Why Do High Earners Let Their Teeth Fall Apart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At certain points in dental work, like implants, there is a missing tooth. Or maybe several. And it is too soon for a flipper, and the site is waiting for bone grafts to take. So the person may be spending thousands but missing some teeth.

I'm in this stage right now. I had a tooth pulled just about four weeks ago (cracked it down to the root -- endodontist said it wasn't salvageable), my not-quite-a-flipper came in, but I won't have time to go in to get it until after Thanksgiving travel. So I have a gap from the missing tooth, but it's barely visible. I actually thought about not getting the device but I'm worried about shifting over then next six months or so. I'm waiting for the bone graft to take, and it'll be another two months before I go in for evaluation. After they put the post in for the implant, it's another three to four months before the final fake tooth gets put on. So at least six months without a tooth (though most of it will be disguised by the device). Before I cracked the tooth and started this whole process, I had no idea that this is how long an implant takes.

[Anonymous]

I've never noticed this. FWIW, I'm 57 and have worn my retainers every night since having to redo my orthodontia with Invisalign 25 yer ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand not everyone can afford major dental work or handle long procedures, but it’s hard to believe that every person with visibly neglected teeth is dealing with a medical crisis. No one else is thrown off when someone shows up on Zoom with missing teeth or major alignment issues that have clearly gotten worse over decades?

To me, this really does look generational. I’m an older millennial. Pretty much everyone I know grew up with braces, Invisalign, whitening, something. Meanwhile, I see a lot more long-term dental neglect among older generations like Gen X and boomers, who came of age before cosmetic dental care was considered standard. They may simply have a different threshold for what’s “fine.”

And then you look at the younger side. Gen Z and even Gen Alpha kids are whitening teeth immediately after getting braces off. I’ve seen lines of tweens waiting for whitening with their parents. For them, straight and bright teeth aren’t exceptional, they’re expected.

What I still wonder is how people with visibly unmaintained teeth view those who have great ones. Do they think it’s vanity? Excess? Or do they ever wish they’d dealt with things earlier, back when it would have been far easier?

I think they probably don't care. If they did, it is very easy these days to whiten, straighten, etc.

No, it is not easy!

Teeth want to go back and must be retained. My son's dentist said braces would be problematic because his teeth are so soft. He did get sealants which was not an option for me when I was younger.
Whitening makes the teeth weaker and isn't for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Cosmetic dentistry is a booming industry. Just because OP chooses to spend thousands on medically unnecessary dental work, does not make her right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few things:

You are conflating cosmetic dental issues with actual health issues related to teeth. There can be some overlap in them, but they arent' the same thing.

People who just have crowding or yellow teeth don't actually have a medical problem. Sometimes crowding can be bad enough to cause issues, but often not. Yellow teeth are just genetic (or due to staining, but most people with yellow teeth just have high levels of dentin in their teeth and can only achieve white teeth with a lot of whitening). Some people don't care about this stuff. 50 years ago most people had both of these, even wealthy people. It's like baldness. Sure, some people will go to great lengths to address baldness. But it's not a health problem and plenty of people who can afford hair plugs or other treatments just don't bother. So that's part of it.

For people who do have serious health issues with their teeth, it's more complicated than you think. I have a lifelong problem with teeth grinding that has caused serious problems with my teeth. I've had multiple root canals and one tooth will likely need to be pulled and replaced with an implant in the next 10-15 years because the second root canal is not doing as well as I'd hoped. Insurance rarely covers these procedures. Each root canal is between $1500-$3000. Crowns cost a few hundred each time, on top of the cost of the RC. An implant will be even more and take months. I am financially comfortable but I don't have a bottomless pit of money to spend on my teeth. I fully understand why people often put off this work or try something temporary to see how it goes.

4. In addition to the money, it's depressing and frustrating. If you've never had serious issues with teeth you might not get this. The reason my teeth are so bad is (1) genetic, and (2) I had an abusive childhood which is how I became a teeth grinder and why the damage is so bad -- it's been going on so long. Dentists will yell at me about the grinding like it's something I want to do and not really get that I'd do anything to stop grinding my teeth. I've had mouth guards but I grind through them, and then I developed sleep apnea that is made worse by the guards so I stopped using them. It sucks. I recently heard that botox might disrupt grinding so I'm looking into trying that. People treat me like my teeth problems are a moral failing but they aren't, they are an unfortunate circumstance I've actually put a lot of work into addressing (and a ton of money) but I still have issues.

If you've never had major problems with your teeth, you don't get this. You probably think people with crooked, missing, or yellow teeth are just bad at flossing or something. Your tooth problems could be addressed with regular cleanings and a few treatments at a cosmetic dentist, while my teeth issues will wind up costing me tens of thousands of dollars, involve hours of time with various specialists, and I'll still probably never have great teeth.

This might have already been suggested , but have you tried Plackers mouth guards? These are the only ones that have worked for me. They’re disposable — so it’s ok if you grind through them in a few days, and they have a very simple design, so they might work for you even if others don’t. I used to spit out the other guards I tried — in my sleep, but these have worked well for me.

Great post👍🏽





https://plackers.com/products/plackers-grind-no-more-night-guard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand not everyone can afford major dental work or handle long procedures, but it’s hard to believe that every person with visibly neglected teeth is dealing with a medical crisis. No one else is thrown off when someone shows up on Zoom with missing teeth or major alignment issues that have clearly gotten worse over decades?

To me, this really does look generational. I’m an older millennial. Pretty much everyone I know grew up with braces, Invisalign, whitening, something. Meanwhile, I see a lot more long-term dental neglect among older generations like Gen X and boomers, who came of age before cosmetic dental care was considered standard. They may simply have a different threshold for what’s “fine.”

And then you look at the younger side. Gen Z and even Gen Alpha kids are whitening teeth immediately after getting braces off. I’ve seen lines of tweens waiting for whitening with their parents. For them, straight and bright teeth aren’t exceptional, they’re expected.

What I still wonder is how people with visibly unmaintained teeth view those who have great ones. Do they think it’s vanity? Excess? Or do they ever wish they’d dealt with things earlier, back when it would have been far easier?

I think they probably don't care. If they did, it is very easy these days to whiten, straighten, etc.

Nope. It’s neither “very easy” nor affordable for many. I’m not going to irreparably damage my healthy teeth with veneers or bleaching because standards have changed. I did briefly have braces as a kid — with the focus on changing my bite. I’m glad that I have had excellent, conservative dentists who have focused on health rather than cosmetic issues.

How long do veneers last, anyway? The thought of damaging my healthy teeth for a process that has to be repeated regularly is a No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand not everyone can afford major dental work or handle long procedures, but it’s hard to believe that every person with visibly neglected teeth is dealing with a medical crisis. No one else is thrown off when someone shows up on Zoom with missing teeth or major alignment issues that have clearly gotten worse over decades?

To me, this really does look generational. I’m an older millennial. Pretty much everyone I know grew up with braces, Invisalign, whitening, something. Meanwhile, I see a lot more long-term dental neglect among older generations like Gen X and boomers, who came of age before cosmetic dental care was considered standard. They may simply have a different threshold for what’s “fine.”

And then you look at the younger side. Gen Z and even Gen Alpha kids are whitening teeth immediately after getting braces off. I’ve seen lines of tweens waiting for whitening with their parents. For them, straight and bright teeth aren’t exceptional, they’re expected.

What I still wonder is how people with visibly unmaintained teeth view those who have great ones. Do they think it’s vanity? Excess? Or do they ever wish they’d dealt with things earlier, back when it would have been far easier?

I think they probably don't care. If they did, it is very easy these days to whiten, straighten, etc.

Nope. It’s neither “very easy” nor affordable for many. I’m not going to irreparably damage my healthy teeth with veneers or bleaching because standards have changed. I did briefly have braces as a kid — with the focus on changing my bite. I’m glad that I have had excellent, conservative dentists who have focused on health rather than cosmetic issues.

How long do veneers last, anyway? The thought of damaging my healthy teeth for a process that has to be repeated regularly is a No.

This. People who think it's easy to whiten and straighten were born with good teeth, and can just get some Invisalign and whitening.

For the record, the only time I really notice dental issues in other people is when they are severe. I met a woman last year who had missing and broken teeth. Like front teeth, not molars. It was hard to look at and I assume she's had a hard life to wind up with that situation. She was not a "high earner." Sometimes I'll notice crooked teeth when it's severe, and I can't help but notice very yellow teeth because we're all being conditioned to expect white teeth. But I have serious dental issues of my own, I have nothing but empathy for people who also have them, and I don't judge people for not going and whitening their teeth or getting them straightened. Unlike OP, I get it -- it's not always as straightforward as you think. Some things are just not a quick and easy fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Dentists will yell at me about the grinding like it's something I want to do and not really get that I'd do anything to stop grinding my teeth

This. Dentists are awful to people with bad teeth, even if our teeth are straight and we try to take good care of them. My husband will come back from an appointment with a new dentist and be like, oh, he is so nice and friendly, and I see the same person and get major attitude for having worn down, not sparkling white teeth that I have been grinding (and wearing a night guard) since I was a teen. I loved our older dentists who did not have the same expectations for tooth perfection that the newer ones seem to have, and I really don;t want to see the young dentist who bought out his practice.

+ 1. I miss my former dentist; he never judged. He recently retired and the young dentist is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge in cosmetic dentistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems like a particular fixation of yours. It is rare that I notice someone’s teeth.

Thank you,
From someone with bad teeth

[Anonymous]

I assume fear

[Anonymous]

I feel badly about my teeth. I go to the dentist every 6 months and do all the right things. Weak enamel and slightly sensitive; they’re yellow but whitening doesn’t work. They’re crooked even w traditional braces as a teen. I’m 55 and starting Invisalign in January.

I’m healthy, active, fit and have a successful job. It’s a me thing, but I feel like my teeth show that I lived an unhealthy lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

My 55 year old husband is a doctor and has significant crowding on his lower teeth which has happened since he was about 45. Fixing this would entail pulling a tooth and getting Invisalign. it's not a priority for him and hasn't hurt him professionally or socially. I would love it if he fixed it but I get why he doesn't hasn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Dentists will yell at me about the grinding like it's something I want to do and not really get that I'd do anything to stop grinding my teeth

This. Dentists are awful to people with bad teeth, even if our teeth are straight and we try to take good care of them. My husband will come back from an appointment with a new dentist and be like, oh, he is so nice and friendly, and I see the same person and get major attitude for having worn down, not sparkling white teeth that I have been grinding (and wearing a night guard) since I was a teen. I loved our older dentists who did not have the same expectations for tooth perfection that the newer ones seem to have, and I really don;t want to see the young dentist who bought out his practice.

I could have written this right down to the husband's teeth. Same dynamic- he has big, straight, thick white teeth with no fillings or dental work. I have fillings and thinner teeth (which became crowns over the last 20 years. Older dentist carry their time/values with them. Like in an Austin Powers way- you could have yellowish, crooked teeth and still be considered human and good-looking. New, young dentist have choppers the at are blue white and I can't think of a polite way to say "I don't want to look like you- I just want to look normal".

Aside from holes in teeth, visible decay and missing teeth, a non-perfect mouth doesn't tip off wealth or poverty. In the same way that younger people will lease or buy a new car they can't afford the upkeep on- same with teeth. Lots of younger people walking around with mouths they can't afford. As each generation ages, they are going to learn/understand what it means to age and what it does to teeth that were both 'fixed' or never 'fixed'. I used to be super judgmental and now that I've had increased wear, I realize that sometimes you do everything right for your health and crap still happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Some simply don't place any importance on their teeth.

Maybe they're not American??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand not everyone can afford major dental work or handle long procedures, but it’s hard to believe that every person with visibly neglected teeth is dealing with a medical crisis. No one else is thrown off when someone shows up on Zoom with missing teeth or major alignment issues that have clearly gotten worse over decades?

To me, this really does look generational. I’m an older millennial. Pretty much everyone I know grew up with braces, Invisalign, whitening, something. Meanwhile, I see a lot more long-term dental neglect among older generations like Gen X and boomers, who came of age before cosmetic dental care was considered standard. They may simply have a different threshold for what’s “fine.”

And then you look at the younger side. Gen Z and even Gen Alpha kids are whitening teeth immediately after getting braces off. I’ve seen lines of tweens waiting for whitening with their parents. For them, straight and bright teeth aren’t exceptional, they’re expected.

What I still wonder is how people with visibly unmaintained teeth view those who have great ones. Do they think it’s vanity? Excess? Or do they ever wish they’d dealt with things earlier, back when it would have been far easier?

Boomers on the older side of the cohort had dental care that didn’t prioritize saving as much of the integrity of the natural tooth as possible. The standard of care was big old box cuts to get amalgam fillings to stay in- drilling out decay as well as healthy tooth structure.In time, filling margins leaked, restorations broke. Secondary decay set in around a tooth that was already compromised and a shell of its former self. Next comes crowns, root canals and sometimes extractions when these procedures fail. It is far more involved than just lower aesthetic standards.