A single dad from Florida says he regrets spending his money on energy bills instead of visiting the dentist for 14 years after half his teeth rotted. Braegen McIntosh, 46, is in constant pain with broken shards of teeth in his mouth and can no longer eat solid foods.
Domino Effect of Tooth Decay
Braegen's dental issues began 14 years ago when all four of his wisdom teeth became impacted. Unable to afford removal, the wisdom teeth pushed against his other teeth, causing them to crack like a domino effect. Now, only 16 of his 32 adult teeth remain, leaving him in constant pain and unable to chew properly.
Braegen, a security officer and father of three, said: 'I went to the dentist 14 years ago and all four of my wisdom teeth were impacted. They started pushing against all of my other teeth and they started cracking like a domino effect - crack, crack, crack. Now all of my teeth are pretty much all destroyed, broken, or rotted.'
Struggling to Eat
Braegen's condition has worsened in the past two to three years. He can only eat soft foods like chili and must chew with his front teeth, which are also decaying. He avoids cold drinks and can only manage lukewarm water. 'I can't eat anything easily. Everything I try to eat is difficult and it's painful,' he said.
Prioritizing Bills Over Dental Care
As a single father, Braegen chose to pay for food and electricity instead of dental treatment. He said: 'The money I could spend on the dentist, I spend that money doing something with my kids. It would cost me $200 a month for the dental treatment if I were to finance it. It's either that or food, it's either that or electricity.'
Braegen now has a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the treatment he needs to eat and speak pain-free. He warns others not to neglect dental care amid the cost-of-living crisis: 'Going to the dentist is just as important as paying your bills.'
