good teeth are a luxury only the rich can afford 😬 | Internet Analysis
yes a 56 minute video about TEETH! let's discuss influencer smiles, the rise of veneers, and the fact that dental care is a human right!! we all deserve better! // if you'd like to support me on Patreon: / tiffanyferg
#internetanalysis #veneers #dentalcare
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - intro
1:36 - the Hollywood smile
3:29 - social media's impact & the influencer smile
7:42 - the rise of veneers
9:46 - dental tourism and "Turkey teeth"
10:59 - selling the perfect smile
12:32 - the class implications of our teeth
18:50 - class mobility, "got a bag and fixed my teeth"
19:47 - financial barriers (can't afford dental care)
21:40 - example prices for US & UK dental care (without insurance, NHS dental, and private care)
23:49 - my $2000 dentist horror story
25:46 - inaccessibility / lack of dentists in your area
27:30 - dental fear, anxiety, & embarrassment
29:50 - SmileDirectClub (my experience with "at home orthodontics")
36:30 - clip-on / temporary "veneers" like InstaSmile
39:25 - why is dental care treated like a luxury?
41:29 - Medicaid (for low income Americans)
44:16 - classism & stigmas against poor people within dentistry
48:59 - deadly tooth infections (Kyle Willis & Deamonte Driver)
52:36 - what can be done? solutions?
55:34 - Patreon love!
SOURCES & other references:
"Teeth" by Mary Otto - bookshop.org/a/15495/97816209... (affiliate link)
The History of the Big, Bright, American Smile - www.allure.com/story/american...
Why Is America Obsessed With Perfecting Its Teeth? - www.thecut.com/2015/06/why-is...
Woman Glues Her Teeth Back In Place To Avoid The Dentist (Tonic) - • Woman Glues Her Teeth ...
the BBL epidemic... we need to talk about it (Bri Nobles) - • the BBL epidemic...we ...
the BBL epidemic (Madisyn Brown) - • the BBL epidemic
MY TEETH JOURNEY | BEFORE VENEERS AND AFTER - • MY TEETH JOURNEY | BE...
No TikTokers, you don't need to file your teeth down to get veneers - • No, TikTokers, you don...
Why Does Everyone Suddenly Have Fancy Fake Teeth? - www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...
I Had My Veneers Done Abroad & Here's What I Want You To Know - www.refinery29.com/en-gb/vene...
No One Told Me Being Middle Class Meant Wearing My Retainer Forever (Anne Helen Petersen) - annehelen.substack.com/p/no-o...
Sarah Hawkinson, "getting dental implants | part 1: anxiety, cost & consultation" - • getting dental implant...
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Tiffany Ferguson (she/her), 25 years old, currently in NYC. Here on Tiffanyferg, my main series is called Internet Analysis, where I research and discuss topics related to social issues and media.
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FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links with * are affiliate, meaning I am compensated monetarily if you join or make a purchase.
BTW people have pointed out the ads on this video, (as per usual) are selling many of the very things I’m criticizing hahaha I’m gonna see if I can block the “at home aligner” ads especially bc I no longer endorse those!! (Don’t miss my section on smiledirectclub)
Yeah I got one for candid aligners
Thank you so much for continually addressing the issues that poor and working class people face living under capitalism in the United States of America
I was a dental assistant for several years and to my knowledge this video was very well researched. Great job as always!
HAHHAHDDHEH I JUST GOT ONE FOR CANDID ALOGNERS
I also just got the candid aligners ad 💀
“don’t comment on someone’s appearance if it can’t be fixed in five minutes or less” is a saying more people should start abiding by
Yes! You should only comment on someone's teeth if you're telling them there's something stuck in them imo
Yess ! This is good rule to live by.
unless you’re complimenting them!
@@sarahshoe7013 Even then, you might want to stray from complimenting things people can't control unless you know how the person feels about such compliments. I know of people who really don't like comments on their physical features, but appreciate stuff like compliments on clothes.
I forgot where I first stumbled upon this quote couple years ago and has become my moto since.. this really turn you into a kinder person
“Rich people getting the thing for free then selling the thing to people who can’t afford it.” Damn.
Happens all the times!
Its so ridiculous!
Even worst. people are paying for the rich person that can afford it to get it for free. That’s the only reason rich people are given things - in exchange for the profits off poor consumers for promoting it.
@@kineybus2473 Yeah, i suffer from eczema and i only have money to get a lotion full of steroids. While at first it does helps with bad eczema at the end of the day I could get topical steroid withdrawal, so I chose just to not try anything. I've been seeing this skin treatment for dermatitis that is actually cheaper than other dermatologist brands, and I'm not kidding, that brand is EVERYWHERE giving free products to influencers and I'm here dying from eczema because even if it's cheaper I still can't afford it. It drives me nuts having to choose between taking care of my skin or paying rent. And people still have the guts to have an opinion telling me "why don't you just go to a dermatologist?" no shit!
Isn't that how it's always been? Feels like it.
I was bullied hardcore and isolated from the age of 11 all the way until I was 18 for having crooked teeth because I grew up with a single mom and we were in poverty. I am now still paying off my braces, and I can tell u right away people have been drastically much kinder to me now that my teeth are straight. I've gotten more opportunities, and suddenly a lot more people would like to be my friend. It really is so disturbing.
Me too! I was ostracized during my adolescence because I had a large gap + buck teeth. I just finished Invisalign at 22 and am still paying it off. People treat me so drastically different it’s insane. Invisalign changed my life.
Fact DENTISTS BY LAW ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP EVERYONE INCLUDING THE POOR,I DARE YOU PROVE OTHERWISE 😡😡😡
And I lost one tooth
The dentists who do the free traveling clinics are literal heroes.
I often get comments along the lines of "why do you have braces at 23?" It really just highlights how people who grew up in higher income households don't even have to consider the financial obstacles other people can face when it comes to getting dental care.
I’m 32 and just saved up enough to afford braces and get that question constantly. I never actually stopped to question why
I'm 17 and got braces just now because during the crisis my family wasn't able to afford it. For this reason I had to get rid of 3 teeth because my mouth wasn't "buildable" anymore
This is interesting because in the U.K if your parents can't afford getting braces due to their income it will be covered by the nhs so we see less adults with braces.
@@tracymay6078 in austria everyone under 18 yo can get braces if their teeth impacting their health. 1/3 of my class in highschool had "free" braces.
Exactly... Braces are at least a thousand dollars where I live. I don't have my own job yet since I'm a full-time student, but studying in schools where the majority are relatively well-off, I never want to smile with my mouth open:((.
Honestly pisses me off when my USA dentist points out my “yellow” teeth. He’ll say “you have a beautiful smile, but you need to start using a whitening kit! Everything looks good but the color” every single time I see him. When I go back to the Philippines my dentist always compliments my “white” teeth and says not to change anything but in America they’re not white enough😂 like if I don’t have gum disease, cavities, and my breath doesn’t stink then why does it matter?
Yeah no, any dentist should agree that whitening kits can strip enamel and be even worse for teeth. Wth
It’s so weird how white teeth are the absolute norm in the USA since the color is purely aesthetic (unless your teeth are a darker shade of yellow or other color there’s nothing wrong with them). I remember when the internet made a big deal about how brave Harry styles was to not whiten his teeth and I was just like??
everytime I go to the dentist, the same thing happens but also with braces. My teeth are straight enough for me, it doesn’t bother me. And I tell them that but I feel almost bullied going there because even I could afford them I wouldn’t get them but they make it seem like semi yellow teeth and one crooked tooth will ruin my life forever.
My dentist suggested teeth whitening as well
I guess we will find a way to complain about other people, because im still pissed off that my family dentist (who was very good and saved my dads teeth) never wanted me to have braces because it was "a minor aesthetic issue" nor whiten my teeth, and now my new dentist say they cant whiten them up because the stains are too far back on the teeth so it wont do much. I hate it, im a happy person and i think the shape of my smile is pretty good so it sucks that i have to hide it and look like a weirdo everytime.
as someone who has chiclet teeth and whose mom couldn’t afford braces for me when i was a kid, this video hit hard. thank you for talking about this!
I'm so sorry you relate to this video too but I love your video essays
It’s a crime that you aren’t verified.
@@smallandstressed2364 Now they are!
Something I learned growing up is even just the privilege teeth genetics can offer people in the longterm. I have almost no dental costs yearly. Never “needed” braces. Never had cavities and my wisdom teeth grew in straight and didn’t need to be removed. I didn’t start flossing regularly until my mid twenties and often still brush once a day. My brother has had the complete opposite situation: braces, constant cavities, root canals, crowns, wisdom teeth removal. He’s been brushing twice daily and flossing since we were teens and still has to see the dentist multiple times a year. We make roughly the same yearly income, so the impact different levels of dental costs have on our salaries is very apparent and in this case it’s just the random luck of genetics
FACT DENTISTS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP EVERYONE INCLUDING THE MIDDLE CLASS AND POOR IN FACT DENTISTS DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL RIGHT TO HELP ONLY THE WEALTHY,I DARE YOU PROVE OTHERWISE 😡😡😡
Yeeees. Now add glasses to dat
My kid goes to a Title I school, which means majority-poor. They all receive free dental check ups twice a year, which I think is a great program. Dentists actually come to the school and do it during the school day, so the parents don't have to take time off or find transportation. When problems are found, parents are also referred to assistance programs. Our state health department has a large oral health program because they've realized how it affects overall health. The students also all get free fluoride varnishes.
Thats so cool! I wish this kind if program was more widespread
if this was implemented in all school districts could you imagine how much less of a problem dental care would be
Lol when I was little I thought everyone got that (my school also had free vision and hearing tests). Imagine my shock when I learned some kids had to pay for their lunches! Yeah like lower middle class kids were the "rich kids".
@@basicallyperidot5299 we also had free vision and hearing, but it was more of a screening kind of thing and it stopped past middle school
Yes these programs are so important! ❤️
It’s a bit weird that out of all the things we choose to fixate on, we choose our skull extensions and we’re like make those chompers downright reflective. 😬
Right?! Like at this point we're just weird as hell, people are flexing bones being a typically unnatural white, huh? It's bizarre and has been to me since I learned a bit about teeth as a little kid.
Lmaoo never thought of it like this. But imma fixate😂😂
@@mewmew6158 teeth are not bones ^^ but yeah humans are weird!
kzhead.info/sun/qauRicmJZ4l4eps/bejne.html
@@choicethetaurus Imagine self promoting and the song is actually good
My mother was a Mexican immigrant, she legalized me when I was 8 and then she did the same around her mid 30s. I remember her telling me brush your teeth, don't eat a whole lot sugar because we don't have insurance. When we got Medicare we were always got turned down. It wasn't until I was 17 I got my braces. We both cried and celebrated it because we were finally able to afford and obtain a good insurance. This video hitted home so much, God Bless you ❤
This is such a sensitive topic for me. I haven’t had dental care literally in years, and I need restorative work done. I’d love to have an “imperfect” smile at this point because it would be 100% better than the condition my teeth are in now. I finally have health insurance again and I’m dreading going to the dentist. Some wouldn’t understand, but there’s so much shame and embarrassment involved when your teeth get bad. Unfortunately not even all the people working in dentistry know that..I still remember how I felt over a little joke that a tech made years ago during an appointment. So I’ll be looking for a provider that takes my Medicaid and trying to get past the anxiety and knowing that it will take a small fortune to fix my teeth.
Do it before it is to late. Replacing a tooth was not cheap !
Also, those dentists who complain about their patients not taking care of their teeth forget about how hard food deserts can make it for people to buy healthy foods that will in turn, keep their teeth healthy. 🙄
Hey play auntie! ★彡(⌒▽⌒)
I've never had a dentist who asked about what food I eat, just how often I brush and floss.
@@krombopulos_michael Having a diet of more processed foods that tend to be higher in sugars is known to be significantly worse for your teeth though, which is why people need more regular cleanings and preventative care to keep their teeth healthy nowadays. If you live in a food desert, these kinds of foods are probably all you have access to, which affects your oral health.
Oh our favorite!
Absolutely!!
Something little-known about dental hygiene and care: The more untreated cavities, missing teeth etc. a person has, the more at risk a person is of dementia and heart disease. Private health is fucking vile.
i didn't even know this!
Bacteria in the mouth might be causing heart and circulatory health issues
At the risk of sounding “woke”, it seems a lot of the systems are made to maintain class structures. Many people don’t want equality. They want more for them and less for you. The dental associations and schools are intentionally impossible for most people to pay for. It makes it so you have to be fairly rich to even become a dentist. Then, once you graduate, if you have even some debt, which is likely even if your parents are dentists, guess where most of the dentists and orthodontists go? To the big cities like LA, where they can get their money back. Hence a boatload of dentists in rich cities, and virtually none in poorer places. It’s a classic vicious cycle of late stage capitalism.
facts. I wish more people would think like you.
Absolutely spot on.
🎯🎯🎯
Yes! I live in a rural area and it usually takes 2-3 months in order to be seen by a dentist because there aren’t enough dentists for the amount of people.
Not just living in a city/(local)major metropolitan area, but living in the "RIGHT" part(s) of a city makes a huge difference too, especially when local public transportation is bs.
When I used to have dental insurance, every appointment was a nightmare with me trying to explain how my depression causes inconsistent oral hygiene and then trying to come up with the money for the part that STILL wasn’t covered. One of the worst realizations I’ve had about the human race is that the powers that be know that we don’t need teeth or eyes to stay alive. That’s why dental and vision are considered luxuries. I’ll never understand how we can just lie down and take it for generation after generation.
"we don’t need teeth or eyes to stay alive. That’s why dental and vision are considered luxuries." wow... holy shit you just hit it right on the head there. and that just broke my heart...
Yep. Can't work with a broken hand but you can work with a painful cavity
@@bece00 I mean you do need eyes to work
Actually your teeth health does affect your health dentistry being aesthetized aside
@@idek7438 there are blind people with jobs.
dreams about your teeth falling out are supposed to mean you’re having anxiety around your financial situation which actually makes so much sense with this video lol
i thought it was also about getting old and dying????? either way it is such a scary dream lol
Really... I once did...dental care are a privilege
i used to get them all the time as a kid, they were the most painful nightmares
I think it means you're grinding your teeth in your sleep, and doing lots of damage
For me it was anxiety that maybe I wasn't taking the best care of my teeth, then I'd have nightmares of them falling out or them being really bad
I haven’t been to a dentist in years after being told I had “meth mouth” after suffering from an eating disorder and growing up in poverty.. I put off watching this video because I knew it would hurt but it was so well done. kudos
I'm so glad you are taking it gently on yourself. You've been through a lot and are strong.
@@sarah3796 I second this
Are you and your teeth ok now? I really hope you got the help you needed (mental health care I mean). Bulimia and binge eating really fucked with my teeth and I couldnt risk them finding out about my "shameful" secret. The recovery process really only gets worse before it gets better. It's a debilitating mental illness.
I’ve had a eating disorder as well, it’s the worst. *hugs*
🤦🏻♀️
As an aspiring dentist I really appreciate you discussing this topic. I’ve never fully educated myself about the barriers to dental care. This is really eye opening and I’ll carry this knowledge with me if I ever make it to dental school :)
Good luck on your studies! I wish you the best in your academic future.
@@elenaKS230 thank you so much!! It means a lot :)
I’d love to know if you made it! I hope you did. Someone willing to listen would be a blessing. I have 2 teeth that are just decaying away because no one takes my insurance for surgical extractions. They won’t even talk to me. I’ve had offices that are technically on my plan hang up on me when I say Texas Star (aka Medicaid) The best I can do is just keep waterpicking more and more tooth away over time and get antibiotics at the urgent care when I get an abscess. The one major thing that would have helped me was prices being posted up front. I’m scared of going in and not being able to pay and no one really wants to give you prices until you’re there for your appointment.
as a fellow predent gearing up to apply in the next few years,, rooting for you!!
Please do
coming from someone who still has crooked teeth because my mother can’t afford to get me braces, this video means a lot to me. i’m really glad that i’m not the only one who thinks so. i’ve kept the fact that my smile is one of my insecurities to myself for a long time because it’s easy for someone who can afford braces, or have never needed them, to just be like “hAvE yOu tRiEd cOnSiDeRiNg bRacEs??” like yes lol. i have. you got the $1500 down payment luv ?
I feel you. Every time i go to the dentist my dentist tells me "you know you need braces, right?" And I just sit there like 😑 I KNOW. I can't afford it. My teeth are VERY visibly crooked. One of my front top teeth is off to the side. I can't do anything about it. I'm 19 in university on financial aid and I don't have the time to get a job or my grades will drop and I will no longer be able to go to school. I've never dated anyone and I wonder if it's because my teeth make me super unattractive. I don't like to smile because I know my teeth are ugly. It's just awful
me, a non-american having no idea what veneers are: terrified, absolutely terrified WTF WOULD YOU DO THAT???
Same 😂
But where are you from? Don’t be fooled, people will probably also have veneers in your country. Your name looks a little Dutch, so if you’re indeed dutch, veneers are very popular there too.
Veneers actually just go on top of your teeth, this TikTok trend completely mis-labeled the proceedure. What these people are getting are teeth Crowns, not veneers. For veneers they might just lightly sand the surface of the tooth and that's it.
Same tho
@@Monaslifeoncamera okay, BUT STILL TERRIFYING!
I remember feeling SO GUILTY as a child whenever I’d get a cavity because we didn’t have dental insurance. Nothing hurt more than being told I just charged my parents hundreds of dollars for “not brushing my teeth” :((
I'm sorry you had to go through that! I get how importan dental hygene is and how brushing, flossing etc can greatly reduce the risk of some things, but I don't get why we don't get told very often how genetics play a very big part in what we can get. I'm very lucky because I never got a cavity until last year (it got very deep because I didn't notice), but I only found out I have genetically good teeth like at 19/20. I didn't know it was a thing. I also didn't know that teeth whitening can increase the risk of cavities and such and that naturally darker teeth are usually less prone to problems. It's so fucked that things that a lot of times are uncontrollable (like if you have crooked teeth and can't properly clean some spots you might have more problems) get blamed on people and are expensive to fix. Man I hate this
Me too! I'd cry on the way home every time I'd get a cavity. Especially because they'd push the "it's your fault, brush your teeth and floss." When I actually had really good hygiene! I brushed 3X a day sometimes and 2X a day every day. I even bought a the fancy equipment to help and I still got cavities.
Drinking green tea could help because of the antioxidants
I had asthma bad as a kid. And asthma medication actually causes cavities and you’re supposed to brush right after. And even that isn’t going to help a ton.
@@WarmSun_MGM whoa that explains why my brother has 17 cavities
I’d be glad to pay so much more in taxes if I could guarantee healthcare for my family or anybody struggling financially. What’s crazy is that socialized medicine would be far cheaper than paying for insurance.
Yeah, it's a problem of the hypercapitalistic system. In countries with less capitalism and more social healthcare, the government wants people to be healthy because healthy people == higher production == more money made in the country. While in the US, with its extremely capitalistic hellscape privatized healthcare system they want people to be sick so they can make money off of them. The government/society doesn't care about the health of its residents. All it cares is about how much money it can extract from them.
Same, I'm so tired of the suffering pf people.. It kills me.. I suffer myself but seeing others go through it too... The US needs to change so bad. If everyone can get good health then it would raise productively and lower our huge debt... Not sure what doesnt make sense. Even for the capitalist system. If we all just drop and die from all these problems.. Who pays them then...
True. We already aren't living naturally in small tribes and communities like we are supposed to, so we need to move past the whole "I only take care of me and mine" attitudes and be willing to help each other on larger scales. That is the only way society can work well at the large level we have it. We need to start thinking of our 'tribes' on a much bigger level, and take care of each other if we have any desire to live in a good world.
Me, living in Germany, having always assumed that dental care IS health care pretty much everywhere... realizing that is not the case is shocking and horrifying. Here standard procedures and regular checkups are free. If one wants a 'pretty' filling one does need to pay extra on top, but it is seldom very expensive. And some more expensive procedures are also only partially covered but mostly affordable.
Lucky you..
@@karalsor6145 i wish it was that way everywhere. It damned well SHOULD be
Same here in the Netherlands. We have a mandatory basic health insurance that every resident needs to have, which includes free regular checkups and basic stuff like cleanings/fillings/x-rays for under 18 for free and over 18 capped at I think 150 euros. Braces and things like dentures are not part of that basic income, but there are additional insurance "packages" that you can pay for which does include things like certain amounts of coverage for those expenses. My parents had enough money to get the orthodontics 100% insured, which was good because both my little brother and I needed braces and follow-up orthodontic treatments for at least 5 years. I now have a metal wire glued at the back of my front upper and lower teeth to prevent them from shifting. The only expense I have now is some random cleaning once every two years because I am lazy and do not use tooth picks, and the occasional once every five years 30 euros to dab some extra glue on the wires to keep them in place. The percentages of cost that the insurance covers is I think is around 50%, 75% and 100%, with every company that sells these additional insurance packages having a slightly different coverage.
same in brazil, thank god cause... this is sad
;-; you guys get that for free? FREE?! My brothers braces over time costed us $10,000. Why does my country say its great again? :"((
Also why is eye care not healthcare!? I would love another episode on vision care. I'm an epidemiology student focusing in health care access. Great video!
It is tho? That's not covered by insurance in America? My god, yall are WILD
It isn't? Honestly, what even is covered by insurance in the US? I'm always shocked at the extent of the dystopia you guys have to deal with. :/
And aural care - are hearing tests & hearing aids covered under government funded healthcare programmes?
It's the same in the UK it's not covered by the NHS unless you are a child or have a really big problem. But they tend to do discounts and things to try and make it cheaper.
i’m a teenager and have very poor vision but i live in the uk and eye tests/glasses are covered by the nhs for children. however, due to my bad vision my lenses are very thick so the optician said that i needed to get them thinned for £80, although my parents could afford this, this is not the case for many people. so even though it’s ‘free’ it’s not really and there are many hidden costs.
People also forget/ignore that not everyone grew up with parents who encouraged them to take care of their teeth- either due to neglectful/abusive parents, parents with mental health issues, not being able to afford dental care, or simply just not having the education on why it's so important. As a kid, I never visited a dentist once, and I didn't understand the importance of taking care of my oral health (combine that with mental health and sensory issues from a young age, and it isn't good). As a result, I've got pretty fucked up teeth- they aren't damaged beyond repair, but they definitely have some bad damage that could have been avoided had I say, grown up with the money to afford dental care, or with parents who had the time and were mentally well enough to help me. I'm sure I'm not the only one in a similar situation either?
I'm the same! My parents didn't brush their teeth and they never made me brush my teeth either, least of all took me to a dentist. I never gave it a thought! I didn't start brushing or flossing until I was 15. You can imagine I've got a lot of tooth decay. I finally got to go get my 50-ish cavities filled when I was 19, 7 years later I've not i had insurance or money for a dentist since. Several of my fillings have fallen out and lots of my teeth have chipped off! No good. I'm very good about brushing and flossing and I eat fairly healthy but sadly that's not enough at this point, the damage has been done and I need to be going to the dentist regularly but of course it's ridiculously expensive without insurance. I'm 26 and I've only just gotten a stable enough job and dental insurance so here's to the future! And you bet your nipple if I ever have kids they will be flossing and brushing religiously!!
Same here. My dad was always really good about his teeth, but both my parents and in turn myself, were all raised in poverty, so his teeth had to get pulled in his 60s or so, and looking back I'm fairly certain both myself and my mom had ADHD making it difficult for her to remember to brush her own teeth, let alone teach her child to, and in turn made it difficult for me to remember to do it more than once a week until probably my early teens, and even then it was only on school days that I could remember to do it. Add on top of that, that I don't think any of us ever flossed, I don't know if my parents realized the importance of it, and honestly even now I can only remember to do it when I feel something stuck between my teeth.
Me too, they told me to brush my teeth occasionally but they were busy with work, I never went to the dentist once until this year, At 20yrs old , imagine how they look like, I only fixed two now from 6 I had fucked up, some will probably get removed and I will need braces as well , People always like to comment on my front teeth, one is prominent and they fail to recognize that not everybody had the privilege.
Pretty much the same for me. My parents didn't really care about dental health. And the one time I went to a dentist as a child was to have a rotted tooth pulled. I still deal with both, extreme insecurity about my teeth, and the fear of seeing a dentist because of my childhood experience.
My mom is a nurse and it was something she made sure to stress dental care important. I’m 32 with a full upper denture and bottom teeth that need several thousand dollars in work. So sometimes people just have shitty genes like me lol But your point is excellent. My dads teeth are awful and his parents didn’t place an importance on dental care. Ya just never know.
Yup, as I grew up my parents never really instilled the habit of brushing my teeth or anything dental related. They brushed my teeth when they remembered to and then once I reached an age where they thought I could do it myself that was that. So I’ve always struggled with developing that habit of brushing my teeth 2x a day and on top of that, my family stopped going to the dentist when I was pretty young. I remember telling my dad that it hurt to eat on the left side of my mouth and he told me he would book a dentist appointment (around the age of like 11/12). He never did and I learned to eat on the right side of my mouth. On top of all that I have an open bite (top teeth don’t touch the bottom teeth in the front) and so I learned to smile while only showing my top teeth, giving the illusion of my teeth being straight. I went to the dentist for the first time in a while when I was like 16/17 and I was terrified. Many of the dentists I’ve gone to kind of have this tone of voice that’s almost condescending or passive aggressive. It’s uncomfortable. And when I was getting my cavities filled, I hated the feeling and the sound of the machines they used, and I also had no idea what they were doing to my mouth so I shook the entire time. The dentist just ignored it and now my teeth hurt anytime I hear anything close to that shrilly sound of those machines. I’m 19 now and I still struggle to brush my teeth at times. It’s the first thing that goes out the door when I start having mental health episodes. I’m looking to get braces or Invisalign to fix my open bite. Maybe then I can feel comfortable smiling naturally and also fix some problems that I have with taking bites and pronouncing some words. I’m slowly relearning that I can eat with my left side of my mouth now but I feels so weird. I don’t really like going to the dentist ever and I feel like the past 19 years of shitty care for my teeth leaves me with that feeling that nothing can be done to help, like you said. I don’t really like the dentist, I get super anxious for those inevitable questions and judgment when they ask me about my dental health. It always feels like it’s never enough. I always remember when I finally started brushing my teeth 2x a day consistently. I was so excited and it was a big accomplishment for me and when I was excited to go to the dentist and finally say “yes I brush my teeth 2x a day,” all I got back was “you should really be flossing, this is really bad.” That really killed my motivation and I slowly started losing that habit. I went through a bad mental health crisis this past year and there were many days where I struggled to brush my teeth once and found myself going days without brushing my teeth (something I hadn’t done since I was like 12). I’m trying to get back into it and finally develop those good habits (including flossing) and fix my teeth but man is it hard as hell.
Oh my god I swear I could’ve written this, it’s like my life exactly. My parents never really brushed their teeth and so didn’t teach me too, I went to the dentist for the first time in my life at 17 and they said my jaw had not grown properly and now I have a pretty bad underbite which after 3 years of braces and countless specialist appointments and x-rays still isn’t fixed. It’s so difficult even now to get into the habit of brushing twice a day which most people don’t understand. It messes me up to think that if I got braces when I needed them years ago it would’ve prevented a lot of issues since it’s my biggest insecurity and I have headaches due to the pressure 🥲
It's been almost a year, but what you're shared was really heartbreaking. You didn't get a good foundation in childhood for dental care, but you're doing what you can now and setting goals for yourself. You should be damn proud, getting over a lifetime of habits isn't easy. All the best on your journey, truly, the dentist's that aren't giving you the right support and encouragement are the ones who need to to better.
Literally so similar to my experience I’m almost 25 now and the lack of a foundation for dental care as a minor and all the jobs I’ve had since I’ve been allowed to work wouldn’t even provide health let alone dental 🦷 and gov services are pretty much inaccessible
Literally going through the same thing right now, I’ve had really bad cavities on both sides of my molars and they are essentially rotting. My family only bothered to address it when my right molar essentially caved in but I still haven’t gotten any treatment. It’s now painful to chew or eat anything cold on the left side and I have a shitty job + have to literally pay my parents hundreds in rent for us to continue living in our house lol. I can’t afford to get the painful root canals and fillings I need
Yes I agrere. I am autistic
When my dentist told me I needed braces, I immediately said no. He looked so baffled that I could not afford that. And I felt kind of betrayed he waited to tell me that after pulling two teeth out.
I've mostly stopped using TikTok because it was giving me insane levels of body and facial dysmorphia, but the thing that kept absolutely ruining my day was seeing so many people with perfect teeth. My parents didn't get me braces as a kid and I can't afford them as an adult, so I just feel like...less of a person.
I had braces as a late teen/adult & had to pay myself. Still unsatisfied.
I really wanted braces as a kid but my parents couldn't afford them. Heck I still want them now at 37 but I can't afford.
@@da1911 I'm turning 28 this month and I feel the same way. I kind of thought I would magically be able to afford them once I got my degree, hit a certain age and became a Real Adult. :( Oops!
and people on tiktok have the audacity to remove their braces at home "because they didn't like the look of them" not only endangering their teeth but also spitting in the face of people who can't afford those things. >:(((( i was born in Pakistan but moved overseas and live an upper-middle-class life spending every day grateful for the position i'm in. too many kids and family members i know personally can't pursue their dreams because of financial reasons, and to see people waste their money on things they don't use is just mind bending and disgusting.
We know why dental isn't covered, it's a class signifier.
:( teeth can hurt tho..
@@sakuranovaryan9261 yup. People can literally die from bad teeth. But it’s expensive and not covered. There are ways to heal your teeth. It takes dedication. But can be done.
@@taliatalia1666 what do you mean heal them?
@@stephanielynn101 Nutrition and remineralizing them.
Hey! Newly graduated dentist here. Really enjoyed this video and you made so many great points. Something I like to suggest for those who feel like going to the dentist and taking care of their teeth is too expensive is to try and find a dental school in your state/area to be seen. Dental schools are often significantly less expensive than going to a private office, they tend to accept Medicaid, and the quality of work you receive is still very very good if not better because everything is double triple checked by supervising dentists. I know not everyone lives near a dental school, but it’s still a really good option that a lot of people maybe don’t think about off the bat. It’s obviously not ideal since treatment takes longer, but it’s always something I try to bring up now to people who tell me they can’t afford to take care of their oral health.
I agree, UIC dental school saved me. I wish my parents knew about them sooner because it would have saved me headaches from shoddy work I had done on my front teeth as a kid.
@@Pandaluver67899 UIC is that is Chicago? I will be moving over there and will no longer have dental insurance. I have worked full time all these years but now as a graduate student I will not be able to work full time. The price of dental care worries me. I will be in need since I have to continue my braces treatment.
@@Pandaluver67899 I’ve had braces for 5 years and they did a horrible job. Now, I’m stuck with their mistakes and have to continue treatment elsewhere with no insurance any longer.
It's illegal for dentists to only help rich people and I dare you prove otherwise 😡😡😡😡
Not gonna lie Tiffany, when you first posted this video, I wasn’t all that interested in watching an hour about the topic of teeth but after watching this this morning, I’m really glad I did. You are awesome and I’m sharing this video with the rest of my class as a way to show how the advantages given to middle and upper classes can go unnoticed and unchecked in privileged individuals. Love your work, keep creating interesting, thought provoking, and unique content. You’re videos are definitely making an impact!
She is the best! Glad you're spreading the knowledge
In Lorde's early career she referenced the correlation between having lots of money and having good teeth all the time and I thought that was so interesting
yes!! white teeth teens for example
@@jeangir111 yep! It was in her debut single royals and in another song I can't remember... Teeth were super important to her and maybe there was just a huge emphasis on getting money and buying nice teeth specifically in her culture
@@jeangir111 ugh love that song. Now I gotta go listen to pure heroine again 😂
It's fricken expensive to get orthodontics here in NZ and for that matter dentistry (depending on age and circumstances). It is free for check ups until the age of 17, but anything above and beyond that- i.e. orthodontics is expensive. Most parents and people can't afford $2000 for teeth extraction (probably more- this figure is based on 4 wisdom teeth being removed 10 years ago) or $5000 to $10,000 for braces plus on top are the regular appointments that are charged separately. Culturally we avoid the dentist like the plague (haha pun intended)- probably in the long run doing damage requiring more expensive treatment later or even emergency dentistry. Not only that but in some parts of the Country availability is also an issue. But in Auckland dentistry is probably more easily available? but peer pressure might be greater? I don't know I am in an older generation and never was part of the 'braces is a right of passage' despite knowing I should have had them (open bite and wearing my back teeth down) but my parents wouldn't have been able to afford them. I am considering them now though even in my 30s if it will prevent issues down the track...
Remember the “flippers” in Toddlers & Tiaras? Basically a clip-on veneer to hide baby teeth/missing teeth on the little girls. I remember that a common issue that the lower income families would run into is not being able to afford the flipper for their competing daughter, and then their daughter consequently losing the competition possibly due to their natural baby teeth showing. It’s all so fucked up, but just another example of how pervasive the “perfect teeth” look is in the media.
Omg yes. When I was younger I didn’t think it was messed up (as I was a child myself) but now I realized how messed up that was. They were literally CHILDREN...
@@xxnicolexx03 yup
Toddlers and tiaras was one of the most fucked up things I have ever watched...I remember a mother wanted to use chlorine to her 4yo daughter's teeth as a ''whitening" ....
Canada just announced dental will begin to be covered starting this year. I’m thrilled. I have friends who work like dogs but have never been able to afford regular dental cleanings/treatments. This is such a game changer.
When you have bad teeth from GENETICS and people automatically assume the worst of you despite how common these kinds of problems are.
Wait until you learn about hearing aids. I lost the majority of my hearing and they told me insurance won’t cover hearing aids because the are seen as a “cosmetic luxury”. My hearing aids cost $5000 and they only are good for 7-8 years.
I don't know where you live, but I live in the US, and I definitely agree. It's appalling the way the disabled and elderly are treated in this country, some even dropped off and abandoned at Skid Row. This country won't allow you to grow old gracefully (unless you're upper middle class or higher with a lot of money). Unless you're rich, here, you can't afford growing old. It can be 40K a month needed to take care of old folks/those with special needs or conditions. They've made growing old in this country a fearful, humiliating thing for many.
Oh my gosh yes, I’m hard of hearing and it’s insane the way most insurance either doesn’t cover it or only covers it until age 18
Hearing aids are way too expensive and it's wild that they're not covered. My dad was so anxious about having to get hearing aids in his early 40s. Luckily he was able to afford the huge out of pocket cost (and pay that cost again every few years when they need replacing), which meant his bigger worry was how people would treat him at work because there can definitely be a stigma associated with hearing loss. And it makes me sad when I see people get annoyed with him for not being able to hear when he's due for an upgrade, or in situations where he can't wear them - like around any kind of water, including rain or sweat, which will destroy these expensive electronics. Also worth noting the ongoing expense of constantly replacing the batteries, which really adds up and can be a barrier for lower-income folks, even if the hearing aids themselves get covered. When my grandparents entered nursing homes in their 90s, I discovered another way people who wear hearing aids get screwed over, which is that the staff would often either not put their hearing aids in for them or arguably worse, put them in with dead batteries so they were effectively giving someone who already couldn't hear well really expensive ear plugs to wear all day. Our family had to keep reminding them the hearing aids aren't optional, they're essential. I really feel for all the people in nursing homes who don't have family available to advocate for their care.
Depression can be expensive. Sticking to a routine or just getting out of bed can take all the will one doesn't have.
I have depression and it used be so hard to do ANYTHING, let alone brush & floss. I developed migraines later in life. When the first one hit it was so debilitating I couldn't get out of bed for 5 days, had to have a friend come get me, carry me to the car and take me to the hospital. On day 6 I brushed my teeth for the first time and it was the most painful experience.
The irony of depression is knowing you'll feel better if you do _____, but still not being able to. Im a dental assistant and I experienced severe depression during the lock down of the 2020 pandemic, I was home from work, and my father died. My hygiene suffered along w everything else. I assure you, however, I've NEVER judged a patient based on the state of their teeth. A good health care provider CARES and wants to help you.
In addition to being held accountable for neglect to teeth in a way we arent for other health problems caused by lifestyle dentists also forget genetics play a role. I have a family history of bad teeth. We have practically no enamel naturally so even doing the most I can, I will lose my natural teeth. The number of dentists who have shamed me or called me a liar and not recognized the genetic factors is rediculous. If a regular doctor ignored genetic risk factors like that they'd lose their license but it's the norm for dentists.
genes do play into it! Thank you for saying this. In my family there are three girls and all of us have so many problems with our teeth even though we got regular cleanings as children, flossed, brushed, etc. My younger sister takes extremely good care of herself health-wise and her teeth are absolutely horrible. So, people dont think of that.
This! Genetics and the bacteria profile of your mouth (much like the bacterias in your gut, in your vagina etc) impact a lot on your teeth! My mom has terrible teeth, she has had crowns and partial dentures since before I was born, and I'm also super prone to cavities. I brush my teeth with a best of the market electric toothbrush (which I researched on how to use properly like angles, etc), I floss daily, rinse my mouth with mouthwash, I don't have a sugar rich diet (don't even have sugar in my house) and no matter what I do I'm always getting cavities.
It's not exactly genetics per se. If you have good oral hygiene and your teeth are suffering, chances are you have some other underlying condition. Having helicobacter pylori for example leads to absolutely shitty teeth. Or you might have a diet that's not rich enough in the nutrients that matter or you cannot absorb them properly (This is a problem I have. Meat is the only readily bioavailable source for me that fixed my teeth problems). If you get all nutrients that you need, your saliva will be rich in them and remineralise your teeth easily. It's good to look beyond your hygiene sometimes.
I had a dentist literally call my smile ugly because my teeth were crooked despite that not being in my control at all whatsoever. Most dentists are so cruel...
In tears. Navigating the dental system as a poor person many times in my life so far is at best exhausting and at worse, devastating. It's high time for dental care to be considered a standard and universal healthcare right.
I feel for everyone that’s been bullied and judged for their teeth. Smiling and laughing are supposed to be joyful moments, but being called names like “vampire” repeatedly and having to feel insecure every time you want to laugh happily kind of takes that joy away :( luckily I’ve gotten braces since, but these beauty standards really take a toll on everyone.
I have always had CRAZY crowded teeth, and I distinctly remember as a 13 or 14-year-old clapping back at some douchecanoe that was trying to make fun of my teeth with, "what, because I CREATED THEM LIKE THAT?!?! Idiot." 🙈 But I just couldn't believe someone would make fun of somebody else for something they have no control over.
omfg yes being called vampire is cool sometimes but like then my grandparents used to use it in a demeaning way... now that i think about it theyve always been mean to me about my weight and how i look and telling me that i wont stay so skinny for long and will fatten up when i get older
i was made fun of for having "horse teeth" when i was a teenager, but as an adult i've grown to love my big clunky teeth. i really hope society can get to a place where we celebrate our differences instead of shunning them :(
@@renoirrr that's so unfortunate that you have had to deal with that, i hope you know you're worth so much more than your outward appearance!! xx
I can relate
I'm actually crying! My teeth have actually caused so much anxiety and self hatred to the point where I can't look myself in the mirror or see pictures of myself laughing/smiling. Even when I'm around people I'm always aware of how much I'm showing my teeth, I have to cover my mouth when I smile in public. It's just so frustrating.
Don 't do it I'm sure you look good and teeth are really not everything. To people who are close to you and really Love you, do not care so much what you look like ... they are just used to seeing you. There are so many different smiles in the world. And really the most important thing is to just smile :) Life is short for messing with things like that and you do not owe anyone anything, so just smile 💫 Sorry for my English
You should watch Aly art channel she has made me feel so good about my nose and body 💕 Btw I think teeth as they're healthy looks fine it's kinda weird those artificial teeth and super white (no sé como decirlo en inglés pero para esos dientes de influencers les quitan la corona para tener esos resultados😭 que feo no son mas sus dientes naturales/verdaderos)
while I get that insecurities are different, I wouldn't see why I'd be ashamed over something I didn't even cause, like what am I going to do? magically move my teeth like a weirdo to make it straight? lmao even I'm not straight so it's nbd for me
One month of using medicinal cannabis has improved my mental health such that I have started to like my "bad" teeth as part of myself.
omg sameee 😭 i'm even crying while typing this. ive been very insecure with my teeth since the first time they grew. i barely open my mouth when i talk (that's why i sound like im mumbling all the time), i cover my mouth when i laugh and there is not a day i dont think about my teeth. :< a few people have also pointed it out too and it really sticks with you. 😔 theyd ask "why arent you getting braces?", "why are your teeth like that" and so on... 🤷🏻♀️
I remember wanting to be an actress when I was younger and then once I went to drama class in 9th grade I realized my chances of making it in that industry were slim due to my middle tooth gap and lower class household, and seeing countless actresses with perfect teeth in the industry. At that point on it became harder for me to nail the roles I was performing in class because I was constantly worried about my teeth showing. Since I was in elementary school I begged my parents to get me braces every year as my birthday gift, it's all I ever wanted growing up. Now that I'm 26 however and having a consultation about veneers (which was estimated to cost me 10k for 4 - 6 teeth) I realized having an imperfect smile gave me a sense of "unique" personality that I don't really see in the US anymore. I realized other countries like the UK even joke about how all American's smiles "look the same." I don't want to look the same as everybody else at then end of the day, I still want to look like me. So now I've come full circle, and have grown to appreciate something I despised the most about myself & cried about my entire childhood.
having severely crooked teeth is part of the reason why I didn't bother trying to pursue acting after high school :(
@@bloobluex I'm so sorry :( I really wish that industry wasn't so picky about people's teeth, I feel like if we watched more entertainment with people having "imperfect" teeth it'd make a lot of us feel less alone about it honestly.
@@noblenova9324 most of them got invisalign
@@noblenova9324 Period pieces/historical movies would look way more realistic if they didn't just cast people with blindingly white, completely uniform teeth. We know that people in the days before whitening and braces were common (or even existed at all), wouldn't have teeth like that. It always takes me out of the movie because I cannot muster up the suspension of believe that these people are really civil war soldiers or medieval peasants.
The medicaid section really hit home for me. I was incredibly lucky as a kid to have a provider that accepted medicaid. He was one of the only ones in town. (Population: 75000) He left his practice to retire and had merged with 2 younger doctors he left his patients to. Shortly after he fully retired(there was a short transitional period), they sent out a letter saying they would no longer accept Medicaid dental insurance. I live in a red state(Iowa), so medicaid is underfunded, and now my only option is to go to the dental college for dental work. I now have to trust my dental health to people who haven't even finished their education, let alone had experience. It's terrifying, and I've put off seeing them for 2 years now.
Someone in rhe comments mentioned that they prefer this because they are still students they are supervised by actual dentists and double checked so in that regard it might actually be safer/better while also cheaper. You could try going for something super basic and non invasive like a cleaning and see how you feel about it.
I have always gone to my dental college they’re so incredibly nice and I always say they’re probably doing a better job cause they’re getting graded 😂
Omg I have been waiting for a youtuber to cover this. How is this not talked about more????
Same!!!!
...there’s more to life than Class/Gender/Race, that’s why
apparently that more to you in life is to be a hater, literally be one of the first to click someone’s video just to leave hate comments. how miserable you must be to leave 22 negative comments under someone’s videos:(
Because they would have to admit to there own bias to blinding white teeth.
@@Americansikkunt Why do you watch this channel?
I worked at a dental college in the midwest and the lack of empathy towards lower-income patients and even minority patients starts even before they get into dental school. A lot of dental students come from families who are dentists so they grow up extremely privileged. We had to do programming for our classes that had activities where students role-played living as a patient on social services just so they could learn the barriers that a lot of dental patients experience when they're on Medicaid to empathize better with their patients.
Jesus. That’s insane 😭 I have no idea how to feel bout that
University of Iowa Dental College?
This is why I can't be around affluent people. "Wow, you've never been outside the US? Why?" Shoot, why didn't my parents finance my travels? Oh yeah, cause they are poor!
@@dericmederos1514 i totally feel you on this! as a first gen mexican american i’ve only ever been in texas or mexico and people always question me like “how come you’ve been to mexico but you’ve never gone to cancun!?!” n it’s like ok but my mom saved up for years for us to go on a 20hr drive to go see our only family so like… why would i go to cancun?
This is disgusting. Classism is prevalent regardless of who you are. Race isn’t the problem, it’s lack of empathy and kindness.
I can't believe I'm just now watching this! My husband has struggled with genetically bad teeth his whole life. In the last few years we've incurred $17,000 in expenses, and that's with insurance! extractions, dentures, crowns, implants, etc. We've just taken out loans to do these things and have been fortunate that we COULD take loans and can stay afloat. My husband's job serves low income people, and so many of them have dental issues that they simply have to ignore. We hope that one day we can sponsor a mouth out there and change someone's life!
Hope everything is going well 😮
Very good video! The permanency of bad teeth was something that shocked me, when I first realized that all fillings have to be replaced after some time, bad teeth get worse, even if fixed and cared for. And it begins in an age where we can't begin to know the impact of good/bad thooth care.
Part of the problem is that teeth don't have much of an early warning system. Even a tiny paper cut will sting, and you'll pull away from the paper. But teeth don't let on something's wrong until they're a good way along or a dentist sees them.
This is such an interesting topic. I had horrible teeth growing up and would not have been able to get braces because my mom was a single mom and simply couldn’t afford them. Luckily, my grandparents helped contribute, which is a privilege in itself.
Omggg.. getting braces is expensivee too here, which country are you living in?
@@nabilapinontoan7763 USA!
It's really interesting. My mum grew up lower, lower middle class and has had life long dental issues associated with really crooked teeth. Even though I probably didn't need braces, my mum still made me get them because she was so worried and could afford it. Teeth trauma man.
as far as I know, braces are pricey as shit, my friend is kind of in the same financial point as me? (lower middle class in a poor country) and she said braces were pricey when her teeth weren't even that crooked as opposed to me and my other friends lmao
@@charlotteodonnell8175 Same thing happened with my mom except she was not able to afford them when I needed them. Now as an adult with a good job I paid for braces for myself and for her.
This is only partially related, but a lot of people who are suffering from depression rarely brush their teeth or shower because personal hygiene is an incredibly difficult task when you're in a state of mind that makes being awake physically painful. This definitely impacts the way they look and makes a lot of people even more self-conscious because teeth are such a focal point in beauty standards.
thank you !!! this is v true and it rlly does makes u v self conscious. i wish ppl would just be nice to others without always pointing out something or the other about our appearances.
There was a period of my life where I was depressed everyday for a long time. I barely brushed my teeth and I didn't have Braices. And oh boy. It was the worst. But hey, now I brush my teeth daily and have a invisalign! (It's like braices ,, but better look it up lol)
And I'd like to mention, they weren't cheap!! If ur lucky u can get Braices for 1000 euros
i just have one question though. as someone who’s slowly healing from my past depression, i just never felt the urge to not brush my teeth or not to shower. it’s basic hygiene. i get that you’re in a sad space and stuff, but how are you just okay sitting there smelling like dirt? i am genuinely curious because i myself, how badly things be, i can’t go one day without brushing my teeth or not showering.
@@iiamromika ig depression and other mental health issues works differently for different ppl. i hate feeling "dirty" but i could go not taking a shower or brush my teeth for weeks, although, i still try to keep myself fresh by doing other things like rinsing my mouth or just keeping washed clothes near my bed so if i feel like changing into good clothes i will. idk this is what i do :) and im glad you're getting better !! its a nice thing you can do daily activities well without any hindrance, i hope we all reach there or try our best to do what we can everyday :D
I seriously thought I was the only one who had the same feelings of fear and judgement of and by dentists. It wasn't until I moved to Brazil that I finally got kind and affordable dental care.
Dentistry is one of my favorite topics. I can definitely attest to the fact that this “perfect smile” that everyone-especially dates-judge you on is a clear sign of wealth. I have had dental problems all my life, to the point that I know dental terms like a hygienist, and know how to count teeth like one, too. I got orthodontics, crown lengthening surgery, and many crowns because my teeth were in that bad of shape. I grind my teeth at night, and that made the issue really bad, such that I would’ve lost my teeth had I not had all the work done. As a consequence, I went from having some of the worst teeth to some of the best! But, it cost me like I never would have imagined (think down payment on a house or buying a new car kind of cost, which insurance covered about 25-33% of). And I went through a LOT of pain for my smile… P.S. I share your frustration about people who constantly bang on about “personal responsibility”. While taking responsibility and action are obviously good, most of the people that talk about this the most are rich assholes who can solve 90% of their problems with money. And they get in the habit of thinking every problem has a “fix”. And, if you’re rich, that’s usually true…
Remember that just because your teeth aren't straight doesn't mean they're bad. As long as you can talk and eat then you are fine. My teeth aren't straight but they still do their job and I love themthem. In a lot of cases, it causes a lot more harm to the teeth to go through cosmetic dentistry. Obviously, it's a personal choice but we need to normalize normal not straight teeth cos in reality naturally straight teeth are not common at all.
Yes, the shaving of your teeth for veneers is only understandable if you know you will have future possibility to change them. Veneers are not lifelong, they will need to be changed. Also with every change a part of your enamel will be removed, and it can add up when you start young. But life is unstable in general, and you can't know your financial situation in the future. Even going to a developing country might become too expensive. And especially for people who already can't afford their first veneers, and get them on a loan/credit.
@@Black.Spades as a student dentist, this is why I really prefer traditional braces to align teeth and get proper occlusion over something like veneers.
And thank you for pointing out that oral health affects the rest of your body!!! A lot of people think dentists only deal with teeth. I have diagnosed oral cancers, melanomas (because I do a thorough exam of the head and neck, and let’s face it, we are the closest to patient’s head and neck to evaluate). I also diagnosed lymphoma on a 7 year old boy by feeling around his neck. Dental care should absolutely be part of medical care!!!
Yes!! My dentist friends have also been involved in diagnosing AIDS (via oral candidiasis)
@@ailem2707 that’s so awesome!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Dental infections can also spread to other parts of the body and become quite serious if not treated.
@@wishforinfinity absolutely! 👏
I have bad teeth. Always have, since I was young. Also I did take Adderall for many years which definitely isn't great for your teeth. All the topics mentioned in this video are great to hear someone finally discuss. My biggest problem is this... I literally am too insecure to smile or laugh. You wouldn't think that would affect you that much but I honestly think it has made me experience less joy in my life. I can't just let go and smile/laugh with people because I'm afraid of what they will think. It is SO MUCH MORE than just a shallow thing about looks. It cripples my confidence and literally doesn't allow my authentic self to come out. Anyone with teeth issues and no money to get them fixed, I just want to give you a virtual hug right now and let you know that I feel your pain. 🤗
Thank you!! And sending that hug right back at you! 🤗 Just wanted to say I appreciate the hell out of your comment, because that's *exactly* how I feel. I smile with my lips closed, cover my mouth when I do laugh, and most of the time I even talk less animatedly than I used to in order to hide a mostly-missing tooth as much as possible. And it doesn't matter what's going on or how long it's been since I looked in a mirror, some part of my mind is constantly aware/self-conscious of opening my mouth. I just wish this stuff was as regularly talked-about and pushed to be accepted as everything else (thinking mainly of the whole body-positivity movement). Either way, you aren't alone. And thank you for the reminder that I'm not either. 😊
With the heavy topic of this video i did not know i would make it through the hour length, but got addressed this issue so personally but indepth but so down to earth that i had to keep watching. I love seeing strong willed influencers talk about real world issues in a real way
I was diagnosed with chalk teeth at 17. The dentist told me I'd be lucky to still have all my own teeth by 25. At 27 I got dentures ONLY bc my grandmother died and I spent my inheritance on them. It was close to 10k. I've been drug tested by dentists who thought I was on meth. I've been treated like crap for a condition I couldn't help. Now I'm a single mom of 3 and my kids have Medicaid. The nearest dentist that accepts it, is an hour and 45 minutes away. That's a full day off work for me, if I get all 3 kids scheduled on 1 day. If not I miss 3 days of work total. My oldest just got denied coverage for braces, cash payments are 1k down and $300 a month. I can't afford it and its heartbreaking. I'm appealing the states decision so I can try to get my son braces. Dental health shouldn't be separate, its health plain and simple.
@Natalie That is absolutely so distespectful!
@Natalie delete this, you're making a fool of yourself.
@@sakuramaster9979 I'm working on an appeal now 😊 we go again next month! His orthodontist said he had a good chance next time! Thanks!
@@corsetedwasteland2630 good luck!!!!
@Natalie dentures are personalized to fit the mouth of each individual. Someone else's dentures likely won't fit. It's like asking a myopic person to use someone else's glasses. Assuming her granny even had dentures. A lot of old people don't need or use them.
It's crazy to me that "good teeth" = bleached and/or shaved down teeth, not healthy teeth.
the craziest thing ever to me is removing healthy teeth to get veneers/dentures. absolute nightmare fuel, man.
Yup
@@deanmoriarty6015 yup
@@deanmoriarty6015 to be fair no one removes teeth to get dentures on purpose and for veneers they’re just slightly shaved down (like the veneer prep tiffany showed). Veneers actually make your teeth stronger, but you’re right that they’re totally medically unnecessary for most people.
@@juliawright12 removing, shaving down to the point of where it doesn’t function, same difference. either way it’s horrifying
I appreciate this so much. I had such inconsistent access to dental care growing up, and it's by pure luck that I haven't needed any serious interventions. "Personal responsibility" only gets people so far, and their outlook on the rest of their lives should not be determined by how well they were able to care for their teeth at the worst times, to say nothing of the things outside one's control.
I have always been consious about my teeth, even being picked on and commented saying that I need braces but I can never afford them. As currently a 20 year old, it makes me happy to see a video like this. Thank you so much.
It's interesting because having good teeth used to be a sign of poverty during the 17th - 18th century (at least in the UK where I live) whereas having bad teeth was seen as a signifier of wealth as it showed that you could afford sugary foods which were more expensive at the time, it's funny how the "desirable" look for teeth has changed overtime but it always benefits the ruling classes
Never heard of that before, interesting fact!
Same as having a tan was deemed to show you were poor and had to work in the fields etc whereas pale skin showed you were wealthy enough not to do that type of work
So interesting!!
Same as being overweight or obese was a rich people thing back then.
@@ValeriiaJ that I knew! But yes, interesting too
and of course the ad i got before the video was for expensive dental products lmaooo
Same!
Mine too!
same!
Haha so funny x)
When I think about dental care being treated as a luxury, I also remember being a kid and wanting wanting white, straight teeth, and not being able to afford whitening or braces…but I also think about my stepdad not being able to eat a lot of foods, because they hurt his teeth. He eventually got new teeth (I’m not sure what kind), but said that it was basically a mortgage, and that he’d be paying it off for the rest of his life.
It's illegal for dentists to only help rich people
@@ethanshelbyskateboarding9980You’ve posted this comment several times. Do you understand what legal/illegal means? Illegal means breaking an existing law. There is no law regarding who dentists must treat. Accurate language matters.
@@Wee162 FACT ASSCLOWN DENTISTS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP EVERYONE NOT JUST RICH TRASH
@@Wee162BY ONLY HELPING WEALTHY PEOPLE DENTISTS ARE BREAKING THE LAW
@@Wee162 DENTISTS DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL RIGHT ONLY HELPING RICH PEOPLE,BY DOING SO DENTISTS ARE PRACTICING INCOME DESCRIMINATION WHICH IS ILLEGAL 🖕🖕🖕
It’s been a few days since I first watched this and all I can say is that it completely moved me. This is an issue that affects everyone and it offers and extremely amazing information on the importance of not just healthcare but dental healthcare. Please continue to make content like this. Please. It’s so important. You have no idea.
I live in Sweden and here dental is free up until you are 21, most kids get bracers for free here. I had bracers and dental surgery for free until I was 21. Most adults don't go to a dentist as often since it's quite expensive but during the later years some things have changed to make dental be part of healthcare so that that doing check-ups costs less and there is a roof of how much dental can cost you (so if you need to get crowns or bigger things it's still a capped expense). But it's still not free as our other healthcare is (well atleast almost, our healthcare comes with a small fee, so it's not free-free, it's at a very low cost, like $20).
They've changed it to up until the year you turn 24 now!!
That so cool. I make minimum wage ( 30,000 more than most my classmates lol ) as an undergrad ( local community College about $15,000 + add required materials a yr) at work my boss and coworkers advised invest in my appearance as a health care worker ( otherwise I'd look like I don't take care of myself) they bluntly told me to get dental work done. So I signed a contract at the ortho for $8000 ( on installment payments) and I also got 8 extractions $5000 upfront cost. 100% worth 16 hr shifts, 4 days a week 😭
@@lanzhan oh I did not know that, cool! :D
Ah this is great. makes me even more sad to be born in a crappy country. I'm 18. I've had problems with my teeth since middle school (my baby teeth didn't fall and new teeth grow in weird places and positions) and mom didn't take me to a dentist/ orthodontist (we don't really have any good ones where I live.. orthodontics is something new to us so.. anyways) I've hated my smile ever since.. when I became a little older (high school) I told them I had to fix my teeth.. dentist told me that I should've come earlier and that made me even more depressed.. that was about two years ago. We had to postpone it because of financial problems.. here I am worried that it gets worse... and many who had braces in my city warned me to do it here and told I should travel to the capital if I don't want to mess my teeth up. My parents promised to do it this year so I don't know.. But I had to think about evey single time I smiled for the past 6 years of my life.. never felt good about smiling makes me self-conscious and nervous. Really no one deserves this... Glad not all kids have to go through something similar but definitely getting something like braces shouldn't be that expensive...
I was just about to comment that! I’m from Sweden too and my teeth were complete chaos before braces, and luckily it was free
Me with my crooked teeth: Yes very true
lmao my immediate reaction as well
Yes! I honestly feel so much better haha
wow. wOw. WOW. This video had me feeling all the feelings! As someone who is privileged to have had access to great dental care my entire life, I still felt totally connected to your thoughtful points in this video. Pain caused by issues due to teeth is terrible, especially if it is chronic. I have had quite a journey (root canal, to crown, to constant jaw pain, to restless nights after being an impeccable sleeper. Going on three years of this!). Even if you can afford care, recovery sucks and there may never be a solution to your pain from teeth issues. Thank you for taking the time to cover this topic!
I had never heard of veneers before, it's honestly shocking. People that care about their smiles don't care about their teeth. As someone who has lost a tooth it made me value the teeth I have more.
I also want to add that how healthy your teeth are is often up to genetics. A friend of mine always takes care of them and she has had a lot of cavities, like her mum. It's so awful that we make people feel bad for something they don't even (in many cases) have control over!
it's part of the mouth biology! some people just have strains of bacteria that are more efficient at breaking down teeth than others :(
Even between my kids I see this! My boys who care less have straight teeth n never get cavities (they’re 19). My girls who constantly brush/floss/mouth wash all needed braces n got cavities due to crowding
Yes, so much yes. My mother had to change practically all of her teeth, and so did my father. Im now in the same path, by no choice of my own. Anxiety plus fragile theet is a bad combination
Yes I take care of my teeth so well and get so many cavities… but my brother goes weeks at a time without brushing and he never gets cavities. Not fair! 🤪🤪
Also, acid reflux can make not getting cavities nigh on impossible.
A potential factor of poor dental hygiene (or hygiene in general, but it can impact your teeth a lot more) is also depression. In my pre-teen years all the way to my early 20s I'd go weeks without brushing my teeth due to simply not caring about myself enough, only doing it on days of special occasions. I got judged by nearly every dentist I went to, as well as my own mom, for not brushing and flossing, them not being to understand how hard it was for me to keep up *any* sort of routine in the state of mind I was in. I'm doing much better caring for my teeth now but still dread dentist appointments to this day. I have nothing but negative memories associated with the dentist's.
People instead of wanting to help, just want to make fun of you. I’ve went through self neglect phases, the worst of which happened before i was 13 and i take very good care of myself but i would’ve looked far better if i hadn’t been as depressed as i was.
Yeah, I get really bad bouts of depressive episodes where I wouldn’t brush my teeth and I know that has contributed to my oral health being the way that it is now. I also don’t have the best genetics and grew up poor so that didn’t help either. I would go several days at a time not brushing my teeth, washing my face, and taking showers because I had no motivation to do so because of my depression. I hate going to the dentist because I don’t like being judge over how my teeth look and their overall health. I can’t control certain things about them and I feel like they treat me like a piece of trash
I had almost the same exact experience growing up. It almost feels like you're being punished for having depression
Grew up just like this and still don’t have the money to do more than bandaid solutions at the moment and at 26 I still get rude comments from people. It’s crazy how entitled people feel to comment on something that has nothing to do with them.
Same here, depression and eating disorders ruined my teeth. But please know we are all still beautiful and valid humans. Love to you all ❤️
Tiffany, wow. This has been your best message yet. I literally cried when you vocalized the real frustration and helplessness so many people living in the US have to go through every day. On a separate yet related note, please, (PLEASE!) run for presidency. Much love, Sofia.
As someone who has lived with dental anxiety as a teen, from my first experience with a dentist that went horrible, to meeting another dentist when I was in college and choosing between paying for my dental care or for college (I chose college), to now having fillings, a crown, and Invisalign in my late 20s, this video really resonated with my experiences. I didn’t know as a kid that dentists were a thing. My parents worked multiple jobs and could neither afford to take me and brother and they never had the time. People who do not see the privileges and classism in dental care have never had to experience the horrible challenges that a lot of people in this country face for something that should be entitled to EVERYONE. Thank you so much for this video 🙏🏼
Yes indeed 😮
Does anyone remember that the twist of the plot of a crime show was a rich white lady had invisalign and the detective was basically like " if you were born rich, you would have had braces as a kid, not as an adult so you're guilty"
what show was this?
OMG! I watched that too. I believe it was an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. I can’t remember anything else about the plot tho. 😭
Im a dental hygienist and I can 100% confirm everything in this video. I feel bad for my patients who come in with severe decay/periodontal disease and they don’t have any way to pay for it. Ultimately, they come back if their face is swollen and they have no other choice. As for veneers or crowns, I don’t like them. If someone talks about getting them, I always tell them to opt for orthodontic treatment because it will ultimately cost less and you never want to destroy your enamel- its the hardest substance in the body. You can’t replace that with something man made! If you are reading this and you can’t afford any of these options, focus on prevention as much as you can. Brushing/flossing every day can prevent further decay. I personally love unique smiles ;) Gillian
I have medicaid, i also have dental anxiety, watching this video and learning about MY privilege being on medicaid and having access to dental services really humbled and strangely calmed me. I will remember this privilege when going in for an appointment and use it to sooth my anxiety and appreciate the sweet people providing their services to me.
those veneer pegs are terrifying. I got a crown because I had a cracked molar (that I lived with for years because I was too scared to go to the dentist out of fear of how much it would cost) and yeah that was shaved down, but that was because my tooth was already majorly damaged, due to having fillings that cracked my teeth over time
Yesss!! In Canada were fortunate to have some health care but who ever decided teeth and eyes are not health care is insane.
Ugh yes!!!! Drives me crazy.
My mom and I often talk about how it's wild that Canadian health care should include dental because dental is part of our oral health! Dental care feels like greedy money-grabbing field.
Is having clean teeth matter of having good health care? Do Canadians have observably better teeth than Americans? I actually think most Americans just don't do a diligent job of brushing their teeth thoroughly and regularly (at least twice a day). I believe that is the biggest issue. Good looking teeth are well kept teeth. I have good looking teeth myself and I've only ever had to use a good ol' toothbrush. I think it's a bad idea to install the premise that you need to pay to have fine looking teeth. I'm talking squarely on the superficial side of teeth of course.
Complete agree :( it males me sad
Right? Like, I absolutely cannot function without my glasses. They are 100% necessary, and yet they don’t count as healthcare?? Why? Luckily, I can afford glasses and checkups, but plenty of people can’t.
As a person with terrible vision, some times I think to myself "If society collapses, I am screwed." You are really betting on the future if you're getting veneers at 18
I had corrective lenses fitted to replace my own. Now I see perfectly - no contacts, no glasses. I am desert island proof.
@@stargazerbird dude i wish dbxn i have glaucoma and was told i can only get the eye surgery 3 times in my life and they will last a max of 5 years :,)
I think the same way, I wouldn't be able to see for very long 😅
I feel the same way, it has made me quite anxious
Yep, Im pretty sure I'd have to tie my glasses to my body and invent some kind of futuristic monocle for myself lol. I dont even want to think about it lol
This is embarrassing, but I think I've kinda thought that americans just have..... straight teeth genes? Which obviously makes no sense, but I'm not from the US and I think culture in a country where dentists are cheaper (or even free for children) and influencer-culture isn't yet quite as big makes teeth-related insecurities different? So the idea of getting fake teeth to have a straight smile seems somehow less likely than a huge-ass country somehow just having a lot of people with straight teeth? I have teeth that look a lot like yours used to, except maybe even a little bit "wonkier", but I don't think I've ever had insecurities about that? On the other hand I used to be obsessed with the fear that my breath smelled bad because of my teeth somehow
My biggest insecurity. I'm going to start as a dental assistant next week and have always struggled with my teeth. My mother was a single parent and couldn't afford dental care. I have two fillings on my front teeth because I ran into a pole and broke my adult teeth. Worst day of my life. They stick out and don't match the rest of my teeth. I need braces, my central incisors need replacing and whitening. Worried I'm going to be judged in my new position but hope my own experience will make me a better DA. I just turned 18 as well so I can start this journey, but the cost is going to keep setting me back. Sometimes I hate the position I'm in; guess it can only get better from here.
I'll never forget an eighth grade classmate who gestured toward my teeth (I have a gap) and said "Are you gonna get *that* fixed before high school? It won't look very good in senior photos." Little did she know I had been BEGGING my parents for braces, but they could never swing them (or the senior photos, for that matter). I still can't believe she had the nerve to say that! Seriously, thanks for always being so compassionate and thorough in your videos.
@@Potidaon Still rocking the gap! While I sometimes wish my teeth were closer and more evenly sized, I think I'm too used to it to change anything. The look has definitely grown on me.
I have a gap between my Bottom front teeth, which is notnvery common. And I kind of felt really insecure about it until I became a fan of singer melanie martinez! She has a gap too, so it made me feel like we had something I'm common :)
Damm that girl was switched on. Rude but switched on. She already knew bad teeth hold you back.
i probably would've snapped if someone insulted me like that 💀
@@bellsssbooo Ugghhh, I did SUCH a bad job of standing up for myself back then!
My mom was in orthodontics. As a kid I'd always hang around the ortho office, would hear how judgy the staff were about patients teeth and let me tell you, teeth aesthetics became such a priority in how my sister and I value ourselves, who we date, and the people we surround ourselves with. It's crazy how intense of an impact it had.
On the flip side i hope it gave you empathy for people who don’t have perfect teeth…
I wish I had a mom like that. My mom is not poor, she's a physician (but oddly very hippyish and into "New age" stuff). She's very careless and due to her personal aversion to dentists (despite her having 2 dentists aunts) she rarely took my sister and I to the dentist as children. We went like maybe twice or thrice from ages 5 to 12. And when I was 13 I already had messed up teeth, and the orthodontist said it was a terrible case of neglect. It's been 10 years, and my teeth are still bad (bad enamel, very prone to cavities) but at least they are straight now. My mom denies that she neglected us as kids.
Sounds awful lol like a little cult of teeth
As a dental professional myself, shame on your mom and everyone she worked with. That’s awful and they shouldn’t be in the field of helping others if they are going to judge them along the way. I hope everyone who reads this comment knows *most* dental offices are not like this.
@@aricarly sounds like your mom being a physician made you judgy in a different type of way when you mentioned "not poor".
Excellent video, Tiffany! This is an issue that absolutely needs more attention. Bravo, you've done a great job! Thank you.
Wow! You're slowly but surely becoming one of my favourite content creators. Keep it going!
living in the UK I’ve always found it weird how eyes and teeth aren’t 100% included in NHS care but they’re literally living in our skull like we kinda need them ?
Yeah, exactly. It's not like dental care is just a cosmetic thing. Bad dental hygiene can literally be bad for your heart.
It’s weird to me as well. It just doesn’t make sense. Also prescriptions aren’t free (I think they are free in scotland but not the rest of the UK- I’m in England). And meds are definitely necessary. Like I would literally be dead without my meds. But then medication while in hospital is free. It doesn’t make sense
I can't remember the exact details but apparently it was a compromise made to get funding for the NHS through parliament close to when it was set up
in the UK I am shocked by the poor access to dental care, I have more than 10 dentists at less than 1 mile from me, NONE of them take NHS patients, only private... I am lucky to have a private insurance from my work, and it does not cover dental care, looks like it's very common??
@@nikkiwilliamson4665 prescriptions are free in Wales too. This was confusing to me when I moved to England
As a nurse, I’ve taken care of several ppl that have had abscesses that have stopped their hearts, caused them to have parts of their lungs removed as well as effect their brain. It’s sad and devastating the state of Healthcare in America.
I still DONT see how America is the best country in the world when basic human rights to healthcare is costly.
THIS VIDEO IS SO IMPORTANT. Thank you for bringing more attention to such a pressing universal matter!!!
Wow, I have been enjoying many of your videos but this one hit home so much harder than I thought. Thank you for talking about this at all, and in such a way that really no one does. I've seen this in my own ways but you brought it to light in a way I hadn't thought about before.
No offense to those who have gotten it, but I honestly don’t understand the hype around veneers. It really creeps me out that they have to file down perfectly good teeth just to get a “perfect smile”. Unless I have to fix my teeth for health reasons, I’m never fixing my gap teeth and “crooked smile”.
I’m the only weirdo who thinks it’s cute when the side teeth are a little crooked 😂
It’s so weird to me when people who have absolutely fine teeth get them. They have to destroy your natural teeth and veneers are not as strong as natural enamel 😬
Oh my god yes! They are so creepy and a lifelong commitment
@@TheKnallkorper it’s actually quite popular in Japan and some areas of China, my cousin had crooked canines (she’s also a tiger on the Chinese zodiac!) which I thought was sooooo cute. Her little brother too, but they both got braces and they’re gone now xD
Yesss omg I don't get it either, why are your own teeth not enough to a point you need to grind them down and stick fake ones on??? And I say it as someone who had braces and orthognatic surgery on my jaw to correct my bite. I would not get veneers.
Girl, the amount of cosmetic surgery/dentistry ads I got on this... Like they were trying to drown you out. This was an informational, comprehensive, empathetic, validating, and amazing video. Thank you
I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sharing this very informative video. Thank you for spreading awareness about the many issues involved in dental health care.
Thank you 🙏 I really needed this , I almost didn’t upload this morning because I was self conscious about my teeth and it makes me feel better to know people actually use filters or have the money to have had veneers
“They don’t believe their teeth are straight or white enough” can I just point out that society puts the same standards on our teeth that we put in people. That’s really weird.
oof it's kinda subconsious maybe?
@@VanillaBean15 definitely
yikes
For the UK comparison - important to note that Scotland has a separate NHS system that provides free dental check up appointments! I didn’t realise this when I moved to Scotland last year, and so it was a very welcome surprise :)
That’s great! 💛
I have a bias towards scotland. I really like it there but I live in England and I want to move.
Did not expect to watch the whole thing through, but it was honestly so fascinating. I've never really thought about it that much. It's also really interesting to hear about the different health care systems (I'm from the Netherlands) and how those function so differently from each other. Your videos are of continually great quality, it's amazing to see! Also, really love the subtitles, just makes for a more pleasant (and inclusive) viewing experience x
I've been on a binge of your videos the last couple days since discovering your channel. This video has really opened my eyes. I always took it for granted that I was able to go to the dentist growing up and that I never had major issues. I took it for granted that my teeth came in basically straight and that I have no bite issues. This has forced me to check my privilege and I appreciate it.
Tiffany it’s people like you that deserve this platform. You are so educational and empathetic towards the individuals who have nobody ever on their side. Thank you.
The older I get, the more I appreciate all the little oddities and quirks that make people look different. I think because so many people online look the same. I have a front tooth that's crooked and while it used to drive me nuts, I've grown to like the fact my teeth are perfectly imperfect.
I'm so glad I found this video. Ive always been insecure about my teeth. It got worse when I finally decided to get an insta last year(which I deleted after 6 months cause damn) and all of my discovery page was girls with beautiful teeth. The amount of shaming I get from even the dental assistant that cleans my teeth makes me feel 10x worse. Even tho I've explained to her that everyone in my family has had either full or partial dentars by the time they're 40. This has really opened my eyes about how people few teeth. And thank you so much for commenting on the class struggles when it comes to having nice teeth.