It’s oftentimes cheaper to pay for dental out of pocket.
This is why I pay out of pocket.. and I get to choose my dentist. I pay more for him.. but I consider it worth it. He used to teach as a Prof at USC School of Dentistry and he still keeps up to date on new technology and techniques.
But a lot of folks don’t get dental care. They would rather go out to dinner, watch pay-per-view or whatever. Bad budgetary prioritization.
True.. this is why I feel that High Schools should be teaching some basic living skills instead of spending money on special interests (ie. chicano studies). Have High Schools teach about money, how loans work, basics on investing, budgeting etc.
I also think that part of what helps is the type of toothpaste you use. I used to have a lot of problems with different types because they add sugar to make the toothpaste more palatable.
When I meet a new person, I look at the teeth and belly. Those are good indications of how they have taken care of their health.
Humm.. I might be a mixed bag. I don’t whiten my teeth because it weakens and thins the enamel.. so they have a very slight tint, but they are straight and all there… Belly, humm that is a different problem. My S.O. tends to like to go heavy on the carbs which has added a few pounds to my frame (20lbs on 6’2″.. not too bad).. She has continually said that you have to ‘eat more often’ to lose weight.. which is something the weight loss industry tries to push on you. The truth is that the whole equation breaks down to energy-in(eaten) vs. energy-out(expended). Metabolism is does not get adjusted by eating on different schedules.. it is a constant. The mitochondria have a consistent efficiency which does not change with what you eat. The only thing I have found that makes a difference is when you eat the majority of your food.. it should be front weighted (towards the morning). That said, I still enjoy a periodic mountain bike ride UP Penasquitos Canyon from near the I-5/805 overpass to Poway or beyond.. and then back. Unfortunately, not many like that type of ride. I can’t get my S.O. to join me.. Likewise with hiking.
