Houston woman faced ‘severe' tooth pain for 10 years — what millions of Americans who share her agony can do
For more than a decade, Nikita Goffney lived with intense pain every time she tried to eat, all because her teeth were severely damaged.
As she shared with KPRC 2 Helps You, her teeth would 'break in half, literally, while I'm chewing food.'
I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)
The Houston resident had suffered silently for years, forced to avoid solid foods and compelled to hide her smile — and herself — out of embarrassment.
"I don't want (people) to judge me or, you know, judge my kids based off of me not having teeth in my mouth,' she said. 'So it has affected my whole life."
Goffney's dental problems began early. Raised in foster care, she had minimal access to dental exams and treatments during childhood. As an adult, she never had health or dental insurance, and the financial burden of dental care had put treatment out of reach. As a result, her oral health slowly deteriorated.
"I'm basically gnawing like a baby to try to get food down," Goffney explained. Due to her dental challenges, most of her meals have been limited to fresh fruits blended with protein powder and juice.
But some days, her gums would swell to the point that she simply couldn't eat. 'It (her gums) used to swell so bad that I would have to put ice packs on it,' she recalled. As the years went by, her teeth began to crack, fall apart and eventually fall out entirely.
Goffney's story, however, took a turn when she reached out to KPRC 2 Helps You. Reporter Bill Spencer connected her with Dr. Terri Alani — a Houston-based dentist specializing in implant, cosmetic and general dentistry — and Dr. Alani didn't hesitate to help.
'(I) realize how lucky I am to be able to give back to people," Dr. Alani expressed. "It's not on purpose that their teeth are in such bad shape and that they can't smile. Everybody should have the chance to be able to smile and feel good about themselves.'
With Dr. Alani's assistance, Goffney will receive a full smile makeover — free of charge. And while Goffney is thankful for Dr. Alani's help, millions of Americans struggling with similar dental issues are unable to afford a trip to the dentist.
Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Goffney's situation, while heartbreaking, is not uncommon. Dental care in the United States is often siloed from general health care and remains a financial burden for millions.
According to recent statistics from the American Dental Association, only about 39% of adults ages 19-64 visit the dentist regularly. This is often due to cost barriers, which 13% of the population reported for dental care, versus 4–5% that reported cost barriers for other health care services.
Here's why dental issues can quickly become expensive:
Cleanings can cost anywhere from $75 to $200 without coverage, and untreated problems can often snowball into severe issues.
Root canals can exceed $1,200, and a dental bridge can cost you $2,500 or more.
Even those with insurance often find limited help, as many plans cap coverage anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 annually, far short of what's needed for major dental procedures.
Whether you're uninsured or underinsured, there are a few things Americans can do help to manage the costs of dental care:
Find dental discount plans. Unlike insurance, these memberships offer reduced rates from participating dentists, often up to 50% off.
Use HSAs or FSAs. With a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can set aside pre-tax dollars for future dental expenses.
Get cost estimates in advance and budget. Ask for a written treatment plan so you can prepare yourself with a budget and even shop around to compare different dentists' fees.
Start a dental fund. Setting aside just $30–$50 per month in a high-yield savings account can cushion the blow if an emergency dental procedure arises.
You may not have to pay 100% upfront. Many dentists offer payment plans or third-party financing, and some even offer sliding-scale fees.
Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it
Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead
There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
When it comes to liberty, Florida, why stop at fluoride?
Our state legislature's ban on fluoridation does not go far enough. When Republican State Rep. Danny Alvarez said, "This is not about fluoride. This is about your liberty," every word applied to chlorine with equal relevancy. Yes, chlorine. The chemical that makes swimming pools smell funny as it neutralizes the indiscretions of bathers. How dare the government add chlorine to our drinking water to protect us from diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid without our consent! Some of us might prefer seeking "herd immunity" to these illnesses, even though untrustworthy "science" tells us this is impossible. Remember, this "science" also alleges we are in "climate change," an untruth our governor has banned from our textbooks and legislation. Ending chlorination isn't a blue issue or a red issue; it's a green issue. Let's turn our tap water green with algae and pond scum as a perpetual reminder that we are free Americans living in the Free State of Florida. Fluoridation in Florida: City-by-city: Does your municipality use fluoride to treat its drinking water? Carl Imboden, West Palm Beach This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida got freedom from fluoride. They shouldn't stop there | Letters
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. has promoted 'freedom of choice' while limiting vaccines, food
Prior to becoming Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had espoused the idea of "medical freedom," the ability of people to make personal health decisions for themselves and their families without corporate or government coercion. It's an idea supported under Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease in the U.S. by making healthier lifestyle choices. On topics, such as vaccines, Kennedy has said he wouldn't prevent children from being able to receive vaccines but would leave the choice up to parents. MORE: CDC official who oversaw COVID vaccine recommendations resigns "I'm a freedom-of-choice person," Kennedy told Fox News host Sean Hannity during an interview in March. "We should have transparency. We should have informed choice, and if people don't want it, the government shouldn't force them to do it." Some public health experts told ABC News, however, that the HHS has been limiting choices on some products for many Americans despite Kennedy's talk about "freedom of choice." Just last week, Kennedy announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups. Additionally, Kennedy has called on states to ban recipients of food stamps from being able to use them to purchase soda. He has also praised states for banning fluoride from public drinking water and indicated he will change federal guidance on recommending adding fluoride. The public health experts said Kennedy's actions are setting up a dichotomy on public health. "I think that RFK Jr. has done a really good job of identifying some of the problems [in public health], but it's the solutions that are problematic," Dr. Craig Spencer, an associate professor of the practice of health services, policy and practice at Brown University School of Public Health, told ABC News. "What you're seeing with RFK Jr. and his approach to health is an individualization of public health. It's this idea that you can make decisions for your health, and that's always been true." He went on, "We need to be able to follow their guidance, not just have them tell us, 'Follow your own science.' As the focus shifts from community to individuals, we're losing a lot of that underpinning, which has led to a lot of the gains in public health." Kennedy has repeatedly stated that he is not anti-vaccine and that he supports vaccination. Shortly after Trump's election, Kennedy said in an interview with NBC News that "if vaccines are working for somebody, I'm not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information." MORE: CDC official who oversaw COVID vaccine recommendations resigns During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy said he supported the childhood vaccination schedule and that he would not do anything as head of HHS that "makes it difficult or discourages people from taking vaccines." Separately, in an opinion piece Kennedy wrote for Fox News in March on the nationwide measles outbreak, he said the measles vaccine helps protect individuals and provides "community immunity" but also called the decision to vaccinate a "personal one." However, last week, Kennedy announced the removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC's immunization schedule for "healthy children and healthy pregnant women." The CDC's immunization schedule is not just a guide for doctors but also determines insurance coverage for most major private plans and Medicaid expansion programs. Following Kennedy's announcement, the schedule was updated noting all children would be eligible for COVID vaccines, but now under a shared-clinical decision-making model -- allowing parents to choose whether their children are vaccinated alongside advice from a doctor. "Regarding the vaccines, HHS is restoring the doctor-patient relationship," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told ABC News in a statement. "We are encouraging those groups to consult with their health care provider to help them make an informed decision. This is freedom of choice." "If you restrict access, you necessarily restrict choice," Dr. Matthew Ferrari, a professor of biology and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Pennsylvania State University, told ABC News. "Those two things are antithetical. You can't do both. You can't say you're allowing choice if you're restricting access." Ferrari said the idea of "medical freedom" is catchy, but public health recommendations are made based on how to protect the most vulnerable individuals. "If you look at the outcomes, if you look at the consequences of that movement, it has been to disproportionately restrict access to -- and restrict support and infrastructure to allow people to access -- preventive medicine," he said. "It's sort of easy to say, 'Well, take the vaccine away. But [vaccines] prevent a future outcome of illness for yourself and for others in the community." Traditionally, the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices decides if there is a benefit to a yearly vaccine and who should get it. The independent advisory committee then makes recommendations to the CDC, which has the final say. The committee was set to meet in late June to vote on potential changes to COVID vaccine recommendations. Spencer said Kennedy's bypassing of traditional avenues when it comes to changing vaccine recommendations is also taking away choice from people. "This did not go through the normal process that it should have, and he basically just made a decision for people while at the same time saying that he's going to let people make a decision," Spencer said. Kennedy has also campaigned to prevent Americans from using food stamps -- provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- to buy candy and soda. "It's nonsensical for U.S. taxpayers to spend tens of billions of dollars subsidizing junk that harms the health of low-income Americans," Kennedy wrote in an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal last September. MORE: RFK Jr. to tell medical schools to teach nutrition or lose federal funding At a MAHA event in late May, Kennedy said the governors of 10 states have submitted waivers to the United States Department of Agriculture requesting permission to ban SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy candy and soft drinks. "The U.S. government spends over $4 trillion a year on health care," Nixon said in a statement. "That's not freedom -- it's failure. Secretary Kennedy is unapologetically taking action to reverse the chronic disease epidemic, not subsidize it with taxpayer dollars. Warning Americans about the dangers of ultra-processed food isn't an attack on choice -- it's the first step in restoring it." Nutrition experts agree that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are unhealthy. Frequent consumption of SSBs is linked to health issues such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease and kidney diseases, according to the CDC. Kristina Petersen, an associate professor in the department of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University, told ABC News there is a crisis of diet-related diseases in the U.S., which increase the risk of disability and reduces lifespan. However, she said there needs to be strong evidence of the benefits of restrictive policies if they are to be put in place. "In terms of limiting people's choices, it is important to consider all the different roles that food plays in someone's life, and so obviously we want people eating nutritious foods, but also we need to acknowledge that food is a source of enjoyment," Petersen said. "A lot of social situations revolve around food. So, when we're thinking about reducing people's access to given foods, we need to think about the consequences of that." One unintended consequence could be an eligible family not signing up for SNAP benefits because of the restrictions, she said. Even if a ban on buying candy and soda with SNAP benefits does occur, Petersen said she is not aware of any evidence that shows banning certain foods leads to healthier diets. She added that the nation's dietary guidelines are written to emphasize healthy foods like fruits and vegetable rather than telling people to avoid or restrict less healthy foods. "All foods can be consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern. It's really just the amount and the frequency that determines whether that pattern is helpful overall or less helpful," Petersen said. "People can have small indulgences, but really, we're interested in what is their pattern over a period of time." Providing incentives for purchasing healthier foods may be more effective and still allow people to have choice, Petersen said. A 2018 study used a model simulation to study the effects of food incentives, disincentives or restrictions in SNAP. One of the simulations involving incentives for foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and plant-based oils found to have the most substantial health benefits and be the most cost-effective. "Things like fruits and vegetables, they do tend to be more expensive, so if you incentivize them by providing more benefits … that's making the dollar go further, and it's kind of making the economic piece of this a bit stronger," Petersen said. "A lot of this is framed around personal choice. Rather than restricting access to, how can we give people more access to healthy foods? I think that's going to have the greatest benefit here." ABC News' Youri Benadjaoud and Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report. RFK Jr. has promoted 'freedom of choice' while limiting vaccines, food originally appeared on
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and cottage cheese: The foods helping GLP-1 users hit their protein goals
Joie Armstrong knows that a home-cooked meal featuring whole foods is the best way to get her daily nutrients. She takes cues from her grandmother, who lived to be 104, because she never owned a car, walked everywhere and grew her own food, Armstrong says. Since starting a GLP-1 medication last year, Armstrong has been more focused than ever on getting the nutrition she needs. Priority No. 1? Protein, to keep her muscles fueled, her appetite satisfied and, as she puts it, to turn her body into a 'constant fat burner.' But Armstrong is also a modern mother, which means she's busy shuttling her kids from school to ballet and back, on top of everything else parenting demands. Thanks to the weight loss medication she's taking, her appetite isn't what it once was. So these days, it's about eating what she can when she can to get the most nutritional bang for the buck. 'I love a good fast food hack,' she tells Yahoo Life. 'I probably eat out once a week, and I know it's not the healthiest, but it's [my family's] reality because we're in transit far more often than we're sitting at the kitchen table.' Armstrong is one of millions of Americans taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. Many of these people refer to themselves, collectively, as a 'community.' And that community has developed countless 'hacks' to support their weight loss journeys. As a reporter, I've talked to dozens of people taking these medications, and it's kind of astounding how clearly certain foods have emerged as go-to ways for them to meet their oft-cited 'protein goals' quickly, conveniently and affordably. What are their favorite foods? Read on. GLP-1 medications — including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — work by simulating certain hormones in the body that tell you when you're hungry and when you're full. These effects on satiety signals mean that people on GLP-1s have smaller appetites and they feel fuller more quickly. That makes the drugs highly effective for weight loss, but it can pose a challenge, Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, an obesity medicine physician, tells Yahoo Life. 'Because the satiety from the medicine is so strong, some people can only tolerate smaller, easier-to-eat portions that still taste good,' he says. But people taking GLP-1s still need all the essential nutrients in their diets, and they especially need to consume plenty of protein to prevent muscle loss, promote weight loss and reduce nausea, says Nadolsky. Avoiding fat is also important, so eating grilled or sautéed meat is better than choosing breaded or fried options; the frying process for the latter adds calories and fat, which is counter-productive to people's weight loss goals. And for those on a GLP-1, 'higher fat, greasy, heavy foods tend to cause more of the nausea, upset stomach and potential vomiting in these patients,' Nadolsky says. Fattier foods, he adds, 'are just sitting there in your gut' because they take longer to digest. GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, the process of digestion in which food moves from the stomach into the rest of the digestive tract. The slowdown is particularly dramatic when someone first starts on a GLP-1, which is why they may be particularly sensitive to nausea from high-fat foods during this period. Although this sensitivity wanes over time, GLP-1 patients have to walk a fine line: Getting sufficient, nutritious food that's appetizing to them, without overconsuming stomach-roiling fat and grease. Luckily, GLP-1ers (as many call themselves) have pooled plenty of out-to-eat and at-home hacks. 12-piece grilled chicken nuggets: 200 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, 38 grams of protein Grilled chicken sandwich: 390 calories, 11 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbs, 28 grams of protein Small mac and cheese: 270 calories, 17 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein With a menu built around chicken, it's perhaps no surprise that this fast food restaurant is one of the best bets for someone taking a GLP-1. A commonly cited favorite order is Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken nuggets. Armstrong likes to order a 12-piece grilled chicken nugget meal and stretch it across a few meals (nuggets make great salad toppings, she notes). Or, she'll choose a grilled chicken sandwich, which comes on a multigrain bun, 'so it's got good carbs and whole grains,' she says. Many people acclimate and can incorporate some nutritional splurges (pizza, bagels and breaded chicken) after a few months on a GLP-1. Haley Sipes, a stay-at-home mom in Kentucky, has been taking Zepbound for about eight months now. 'I love, love, love Chick-fil-A — that's my biggest go-to,' she says. Sipes has found she can tolerate the breaded chicken nuggets, which she orders along with a small side of mac and cheese. 'That way, it's something I enjoy, but I'm still getting protein,' she says. Salad with chicken, no rice, black beans, fajita vegetables and chipotle-honey vinaigrette: 555 calories, 25 grams of fat, 46 grams of carbs, and 42 grams of protein Kids meal with chicken, rice, fajita veggies and soft flour tortillas: 380 calories, 10 grams of fat, 52 grams of carbs, 23 grams of protein Chipotle makes dietitians' and Nadolsky's lists of fast food restaurants with healthy options. 'I love the Chipotle chicken salad with no sour cream, no cheese and very light on the vinaigrette,' says Nadolsky. Since the salads and bowls are customizable, it's easy to order a Chipotle option that suits GLP-1 users' needs. And for some people, that allows them to return to an old favorite restaurant without having to eat more than they need or risk stomach upset. Branneisha Cooper, who started taking Zepbound in 2022 and previously spoke to Yahoo Life for our On My Weigh series, used to order a Chipotle bowl with extra protein. But since starting her weight loss medication, she's switched to ordering a kids quesadilla, which comes with meat and the sides of your choosing. She says it's about half the serving of food she would have previously ordered. 'I try to make sure whatever I'm getting, it's protein-focused, and I try to make sure I get at least some vegetables,' she previously told Yahoo Life. 'Protein-style' Dave's Single burger (no bun, extra lettuce): 420 calories, 34 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs, 24 grams of protein 10-piece crispy chicken nuggets: 450 calories, 29 grams of fat, 23 grams of carbs, 25 grams of protein Continuing the chicken theme, Wendy's is another reliable choice for Armstrong. But now that she's taking Zepbound, she skips the fries and orders her chicken sandwich or burger 'protein-style,' meaning it's served on lettuce instead of a bun. But you won't find the protein-style meal on the drive-through menu, Armstrong notes. It's almost like a secret menu (if you know, you know). By choosing to get a chicken sandwich or a Dave's Single on lettuce, Armstrong can significantly cut down on carbs without sacrificing protein. One serving of low-fat cottage cheese: 90 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein When it comes to eating on GLP-1s, much of 'what's old is new again,' says Nadolsky. That's where cottage cheese comes in. This snack has seen a huge resurgence in popularity amid the protein craze. And GLP-1 users are here for it. Cooper likes to make a cottage cheese and egg scramble (eggs are a favorite in the GLP-1 community too) because it's a quick, easy and high-protein breakfast. 'I try to eat colorfully, so sometimes I add spinach,' she previously told Yahoo Life. Michael Donnelly-Boylen has been on Mounjaro since March 2024. For months, he was afraid to eat his former favorite food, pizza, because he felt angry about its role in his obesity. But these days, he's started making cottage cheese pizza bowls. 'It's like a great pizza dip,' he says. Balanced Break box with white cheddar cheese, almonds and dried cranberries: 190 calories, 13 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein What's square, preportioned and high-protein? A Lunchable. More specifically, healthier 'adult' versions of the classic (but highly processed) kids meal. Sipes likes to buy several of Sargento's take on the snack pack to nibble on throughout the week. There are several variations, but she usually chooses one containing cheese, bite-size meat sticks, nuts and chocolate. 'When you realize it's 2 p.m. and you haven't had any sustenance, it's an easy way to give your brain some energy and not have to make a decision about what you want to eat,' she says. Aside from prioritizing protein, that's the busy mom's primary eating strategy: Make it easy, tasty and grazeable. 'Time is money, and I'm all about convenience in this season in my life,' Sipes says.
