Yeah, learned this lesson myself a few years back when a small cavity turned into a root canal... ouch. Now I stick to my cleanings religiously—pricey at times, but beats the alternative, right?
Had a similar scare myself. I'd skipped a few checkups (just busy, you know?), and when I finally went back, the dentist found a cavity that was way deeper than expected. Thankfully avoided a root canal, but had to get a crown... pricey and stressful. Now I'm pretty anxious about missing appointments—I set multiple reminders and everything. Honestly, the anxiety alone makes me stick to regular visits now. Better safe than sorry, I guess.
I totally get the anxiety after something like that—crowns can definitely be stressful and costly. I've found that sticking to regular checkups helps me feel more in control, especially since I'm into cosmetic dentistry and keeping things looking good is important to me. Have you considered asking your dentist about preventive treatments like sealants or fluoride varnishes? They're usually quick and painless, and might help ease some of your worries about cavities sneaking up on you again.
Regular checkups definitely help, but I think it's also important to balance preventive care with cost-effectiveness. Fluoride varnishes and sealants can be great, especially if you're prone to cavities, but it's worth checking if your insurance covers them first. Mine didn't cover sealants for adults, so I opted instead for prescription fluoride toothpaste recommended by my dentist—it's been pretty effective and budget-friendly.
Also, I've found that being thorough with daily oral hygiene at home makes a huge difference. Investing in a good electric toothbrush and flossing regularly has saved me from unexpected dental expenses more than once. Crowns are definitely stressful (been there myself...), so anything you can do to avoid needing another one is worth considering.
"Investing in a good electric toothbrush and flossing regularly has saved me from unexpected dental expenses more than once."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've noticed that even small upgrades—like switching to interdental brushes instead of regular floss—can make a noticeable difference. Also, about the fluoride toothpaste, my dentist suggested alternating between prescription-strength and regular toothpaste to balance effectiveness and cost. Been doing that for a year now, and it's worked pretty well...haven't had any new cavities since.
