April 20, 2006
The Price of a Smile
Just got back from round 2 with the dentist. I went earlier this week for my 6-month cleaning and had to come back for some preventative work today (no cavities though!). Plus, I needed to get fitted for a new mouthguard that protects my teeth from my nightly teeth grinding, which my friend Ed is convinced is more prevalent in Koreans and explains why we have square jars (go figure).
I have always grinded my teeth, even as a kid. I knew that I had this problem as a kid because my brother Martin, with whom I shared a bedroom for most of childhood, used to tell me. Of course, he always kindly told me after I complained about his loud snoring (which required a nightly pillow beat down). For those who have experienced sleeping beside a teeth grinder, you will agree that the noise we generate can be quite...well...grinding. A bit of nashing, squeaking, chomping, and sometimes piercing.
Anyway, the mouthguard that I used to have came with a lifetime guarantee, but I have now broken two of them in 3 years! So, my dentist (probably not wanting to waste more $ on me) has suggested a custom molded one that is purportedly made of stronger plastic. Alas, the price of saving my well worn Korean teeth.
Still, I can't complain about these dentist visits. I sort of enjoy them because I went irregularly as a kid and saw it as such a privilege. Dental insurance was a luxury that we did not have growing up working class. So, we went when my mom thought it would be a good idea (translation: every few years). Now, I feel like I need to take advantage of my dental insurance. What a luxury to have clean, healthy teeth!
Posted by richlee at April 20, 2006 12:24 PMrich, 2 mouthguards in 3 years? impressive. i lost 3 retainers in 4 years and finally my orthodontist glued (yes glued) a retainer into my mouth because he was sick of making me new ones. it is still there and I can't find anyone who knows how to take it out!
stine
Wow, you broke the teeth guard!?
I'm Japanese/Chinese and me, my mom (Chinese), and my sister all grind our teeth. So do a bunch of my friends who are mostly Japanese American I think.
Posted by: Robyn at April 21, 2006 07:59 PMA fixed retainer (the one that you now have glued in place) is actually pretty common. Quite a few orthodontists use them routinely since they don't have to worry about whether their patients are wearing their removable retainers. Personally, I am not a huge fan of fixed retainers. They tend to collected food and calculus (tartar). Dental hygienists generally hate them.
Incidentally, they are not difficult to remove but it should be done by an orthodontist. I would recommend getting a new removable retainer if you choose to do this. It is the only way to ensure that your teeth will stay straight.
Posted by: Matthew Dunn at May 10, 2007 05:53 PM