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Fall quickies

November 12th, 2009 at 04:11 pm

Dentist
I just got back from a dentist appointment. My teeth would have slight shooting pains whenever I drink something very cold, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to go have a check up. It's fully covered by insurance anyway.

But when I got there, they were also talking about how maybe I should have a bite guard ($400), a crown ($2600), and have my wisdom teeth removed (cost unknown; another specialist). Say, is it normal for me to only have lower wisdom teeth, but not upper?

But anyways, although I didn't say anything, I'm thinking to myself what an insane amount of money they want. To tell you the truth, I don't want them to do any of that. I mean, is there anything in there that is truly necessary?

Plates
I finally checked out Walmart's Corelle plates. I saw a really nice set that is mostly white, but also had a nice, subtle leafy trim on it. Very nice, and also $30. I probably should have picked it up, but for some reason, I just couldn't pull the trigger.

I kept thinking that maybe I won't use it all that much after all. But what made me change my mind was that at least I know what's out there and where to get it. So, whenever I do change my mind again, I'll know exactly where to go to pick it up.

Comfort food
The weather has been rather dreary and, you know, it's funny how the weather can really cost you money if you're not careful. For example, because it's been cold and rainy, I've been having an overwhelming desire for warm comfort food, even when I am not hungry. And that's the problem. I would crave it when I'm not hungry. Not only is there a risk to cost, but I may also over-eat, which I don't want to do.

Besides sheer willpower, I don't know how to fight this though, and I'm open for suggestions if anyone has any.

Gas bill
Finally, I just got my gas bill, and I was very pleasantly surprised that it only costed me $18.75. Considering that the weather has cooled down, I would have expected a lot more.

For the most part though, I've been keeping my temperatures very low (when the kids are not with me). Like 55. I think that's good enough, especially when I am running my computer.

Overall though, I'm enjoying the fall, and I hope you do too.

12 Responses to “Fall quickies”

  1. ceejay74 Says:
    1258042815

    RE: dentist; maybe you should get a second opinion? It's hard to say whether those are necessities or nice-to-haves, and if the latter, they're pretty spendy! Oh, and I only had 2 wisdom teeth (can't remember if they were top or bottom), and the dentist didn't seem overly surprised, so I'm guessing it's not crazy.

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1258042995

    I'd get more opinions. IF I believed every dentist I met, I'd be thousands of dollars poorer. I have seen a couple of dentists up here and been told I need stuff that I don't. So we still see our old dentist 2 hours away. (We got another opinion from a friend - I started to wonder if our old dentist was a quack. Turns he's one of the few good ones. Young friend lives even further away though we may switch to him after other one retires. I've seen the same dentist since I was 4). I was told I needed all my fillings replaced like a decade ago. Complete BS. Along with stuff that our dentist friend told me would only be needed if I had been homeless and/or never brushed my teeth.

    I think a LOT of my friends think I am cheap and I should have listened to these dentists. IT amazes me how gullible people are. I don't think I could have healthier teeth, so why would I trust strangers who ask for $3,000? I don't know what bothers me more - the financial fraud of it all, or to have completely unecessary work done on my mouth???

    The things you mentioned aren't very "scammy," but they do sound pretty optional.

    Wisdom teeth - I only have one. IT's probably normal.

  3. CB in the City Says:
    1258044223

    I never grew ANY wisdom teeth.

    Yes, get a second opinion. My NC dentist told me I must have a crown -- my IL dentist says no. Apparently there is wide disagreement about what is necessary.

  4. monkeymama Says:
    1258045772

    I heard a tip that public school dentists are not as aggressive as private school dentists. (Tip from our dentist friend). I like, "Why fix it if it ain't broken" dentistry, though it comes down to personal philosophy. There are more aggressive dentists who are not scam artists. I just don't think they particularly jive with frugal people. (The ones I saw were scam artists, plain and simple. The suggestion to replace my fillings was merely a difference in opinion though).

  5. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1258047837

    sheesh, can you stand one more dentist opinion? Very very practically speaking (that is without any medical education), I think the dentist just wants to make the subject teeth as perfect as possible. Kinda like an auto mechanic. There's lots and lots of little and bigger things to make your old car run like NEW, but you don't really need to do it all. Got it?

    The comfort food! After reading 'Mindless Eating' recently you are soooooooooo ahead of the game recognizing the cues! So use that to your advantage, if it is the cold weather, bundle up and go do something active (walk the dog, yard work, ice skating!).

    Or put in plain sight low calorie healthy takes on the comfort foods. How about some sugar free hot chocolate? Or roasted carrots w/fresh rosemary? Or poached pears? Get creative with what, if anything is in your garden. The key is to put in easy access, visible and good quantity of healthy stuff.

  6. skydivingchic Says:
    1258047923

    Regarding the bite guard. DBF has a cousin who is a dental hygenist. He went to the dentist several years ago and was told he had some huge number of cavities due to grinding his teeth at night. He called his cousin (who lives 1500 miles away) to inquire about this. She said that this is a known issue with people who grind their teeth and that he needs to wear a bite guard at night. So he had the cavities filled and we went to Target to buy a bite guard. The ones at Target are like $15-20. He has been through several in the last few years, but on his recent dental trip after a 5 year hiatis, he did not have any cavities. So I can see that the bite guard might be a necesity, but they can be had for much cheaper than $400.

    Wisdom teeth. It is normal for people to have only a few, though I am not one of those lucky people. I've been told for years by multiple dentists that I need to have them pulled. I haven't done it yet as they aren't bothering me. The risk is that wisdom teeth often cause pockets to form in your gums which can lead to infection. They can also cause crowding of your other teeth. I am considering having mine taken out, but I won't be having it done until I good and ready or they get infected or something.

  7. ceejay74 Says:
    1258049021

    pretty cheap jewelry's poached pears idea is great! There are other fruits you can turn into warm comfort foods: Apple sauce. Or bake apples with cinnamon & Splenda. Bake bananas with pecans and a touch of maple syrup. Grill long strips of pineapple on a George Forman.

    I have a recipe for a multigrain porridge that's to die for; you just put a little milk, sweetener and nuts on it and a small bowl will really warm you up and stick to your ribs. High fiber awesomeness. Leftovers keep well for at least a week, so you can make a big pot of it. Let me know if you want me to post it!

  8. Broken Arrow Says:
    1258050028

    "Or roasted carrots w/fresh rosemary? Or poached pears?"

    Haha, you must have mistakened me for someone who knows their way around the kitchen. I mean, I wish I do, and maybe some day I will.

    But yeah, that's not a bad idea about having healthy foods around to fight the temptation.

    In fact, I thank you all for the surprising amount of input, especially the dental stuff. Yeah, I don't think I'll be taking those anytime soon. It's a lot of money of what seems like optional stuff.

  9. dmontngrey Says:
    1258052261

    $2600 for a crown? Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor. I finally, after 9 years of work, am at a lull in dentistry. You're gutsy - do a dental school. I got all 6 of my crowns done at Tufts Dental School in Boston. Yup, a trek - but well worth it for me.

  10. Broken Arrow Says:
    1258052487

    So, wait, are you saying that they would do something like this much cheaper at a dental school? Kind of like going to a hair styling adademy for cheap haircuts?

  11. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1258079293

    A bite guard might be a necessity, but like was mentioned, you can get one for a lot less than $400 at Walgreen's or CVS, etc.

    One of my favorite warm comfort foods is peanut butter toast with applesauce warmed up in the microwave or toaster oven. Mmmm mmm!

  12. Purple Flower's Says:
    1258080007

    Dental schools do offer services at a substantial discount; however, the appointment times may be longer and more appointments may be required due to the fact that dental students are just learning and are directly supervised by dentists.

    It is normal to have 0-4+ wisdom teeth. Any of them can be missing or not developed.

    Yeah, I would definitely get a second opinion....$2600 for a crown???

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