Goodbye soft foods hello dental hell

Anyone out there have State of nj dental benefits or Horizon dental?  After a year of sticking to softer foods (no chicken or bagels)  I was finally able to eat chicken (well pounded and chewed, with a sauce) and now a problem tooth has gone south from the chewing!!! My option are now only an inplant or a bridge. Ugh. It would be nice to hear from someone that this isn't a 100% out of the pocket expense ($3000 to be exact)

Sorry...but nope.... Wanted to say dental problems are ridiculous and wishing you the best of luck. Just out of curiosity - why were you on soft foods for a year? Pam

I wasn't on soft foods per se. I just couldn't seem to  tolerate chicken. My local Shoprite  sells a filet mignon my husband trims and sautes, and that's just fine.- so tender it can be cut with a fork. I can eat fish, most vegetables, shrimp and even pasta in small doses.The chicken was just more chewy and just wouldn't work. Bagels i avoid because  my doctor's office said they'd had only two episodes of blockage with food- tough steak and a bagel. Everyone seems to have some food they have trouble with, and unfortunately chicken was mine. Unfortunately,  expenses in dental continue to be out there and uncovered even if one is lucky to have dental insurance!

Yep I hear ya..... I avoid bagels too - but only because I don't deal well with real doughy products.  I occassionally have some bread, but limit that. I think it is Tyson who makes packages of refrigerated pre cooked pre chopped chicken.  It is a little more expensive, but must say it is some of the tenderest, juiciest chicken I have found.  I keep it in the fridge and add it to salads and what not.  But, like you said, there is some food that gives people problems, so even this might not help. Good luck with the whole dentist thing - I know what you mean about costs even for those with insurance.   Pam