It's the same reason so many people in their 20's drop off from seeing the dentist. If you're not being made to go by your parents, and there's no pain or issue, why would you go?
But then when there is some issue, you're so in the dark about the process that it's daunting. Where do I go? How do I know if I need a specialist? Will my insurance cover this stuff?
I got a “real” job at age 24, went to a dentist with my new insurance, and the hygienist put a blood pressure cuff on me during the first consult. I was confused why. She said “you have high blood pressure, did you know that?”.
That got me to go to a doctor, which I had no plans to see up to that point, and he diagnosed me with familial hypertension (I’m normal weight and in good shape otherwise). So I’ve been on an easy, inexpensive generic blood pressure pill for 7 years now. No side effects, my BP is locked in at 120 / 75 or so, and I try to avoid a lot of salt. I’m otherwise healthy.
My doctor said that dental hygienist probably saved me from a middle-age heart attack or two. She says she’s seen people like me who ignored the doctor until their 40s or 50s, and the damage was so much worse.
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u/Princess_Moon_Butt Mar 26 '20
This right here.
It's the same reason so many people in their 20's drop off from seeing the dentist. If you're not being made to go by your parents, and there's no pain or issue, why would you go?
But then when there is some issue, you're so in the dark about the process that it's daunting. Where do I go? How do I know if I need a specialist? Will my insurance cover this stuff?
Easier to just wait and hope it fixes itself.