Featured Image Credit: TLC
Topics: TV And Film, Life
Jess Hardiman
A woman has taken to some seriously drastic measures to save money on medical bills, having performed her own root canal instead of going to the dentist.
Karen Hearn loves saving money so much, that she’s willing to cut corners wherever necessary – even when it comes to dentistry.
She appeared on a 2021 episode of TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates, where she spoke about her family’s cost-cutting measures.
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“Over the years, I’ve been saving small items from the doctor’s office,” she said, showing viewers through her stockpiled supplies.
“When I go to the doctor, I typically ask for some extra freebies, applicators, tongue depressors... and gloves - gloves are my most favourite thing from the doctor’s office. I sterilise them before I use them a second time.”
But it’s not just handy household items that Karen swears by when it comes to saving cash.
“I’ve saved thousands of dollars on not going to the doctor and the dentist,” she explained.
“But recently I’ve encountered a really bad toothache, these past two weeks have been horrible.
“I’ve tried clove oil, I’ve tried ice, I’ve tried everything over the counter and nothing. I finally gave up, I just had to go to the dentist.”
The dentist told Karen that she had an abscess on her tooth, meaning she required a root canal and a crown – a procedure that would set her back $1,800.
The only other option still wasn’t cheap, either, as the dentist said even removing the tooth would cost $185.
Hearn ended up taking the DIY approach, roping in the assistance of husband Grant... and a YouTube video.
“I don’t like the idea of pulling my wife’s teeth out,” he admitted.
“What if I pull the wrong one or something? But my wife threatened to take her own tooth out so this needs to be taken care of.”
The pair turned a living room into makeshift clinic, setting Karen up in an armchair.
“The extraction will actually take place using this barber’s tool, we found it at a yard sale,” she said.
“[It was] used back in the early 1920s and 1930s for when people used to go to the barber rather than a dentist to have their tooth pulled.”
The couple also created a dentist suction tool – well, of sorts – out of their vacuum cleaner and a straw, while Grant dissolved the rust on the metal tongs using cola, also putting them in rubbing alcohol to sterilise them.
While the process looked incredibly painful as Grant yanked out his wife's tooth, Karen was delighted with their approach, which set them back just $10.
“Pain only lasts a short time but saving that money lasts so much longer," she said.
“Even if I won the lottery today, I wouldn’t change.”
This hopefully goes without saying, but PLEASE don’t try this at home...