Good health care, has always been my top priority in my life. It stands to reason, that how can anyone have a quality life, if they're sick or worried all the time as to what might happen in their lives.
I'm a little excited in 2008, because I am 63 years young, and many people my age, don't even have their teeth! Many have partials; gold fillings; silver; copper; steel; asphalt; clay and who knows what else, etc. After a recent check-up in 2008, I had only one cavity, which was filled.
From: Ohio State Medical Center:
Approximately, 64% of Americans visit the dentist each year, with an estimated 60 billion dollars currently being spent on dental services, reports the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Yet, many children and adults needlessly, suffer from oral diseases that could be prevented. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 29,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancers in 2005, resulting in 7,300 deaths...many of which could have been prevented.
In addition, close to 20% of pre-schoolers (children 4-6 years), have tooth decay...with 50% developing tooth decay by ages 6-8, and nearly 80% by age 17. Yet, with proper preventive care, such as regular check-ups; brushing; flossing; fluroidation; and dental sealants, the risk of dental disease can greatly be reduced.
For me, prevention is the name of the game in all my health care, etc. I don't doubt that there are people out there, who keep their glove compartment in the vehicles cleaner than their own mouths. When I was growing up as a kid, my family wasn't exactly poor...we had food on the table and clothes on our back.
The problem was not financially, because my father made a decent living as a machinist at General Electric for over 30 years. The problem was that he was one of those medical-phobics, who are afraid of needles; doctors; nurses and so forth. Because he worked at a large company, he had good health insurance, but I don't think he ever used it...not for himself or us kids, either!
So, my father never used his medical insurance, unless it was for an emergency. Therefore, I was never taken to a doctor or dentist until I enlisted in the Air Force when I was nineteen years of age, which is pretty sad in itself.
While in boot camp, we were sent to visit the dentist in pairs. When the two of us arrived at the dental office, the dentist told us, that he would work on one of us...while the other observed and asked questions, etc. And, then he would work on the other, while the other observed and so forth.
I have no idea where my partner came from, but he had an awful mouth, filled with rotten teeth! I couldn't bare to look into his mouth, as the dentist worked on him. I have a weak stomach for things like this, and I looked the other way when I could. I sure didn't want my mouth to get like his!
Considering I had not been to a dentist until I was nineteen years old, my teeth were in decent shape, and I had no cavities or other problems that I can remember, etc. I remember one of my sisters friends, had a gum disease of some sort, and all of here teeth had to come out! I sure didn't want this to happen to me, either, etc.
Later in life, I had bleeding problems in the gums when I was about forty years old, and that problem was taken care of right away. Dental surgery sounds like a big deal, but it really wasn't, at least, in this case. The doctor placed some kind of medication on the infected area, and cut a little upside down “V" and brought the two sides of the gum together and in went one stitch! About a week later, the stitch was removed, and the entire procedure was no big deal. This was in 1983, and since then, I have not had any problems with my gums or bleeding, etc.
Now, that I'm getting older (63), I don't think there's anything worse-looking than yellow/brown teeth... common in older people! I think when you first meet people or greet people, the first thing you notice is their teeth. I've known people who have stained teeth, and it affects their personality and confidence. They many times try NOT to smile, shying away because they don't want to show their stained teeth. They should get the problems corrected.
Unless I have an accident, dentures are not for me! I would hate to have to wear dentures! It takes so little effort to take care of your teeth. Flossing every day, and I visit the dentist once or twice a year for cleaning. The more you do it...the easier it gets!
I'm not a doctor, so I can't give advice. But, as a lay person, I can give advice. Next time you visit a dentist, try to leave the crybaby in you at home! You'll do better if you do. Prevention is the name of the game, and I want a real nice, white smile, for as long as I can do it...or until I hang up my orthopedic sneakers!
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Copyright; Jerry L. Aragon (The Humor Doctor) 2007
