Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Importance of a Smile


Good dental health is a blessing. It is also costly and not an option for many people. When I was young, I rarely went to the dentist. When I did go, it was always and only for an emergency. I went to get teeth pulled--like the time I cracked a tooth on a lollipop.

My parents could not afford dental visits either. They both had full sets of dentures by the time they were fifty years old.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to fall in love with a man who had a dental plan as part of his benefits package at work. I still have most of my own teeth--except for a bridge in the place of that empty spot due to that hard lollipop.

Our daughters regularly visited the dentist throughout their childhood. Their teeth are in much better condition than mine.

I just got another crown on one of my teeth this week. A tooth had cracked when I chomped down on a hard pizza crust. Our dental plan does not cover the entire cost, but at least it does pay for a portion of the bill.

When I see people with terrible teeth, I remember the pain I had as a youngster.

We need affordable dental care in this country and we need it for everyone.

3 comments:

Terri Brisbin said...

As a dental hygienist, I salute you for this blog and remind you to floss that new crown well and often!


Terri B

Penelope Marzec said...

I promise I will floss! :^)

Lita Harris said...

Your post was like reading a piece of my history--no trip to the dentist unless the tooth was throbbing and ready to be yanked. A husband with a dental plan is a wonderful thing.