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Guy Shares How Fixing His Teeth Changed His Life, Explains Why Dental Care Should Be Affordable
They say it only takes 7 seconds to make a first impression and if you ask for advice on how to make the best impression it always includes a smile. Studies have shown that teeth are one of the standout features people remember when first meeting someone. In one study developed by Kelton Research, they found “Americans perceive people with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth, including attributes such as being happy, surrounded by loved ones, and professionally successful.”
The answer to a more attractive and confident set of pearly whites may seem like an easy fix to some – but not for everyone. Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program in the U.S, barely covers most dental-related costs. To help people get the full scope of this issue, twitter user Jon Torsch shared a thread on how much lack of access to dental care had affected his life and affects others.
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Political organizer Jon Torsch took to Twitter to highlight why dental care should be included in all federal-state healthcare insurance programs, by sharing his own story
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Torsch included old photos in the thread to highlight his point
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
The writer also shared an image of his new and improved grin
Image credits: JonTorsch
Image credits: JonTorsch
Industry statistics reported that approximately 23 percent of Americans have no dental coverage, which translates to about 74 million people in the U.S – the simple reason? Cost. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than a third of American adults haven’t seen a dental professional in the past year and the American Dental Association, found 40 percent of adults who didn’t visit a dentist in the past year said they didn’t go because of cost.
People in the comments agreed with his point and even shared their own stories
What do you think ?
IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago
I grew up with a severe open bite, making it so that I could not eat things like an apple, a slice of pizza, or a cupcake. My bite simply didn't close enough to bite into things like that and tear bites off. I also had a crossbite, crooked teeth, and really low self esteem. When I was a child, I hated pizza parties because I wanted to eat a slice like everyone else but had to tear it apart with my fingers, as if I was a baby playing with my food. (unless plasticware was present but usually isn't for such events) As an adult with my first "real" job, I found myself avoiding eating lunch with my coworkers-for 5 years I ate alone. Not only did I not want to deal with situations like us having pizza, but I knew food was get awkwardly stuck in my crooked teeth and I had so many foods that required a fork. (cupcakes, sandwiches, etc.) At the age of 28, I finally had a job with insurance but was now told I was too old for insurance to cover braces. At 29, I paid over $5000.00 for braces.
IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago
continued....I'm so glad I did pay for those braces but at that point, I struggled paying for them while trying to pay off my college education. Also, theres some seriously uncomfortable comments that you receive as a 30+ year old with very noticeable braces. Even my stepchildren, whom I love, made and still make comments about how they don't want to end up as a 30 year old with braces. My husband is trying to make sure they don't have to suffer that embarrassment as well. While its great to finally be able to eat like a normal person, it sucks to have waited to a point where you have become a "lesson learned" for someone else.
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redheadwahine 5 years ago (edited)
I have a severe overjet and misalignment that will require jaw surgery to fix. My lower jaw is receding further every year due to my teeth lining up improperly and wearing away at an accelerated rate to the point that my face shape has completely changed and my lower teeth now dig into the roof of my mouth when my jaw is at rest. The kicker here is that in order to prep my teeth for the jaw surgery (that is medically necessary and covered almost completely by my health insurance), I have to first get braces which given my most recent quote will cost me just shy of $10K out of pocket in California. Since I'm over the age of 24 (I'll be 30 next month), my dental plan covers absolutely no orthodontic procedures or appointments. It boggles my mind how the jaw surgery is covered, but the pre-requisite for said surgery is not.
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Contact a medical school near you. I know UCLA in Los Angeles has a low cost dental program.
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Karin Morris 5 years ago
Your teeth originally weren't as bad as you think. You look wonderful now, but you could have smiled all those years and many people would have never noticed. I understand though. I had all my teeth crowned and my total dentist bill is over 25k
Helen Haley 5 years ago
People notice. People always notice teeth. It is not only limiting socially but professionally. You will be seen as more incompetent, and lower class.
Load More Replies... IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago
I grew up with a severe open bite, making it so that I could not eat things like an apple, a slice of pizza, or a cupcake. My bite simply didn't close enough to bite into things like that and tear bites off. I also had a crossbite, crooked teeth, and really low self esteem. When I was a child, I hated pizza parties because I wanted to eat a slice like everyone else but had to tear it apart with my fingers, as if I was a baby playing with my food. (unless plasticware was present but usually isn't for such events) As an adult with my first "real" job, I found myself avoiding eating lunch with my coworkers-for 5 years I ate alone. Not only did I not want to deal with situations like us having pizza, but I knew food was get awkwardly stuck in my crooked teeth and I had so many foods that required a fork. (cupcakes, sandwiches, etc.) At the age of 28, I finally had a job with insurance but was now told I was too old for insurance to cover braces. At 29, I paid over $5000.00 for braces.
IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago
continued....I'm so glad I did pay for those braces but at that point, I struggled paying for them while trying to pay off my college education. Also, theres some seriously uncomfortable comments that you receive as a 30+ year old with very noticeable braces. Even my stepchildren, whom I love, made and still make comments about how they don't want to end up as a 30 year old with braces. My husband is trying to make sure they don't have to suffer that embarrassment as well. While its great to finally be able to eat like a normal person, it sucks to have waited to a point where you have become a "lesson learned" for someone else.
Load More Replies... redheadwahine 5 years ago (edited)
I have a severe overjet and misalignment that will require jaw surgery to fix. My lower jaw is receding further every year due to my teeth lining up improperly and wearing away at an accelerated rate to the point that my face shape has completely changed and my lower teeth now dig into the roof of my mouth when my jaw is at rest. The kicker here is that in order to prep my teeth for the jaw surgery (that is medically necessary and covered almost completely by my health insurance), I have to first get braces which given my most recent quote will cost me just shy of $10K out of pocket in California. Since I'm over the age of 24 (I'll be 30 next month), my dental plan covers absolutely no orthodontic procedures or appointments. It boggles my mind how the jaw surgery is covered, but the pre-requisite for said surgery is not.
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Contact a medical school near you. I know UCLA in Los Angeles has a low cost dental program.
Load More Replies... Karin Morris 5 years ago
Your teeth originally weren't as bad as you think. You look wonderful now, but you could have smiled all those years and many people would have never noticed. I understand though. I had all my teeth crowned and my total dentist bill is over 25k
Helen Haley 5 years ago
People notice. People always notice teeth. It is not only limiting socially but professionally. You will be seen as more incompetent, and lower class.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
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