This is all about priorities. It appears that it may not have been a priority to you to care for your teeth in the past, but now it is which is good because healthy teeth are part of good overall health. Any damage from the past needs to be fixed, and certain lifestyle changes may need to be made to insure good future health. The lifestyle changes are usually the least expensive and easiest part of this. From this point forward, you need to make sure you have great homecare, which includes proper brushing and flossing, and maybe some dietary changes if you tend to be into sugary substances. As far as fixing the damage; you need to find a dentist that you are comfortable with. If money is an issue, check to see if there is a low cost clinic or dental school in your area. You can save up to 50% over private practice fees and still receive excellent care. Many people say that they cannot afford to go to the dentist and yet they don't brush or floss. Brushing and flossing is the cheapest dental insurance you can buy. Also, people don't realize that it is not that expensive to go for routine maintenance. In my office the fee for 2 cleanings a year, one with x-rays, would run about $350. That is about $7 a week. One less pack of cigarettes, two less cups of coffee, one less lunch out in a weeks time and you are there. You have to want this, though. Again, it's priorities.

You need to have your teeth cleaned twice a year even if you brush daily . Make sure the hygenist is competent. I had gums like a 20 yr old until my hygenist retired and someone took over who cleaned my teeth in about 10 min without causing any discomfort. Within a year I
and a half, I had periodontal probs and gum recession. I also miscarried a child although I had never had a miscarriage before . Periodontal disease causes a substantial percentage of miscarriages so not only do dentist poison us with mercury, they kill our children.