I neglected going to the dentist for years because I couldn't afford it. I'm paying (literally) for it now. Seven cavities, five teeth have to be pulled because I grinded them until they've broken off at the gumline and can't be saved, a root canal, post and crown, and that's just the initial exam. I have other cavities that are not as bad and will be quick to fix, but I had that diagnoses after just an initial exam, not even comprehensive.
I've been going to a low cost clinic (thank Dog) the root canal would have cost me at least 4k at one dentist.
I'm looking into an implant for the rear tooth because the ones that have to be pulled are all in the rear, and one implant in the rear to even up my bite would be better than having nothing there.
I still need a few cavities filled, the crown and post, and four teeth pulled.
I go in tomorrow and I'm going to beg and plead with them to pull all three on the right because I CAN NOT EAT.
And you can bet your bottom dollar I wear a mouth guard at night now. It's not a dentist made one, but it's a dental mouth guard. It's already showing where I grind which is EXACTLY on my back teeth that need to be pulled. If I forget it a night, I wake up and spit out bits of tooth that have broken off. Not fun.