this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2023
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my parents didn't have teeth by the time they were in their 30s either. Americans have a rather out-of-proportion concern about their teeth. I know its a trope that Englishman have bad teeth, but look, dental isn't covered by British universal health care because most times its primarily cosmetic , even things American dentists say are essential, and not a true health concern.
Teeth are absolutely not cosmetic. Infection of a tooth can lead to dangerous consequences up to sepsis. Your parents didn't have teeth because they had them removed by a dentist to avoid abscesses.
Guys, please don't underestimate dental health
Go ahead and live with dentures then. When your bottoms pop out every time you eat steak, remember what you said here. Teeth are absolutely essential. It’s cheaper to take care of your natural teeth than it is to drop 30k on implant-supported dentures, or if you’re broke, just basic ones.
Source: I work in the field. Bottom dentures are by far the most disappointing service we do.
lol at the thought of “this part of your body that you use multiple times every day for vital survival functions and various other functions like communication is mostly cosmetic, you’ll do just fine without!”
Teeth bleaching is cosmetic, crowns and fillings and whatever are restoration of normal functioning.
If we were meant to be ok without properly functioning teeth, we wouldn’t have teeth in the first place. That’s a stupid argument biologically speaking. (No offense intended to you personally, ofc)
I understand that Americans have a disproportionate focus on the -specifically cosmetic- aspects of oral hygiene, whiteness and straightness, primarily, but to say that most oral care is unnecessary and purely cosmetic is just absolute hogwash.
Mind you this is from someone who intends to get all her teeth ripped out and replaced with implants because no matter what I do, I average a cavity every 2-4 years. It’s cheaper in the long run to get implanted dentures than to fight my genes. So I understand entirely the being toothless by 30 (tho I’m 36 and still have all of them, I think I have more fillings than teeth at this point, and if most of those weren’t done free in the military I’d just have no teeth) but I disagree vehemently with the idea that that’s totally fine and won’t cause problems.
oh it's fine, you know how when deer get old and their teeth are all worn away or whatever, and they can't eat anymore and they just starve to death... it's just part of life! /s
Is that actually a thing people say? I live in the north woods and I’ve not heard that…particular logic… then again I tend to avoid hunters..
But omg purposely letting something starve because of its biological shortcomings is not the way. I’d for sure be dead in that world.