Unlike Pam Ayres who wishes she´d looked after her teeth, I have looked after mine with brushing and flossing and regular check-ups despite an irrational but very real fear of dentists. Whenever I have an appointment I start getting the heebie-jeebies days beforehand.
Apart from a couple of crowns and caps I still have all my teeth which I believe is not bad for someone of 76. So it is most unfair that I´m suddenly having loads of trouble. In February I broke a bit off a tooth and had to go to the dentist. In April the same thing happened to another tooth. A couple of weeks ago, bingo, another one - and before I had even got around to booking an appointment to get that seen to, yet another one. I have not started chewing rocks so I assume it is part of getting old, but it is still not fair...apart from the stress levels my bank balance is taking a bashing. Coincidentally one of Toby´s teeth dropped out the other day, I found it by his cushion. Old age sucks!
I have spent at least £5000 on my teeth in the last six years, probably more. I had bad dentistry until the age of about 25. Then I cared for my teeth along the lines of more modern NHS dentistry as everybody else. When I reached my late 50s things started to go wrong. The NHS offered little or no help and I actually gave up in despair. Eventually six years ago with tooth ache I went to a private dentist in desperation. He has now corrected all the problems, hence the money I have spent. I don't begrudge a penny of it to have good teeth again. I think most of it was down to old age and some down to bad dentistry when I was young. Quite honestly I don't think the NHS dentist ever had the willingness or inclination to help me under his present NHS pay structure which they say is detrimental to their practice and career.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in England I used the NHS dental service and was not impressed. Here I go privately like most of the population. Brazilian dentists are usually very good and mine is excellent although I still dread going. My current problems are not her fault, I think they are down to old age like you said, Rachel.
DeleteSometimes, cleaning sessions might weaken the stongest of teeth. teeth.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, that doesn´t sound good.
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