What's Bugging You Today? Volume 3, Part 1

[Gohron]

I think it stems from the fact that insurance companies usually haggle with doctors and hospitals to get reduced costs for treatment. There's not as much money in dentistry and most dentists can't afford this haggling.

In other "bugging me news", I am so incredibly exhausted. I need to start using a daily planner to ration out my time more effectively so I can allow a little more time for sleep. Baby+marriage+school+work does not equal very much fun.

[kedawa]

I've never had a dentist bill my insurance plan hundreds of dollars for a half hour conversation. I can't say the same of general practitioners.

[Diff-chan]

Most people only go to the dentist 2-3 times a year. So the coverage is fairly predictable there, it is mainly a matter of how much of a deductible they want.

Okay, why is everything else covered so poorly? My theory is that it is because it gives people an incentive to go to the dentist for regular checkups and take care of their teeth. Most problems that warrant more dental care are highly dependent on how well you take care of your teeth, after all. It also keeps costs down, people don't want to pay a lot for dental care in general.

[Compass]

I don't know about that. I think genetics plays a significant role. I brush and floss after most meals (even at work), and have done six-month check-ups my entire life. I've already had three root canals, and way too many cavities.

[Gohron]

There's a ton of factors. Genetics, diet and other health related factors. Human teeth are very fragile but evolution probably hasn't caught us up to the amount of sugar in our modern diets. Part of the reason is that our mouths are so filthy while many animals don't have as much bacteria in their mouths.

Either way, I've always found good teeth maintanence to be a pain. I brush my teeth when I should but flossing can be tough to do and I feel like I rarely have the time to do it right. I'm not in terrible shape but I've got some cavities and lost a tooth last year because I couldn't afford a root canal and was in too much pain to stick it out until I could.

I'm going to try and have fun with my kids when they brush an floss. I also would like to find them a good dentist who doesn't try and make them feel like shit every time their teeth are a little dirty. I've always hated doing this stuff ever since I was a little kid and I've come to believe that most dentists got into their profession because they're con-artist tricksters and/or closet sadists. Getting braces on really sealed the deal for me. I'm about 100% sure that my orthodontist took great pleasure every time they tightened my braces and caused me great pain (I'm also a pussy when it comes to tooth pain). He also told my parents that if my wisdom teeth came in, they'd probably fuck up my mouth but not to get them removed because if they did come in, I'd be 18 and it'd be my problem. That's exactly what happened. Fucking asshole.

[kedawa]

There's a ton of factors. Genetics, diet and other health related factors. Human teeth are very fragile but evolution probably hasn't caught us up to the amount of sugar in our modern diets. Part of the reason is that our mouths are so filthy while many animals don't have as much bacteria in their mouths.

Most vertebrates have much more bacteria in their mouths than humans do. Some of them even depend on it for their survival. You have to also keep in mind that we've had teeth for far longer than we've had toothbrushes and stuff, so we really should be ahead of the game.

[Gohron]

Most vertebrates have much more bacteria in their mouths than humans do. Some of them even depend on it for their survival. You have to also keep in mind that we've had teeth for far longer than we've had toothbrushes and stuff, so we really should be ahead of the game.

Isn't it so called "good" bacteria in a lot of cases though? I was under the impression that a lot of tooth/gum problems were caused by bacteria build up on sugars and whatnot. I also know that when people get bit by another person or cut themselves on a tooth (punching somebody for example) that it's pretty likely to cause an infection.

Perhaps I just don't know what I'm talking about as well...

[kedawa]

The bacteria in your own mouth isn't much of a threat to you, at least as far as infections are concerned.
Someone else's bacteria might be a problem, but I'm not really sure. Animal bites often cause infections, though.
Plaque is bad news, but that's something that affects any animal with teeth that don't constantly grow or get replaced.
A lot of animals don't outlast their teeth because they simply can't survive without them.
We can live far longer than our ancestors ever did, but we still have teeth that won't last more than a few decades without regular maintenance.

[Timber]

I don't know about that. I think genetics plays a significant role. I brush and floss after most meals (even at work), and have done six-month check-ups my entire life. I've already had three root canals, and way too many cavities.

Thank Jebus for genetics. I haven't been to the dentist in about 4 years, I've also never had a single problem with my teeth my whole life. I've had 2 separate dentists tell me I have some crazy thick enamel that protects my teeth. I brush twice a day and try to floss a couple of times a week.

[Fe 26]

Timber comes from a long line of horrible eaters. The week were culled long ago.