Check out dental schools if you cant travel to a low cost country for care. Half the price of a regular dentist and a actual dentist double checked all the work.

Dentists be like: pay me $900 to look at your teeth

Um, I have a mirror, I'll look at my own teeth thank you

you alternate each year based on which side hurts worse

Had enough pain that finally I realized I probably needed some more intense treatment.

Ayup. Had an abscess that was creeping into my sinuses. There was a huge pocket of blood and pus that they had to cut open and drain.

Four root canals still didn't save the tooth and I finally said pull the damn thing and let me go. Now I've got a big hole where a premolar used to be. Oh well

Health insurance: "Hey, we're fucking assholes, but the maximum you'll pay for your care in a year is $XXXX."

Dental insurance: "Hahahaha! Fuck you! The maximum we'll pay for your care in a year is $XXX! Also, we don't cover anything other than cleanings!"

I haven't been to the dentist in 14 years. There is no way I can afford it. Thankfully I don't have any noticeable problems yet.

I stopped going to the dentist 7 years ago because I moved to an area with a shortage. I used to have one or two cavities filled each yearly appointment, but I haven't had any serious issues or pain since I stopped going. I'm a bit worried about future serious issues but I saved so much money, pain and discomfort in the meantime.

And thats how I had all my teeth pulled before age 35! My ability to eat improved and now it'll cost me tens of thousands in debt to get anything functional in their place!

I wanted to eat more soup anyway

Been there. At some point, you need a root canal. And you will get it.

Luxury bones here probably thinks you need a separate weekend and events car.