Autoimmune

[djmu]

My oral health practices have been positive as recommended by dental professionals through my lifetime. Yet I have suffered with cavities that culminated in root canal/crowns and eventually tooth removal. I am left with my smile but not nothing in back to masticate my food. My current concern is jaw bone loss. This could be stopped by getting implants. Insurance seems to look at that procedure as elective. Has anyone in this Celiac Community experienced oral treatments as a medical issue deserving of proper insurance coverage. Dental implants are in the neighborhood of $5,000 each and I need 2 or possibly 3 and it is outside the limits of financial practicality. I'm sure others face a similar dilemma.

[trents]

Tooth enamel loss and  jawbone demineralization are common in the celiac community, especially since it typically takes many years to get a celiac diagnosis. I just had a front tooth implant competed last week and it cost me over $8k out of pocket. The tooth enamel had been "resorbed" the dentist said. My health insurance did not have dental coverage at all. I half-quipped with the dentist to just pull them all and go for uppers and lowers but he wasn't open to it. I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

[Scott Adams]

As of my last update in January 2022, Medicare typically does not cover dental procedures such as tooth implants. Medicare Part A may cover certain dental services that are necessary for the treatment of a medical condition, such as jaw reconstruction after an injury or certain dental procedures performed in a hospital setting. However, routine dental care, including tooth implants, is generally not covered by Medicare.

Some Americans do choose to travel to Mexico for dental care, including procedures like tooth implants, in order to potentially save money. Dental care in Mexico can be significantly less expensive compared to the United States due to lower labor costs, overhead expenses, and sometimes different regulatory standards. 

Follow-up Care: Consider how you'll handle follow-up care and any potential complications that may arise after the procedure. Will you be able to easily return to Mexico if needed, or will you need to find a local dentist in the United States to provide follow-up care?

Travel Costs: While the cost of dental care in Mexico may be lower, you'll also need to factor in the expenses associated with travel, including transportation, lodging, and meals. Be sure to weigh these additional costs when comparing the overall expense of getting dental work done abroad versus in the United States.

[trents]

Most of the people I know that get their expensive dental care done in Mexico are snow birds who winter in Yuma every year anyway.

[Scott Adams]

Yes, and the cost savings for doing this there can be substantial, and the dentists are often trained in the USA.

[Wheatwacked]

If you are old enough for Medicare, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) cover dental and vision.

Get tested for low vitamin D.  The low vitamin D recommended by our health care system, not less than 30 ng/ml, is enough to prevent rickets in kids but not enough for our  bone density and dental health, immund and mental health.

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Periodontal Pathology  "The optimal 25(OH)D3 recommended concentration in blood plasma for skeletal bone tissue is no lower than 80 nmol/L, for periodontal tissue—approximately 90–100 nmol/L.  Lower concentrations are associated with periodontal disease progression and tooth loss" 

In the US most labs use ng/ml to measure vitamin D.  100 nmol/L is equivalent to only 40 ng/ml.  Safe normal limit is around 80 ng/ml.  Without sunshine it takes around 10,000 IU a day to maintain 80 ng/ml year round.  80 ng/ml is equivalent to 200 nmol/L.  40% of us in the northern hemisphrere (US, Canada, UK and Ireland for example)   

Vitamin D deficiency is a common global issue. About 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency, while 50% of the population has vitamin D insufficiency.

Approximately 35% of adults in the United States have vitamin D deficiency.

• A lifeguard study that found vitamin D levels in the 70 ng/mL range up to 100 ng/mL (nature’s level) were associated with no adverse effects;
• Data in patients with breast cancer showing a reduction in the incidence of new cancer with postulated 0 point at 80 ng/mL;
• Colon cancer data showing a reduction in the incidence of new cancer (linear) with postulated 0 point at 75 ng/mL;

Edited February 14, 2024 by Wheatwacked

[OfcVal]

I had problems with my teeth since 1st grade - toothaches and fillings.  My teeth were yellow growing up even though I regularly brushed.  Over the years dentists didn’t hesitate to tell me that my oral hygiene was horrible.  It was so embarrassing.  I paid thousands of dollars for fillings, root canals, crowns, and bridges.  I wasn’t diagnosed with Celiac until I was 50 years old.   It was too late.  I lost my top front teeth and now have a bridge for those.  I have a partial for my bottom teeth but am unable to wear it because it is painful.  My self-esteem suffered a lot throughout my life - not just because my teeth were unhealthy, but due to others assuming their condition was a result of poor oral hygiene.