Trump's Trade War Will Make Your Dentist Visits Even Costlier

[dalton99a]

Link to tweet

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-04/as-china-fires-back-in-trade-war-here-are-the-winners-and-losers
Trump’s Trade War Will Make Your Dentist Visits Even Costlier

To get a feel for what’s at stake in the U.S. trade debate, run your tongue over your molars.

Implants, crowns and bridges made in places like China and Mexico compose as much as 40 percent of the $8.5 billion U.S. market for dental restorations. They sell for a fraction of U.S. prices and boost profits for group practices and the private-equity backed networks that now employ about 18 percent of American dentists. The voracious market for discount choppers, along with industry consolidation and technology advancements, has contributed during the past decade to the closing of about half of U.S. dental labs.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. Slightly OT but I wonder how long until these are usually 3D printed right in the dentist's office?

[nolabels]

2. Get rid of soda pop and sugar in your diet

Brush your teeth twice a day at least, use a water pick and spike the water with Listerine and then after that mouthwash with straight hydrogen peroxide once daily. More than likely you will not need a dentist much after this. I once had all kind problems then figured out this routine and haven't had a single issue in five years.

Getting a good toothbrush helps a lot too. I got one of these https://ob.factoryoutletstore.com/details/259340/oral-b-precision-7000-black-bluetooth.html?category_id=63521&catalogitemid=233491.
It has an indicator readout display that works with the Bluetooth that you can put around the mirror in front of you. This helps out a bunch in making sure you brush properly and for long enough. The toothbrush has multiple modes and can give you data on your smart-phone if you need it.

[Clarity2]

3. I'm not sure they are safe anyway

I had a crown put on last year at a new dentist (under our insurance plan) and I had a beyond weird reaction to it, which didn't go away for 8 mos. I plan on replacing it at a different dentist, but I had looked up crown materials and found that crowns made in china often use toxic heavy metals: http://www.abingdonfamilydentistry.com/warning-metal-crowns-may-lead/