Some dental advice, please?

I'm having severe tooth pain, and I'm really worried. I Don't have dental insurance, and when I saw a dentist this past summer, he said I needed a root canal/crown. I went to talk to the receptionist and she told me I was looking at 2500. There were also 2 others that were in that kind of shape that i had seen and the dentist said there was even another that i haven't felt yet. I really can't afford that, and the care credit? My estimate was 300 for the next 5 years. I know this is a lot to ask, but please no "well, you have to forget about the money and go for your health......" There is just no way, okay? I'm about to head off to Mexico to get my teeth fixed, if someone can't give me some other kind of advice. I DO know I need to have this done, but its something i cannot foresee when the amount of the work I need done equals the cost of a new (Ford) car. I don't need advice on taking care of them, either. I brush 2-3 times a day, I'm addicted to floss-picks.
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Mexico IS a good choice should be able to get good care at an affordable price and hopefully you can write off all associated costs on taxes for medical expense as you're really forced to do that. The dental school idea is legit but I don't know about making appointments--I think they do but I fear they're months out because the need is so great. Only other thing to do is to shop around for the cheapest dentist. I have dental problems with no insurance and I found a dentist who does the whole shebang on a crown for $500--the visits, the crown, adjustment if necessary. That's very reasonable as that would be the co-pay or less if I had insurance which I couldn't afford anyway. No idea about what a root canal would cost, but would be comparably cheap I should think. Another thought is to look for a brand new dentist--starting up they tend to offer lower prices as they need clients. He might be able to offer you a payment plan--may even need a bit of help with the business--maybe you can do something as a bit of a barter? Trying hard to think of anything that could work as I DO feel your pain quite literally and wish you good luck. BTW, get hooked on chewing gum with XYLITOL--helps reduce dental carries which COULD be a factor with your problems. I think there may be other things you could do, perhaps calcium supplements? to help reduce future problems.
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