMission of Mercy, offer free dental clinics in some states across the US.
Thats done all the time in the profession, Dr. Hershkowitz says.
When I was in private practice, I cant tell you the amount of pro bono work I did.
No person who showed up at my office who was in pain was ever denied.
Another great resource: dental schools, dental schools, dental schools!
Dental schools deliver wonderful care, he says.
Its a dental student whos treating a patient under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
In some cases, it’s possible for you to even receive treatment for free.
At the University of Pennsylvania, we give millions of dollars away in pro bono care for our patients.
Our patients have that need to be treated, and our students have that need to be educated.
Talk to your dentist about saving yourself money.
If youve lost your job, tell them, Dr. Jahangiri says.
Say, Listen, Ive been really good with my brushing, Ive been really good with my diet.
I think most dentists will respect that.
If your dentist wants to X-ray your teeth, Dr. Hershkowitz recommends asking them why.
Weve evolved over the years, Dr. Hershkowitz says.
You should ask, Do I need all these X-rays?
If so, why?
What is my risk factor?
Why are we doing this?
Be your own advocate.
Watch out for warning signs that something is majorly wrong and needs care from a dentist.
But, as these issues progress, that might change.
And if I can do it?
I know it’s possible for you to too.
