Q for people in 40's and 50's -- How much do you spend on dental work each year?

[Anonymous]

We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

I am in late 30's.

Just spent $500, had to redo old fillings and some new fillings.
I floss and brush daily and get regular cleanings, both my parents don't have the best dental hygiene.

[Anonymous]

early 40s just had two cracked teeth that needed crowns. $1500 each. I guess I should start wearing that $650 night guard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

You know those 2 extra cleanings per year are optional right? Of course they can "recommend" you get monthly or bimonthly cleanings if you want to pay for it....

[Anonymous]

I think I spent $3000 one year on gum grafts but other years I don't need anything major done.

[Anonymous]

I spend 1200-2500 a year easily (crowns/root canal/implant, etc). My teeth are in horrible shape. When I was in 3rd grade, I started on a 10 year stint with braces and retainers. Ate candy + didn't clean how I should. Seriously paying for it now.

It is what it is. I account for it in my FSA planning.

[Anonymous]

48 yr old here. I spend $0. Regular cleanings are included in my plan. I replaced two cracked fillings last year. Those were included too. Guess we h ave a good plan. Spouse is 56 and also spends nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:early 40s just had two cracked teeth that needed crowns. $1500 each. I guess I should start wearing that $650 night guard.

+100. I wish so much I had worn my night guard regularly. I have had teeth crack from grinding my teeth at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

You know those 2 extra cleanings per year are optional right? Of course they can "recommend" you get monthly or bimonthly cleanings if you want to pay for it....

OP here. Yes, the 2 extra cleanings are optional, but we trust our dentist. I figure it's better to do what's recommended than to go by what the insurance company will pay for.

[Anonymous]

Been convinced to get cleanings every 3 months too based on periodontal disease. Now I am getting a crown. I feel like I am always there and it's driving me nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:early 40s just had two cracked teeth that needed crowns. $1500 each. I guess I should start wearing that $650 night guard.

+100. I wish so much I had worn my night guard regularly. I have had teeth crack from grinding my teeth at night.

Oh, I'm not alone!
Cracked 3! crowns one after another in last 4 month, looking at ~$3k bill after insurance , and just cracked temp crown dentist put in...
I guess I need to order night guard too.... Ouch

[Anonymous]

Mid 50's just had tooth extraction in preparation for implant. $5000 total expense. Same tooth that I've already spent $3000 on with two root canals and crown and was told initially someday it might fail completely. Not surprised by the new expense but, I'm never going to fall for that extra cleaning trick. That is just padding. My dentist is far less busy now because of so much competition and overall better hygiene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

Dental work doesn't last more than 20 years or so. I had a lot of work done in my 30's, and I'm now replacing a lot of it in my 50's. Grew up on well water, which is not great for the teeth since it lacks fluoridation.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I have needed a crown and root canal both in 2015 and 2016, but nothing before that, so lately, a few thousand a year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We find ourselves with a lot of dental expenses in our mid-50's, even though we feel that we have good teeth and good dental hygiene.

Our dentist recommends cleanings every 3 month (instead of every 6 months), and so we pay 2x out of pocket.

DH and I wearing night guards to avoid grinding our teeth. Each of those was $1000, but it seems worth it to preserve our teeth and gums.

DH needed a gum grafting, and I needed a crown. Those were expensive.

I am reluctant to say it, but we use an out-of-network dentist.

Anyone else here do something similar, where you're spending about $1500 per year just for each adult in the household? Thank you!

You know those 2 extra cleanings per year are optional right? Of course they can "recommend" you get monthly or bimonthly cleanings if you want to pay for it....

OP here. Yes, the 2 extra cleanings are optional, but we trust our dentist. I figure it's better to do what's recommended than to go by what the insurance company will pay for.

You dentist is selling you something that has zero scientific evidence to back it up -- which is why no health plan pays for it.