
My previous yearly exam left me stupefied. I walked out with a bill over $4,000 which included a crown and a bridge. To make matters worse, when my bridge was complete, my dentist informed me I would also need buccal fillings on four teeth. These teeth had recessed gum lines that were exacerbating cavities. That meant an additional bill over $400. I simply didn't have it, my credit cards were tapped out.
Why had my mouth deteriorated so badly due to my fibromyalgia? I never had terrible issues such as this before I embraced a chronic illness. Now yearly exams showed progressive deterioration on ALL teeth in my mouth. What could I do to prevent this?
I decided to become more proactive to benefit my oral health. I went on a limb and purchased the Pursonic oral irrigator and electric toothbrush. With prices advertised below, what could I lose? It was definitely cheaper than investing another $400 for newly needed cavity fills. I had read that healthy teeth can remineralize by better care. The body can health itself. I was on a mission!
My products were soon delivered, and I took quick note on the recommendations. The oral irrigator allowed 30 seconds for each area of the mouth. That was easy, there are four parts of the mouth - total care time only two minutes. The electric toothbrush boasted the same. "Total nightly care should be only four minutes," I thought. Well, four minutes can seem like eons when you have a busy household that nightly routines don't fit perfectly into the picture. Nonetheless, I committed. I was going to complete this routine for five months, every night, until my next yearly exam.
Time flew literally as it always does. Before I knew it my oral evaluation was upon me. To tell you I was nervous at my exam was an understatement. After all, I could be walking into a larger bill if my cavities decided to eat through my enamel and cause more damage. Keep in mind, I didn't have the money to fill them five months ago.
In the chair, feeling uneasy, my dentist began to probe my mouth. "Hmmmm," he noted here and there.
"Great," I thought. "This is it, they've drilled themselves further into my gum line and now I need more extensive care." I've heard, "Hmmmmmm" numerous time these past five years.
"Well," he continued. "I don't know what to say. You're teeth are in the best health I've ever seen them. I'm going to re evaluate those buccal's I wrote months ago. I'm surprised you didn't have them filled."
"What?!!" I thought. Re evaluate? He has NEVER re evaluated a costly treatment. I sat for another ten minutes, wondering what was happening, and was then handed a bill with NOTHING on it but the cost of the exam. The dental assistant asked me to grab my things and meet her up front.
"Wait!" I exclaimed. "Can you give me a few moments? Do I still need to complete the buccal fillings like my last exam stated after my bridge was fixed?"
"No, not at this time. The doctor feels that they are not present at this moment," she stated.
"Wow, wow, wow," my mind was reeling. "It worked!" was all I could think. In five years, every bill had FURTHER treatment needed. There was always a long list of suggestions and needs. I quickly breathed a sigh of relief and handed over my credit card for the exam and oral cleaning.
Four minutes each night now seems like seconds donated to a healthier lifestyle. To make matters more interesting, I am always in awe of how fresh my mouth feels. It's like stepping out of the dental hygienist chair each night before I hit the sheets.