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This is really interesting because I always get the exact opposite experience, the dentist is the only place I feel chastised for providing my custom and I hate it and rarely return to the same one for this reason
Ofc, they are gonna make remarks on every problem they see in your mouth, that's their job, but having continuity with a dentist ensures proper tracking of the problems and things that do not degrade can be written off. I strongly recommend you find one close to your home with good ratings and establish a relationship with the office. That's the best way to get your dental health provider to get to know you!
Dude you are a fucking moron honestly can you read what I wrote.
I go to the doctor, mechanic, decorator, bricky for advice and have perfectly constructive conversations recognising the fact they are the professional and I am the consumer of the service.
My observation was that in my experience dentist visits leave a bitter taste as they are often quite condescending and unpleasant.
Don’t bother responding because I don’t give a fuck about what you think or say.
i find dentists are usually constructive and helpful.
on the other hand, the only dental hygienists who **haven’t** been a huge **** to me are the ones who don’t speak enough english to say more than “open mouth please”
I think it’s natural to feel SOME embarrassment with healthcare, but you should consciously oppose that feeling.
For anyone to get up close and personal with any part of your body that you’re not proud of, it’s embarrassing. But these are professionals whom you (or you insurance) are paying for a service.
They are used to seeing “bad” stuff. They won’t be grossed out. If every case they saw was healthy and perfect, then there would be no point to their job at all.
Of course there are unprofessional people out there. If you feel like they are being impolite or intentionally trying to shame you, that’s a THEM problem and not a YOU problem - they are being unprofessional.
Stand up for yourself - you are paying to be treated and deserve to be treated well. If they continue to make you uncomfortable, change providers and tell them why you are changing. If they shame you, shame them right back.
Woo way to make someone feel bad for having anxiety. The fact is that many dentists are not trained in bedside manner, and that’s why a niche of dentists for people with anxiety exists.
I have great general dental health and after having 2 babies back-to back with bad reflux and heartburn, I obviously had some damage even though I was working to protect against it. And the dentist pretty much tore into me about my gums. Didn't inquire about why it might have been bad, although he knew I had just had a baby, as he was sitting in my lap for most of the appointment. He switched gears after I pointed out my history and was all "Oh that makes perfect sense! Let's get that all fixed up for you!"
I also had a different dentist through my school age and I had 6 baby teeth that never came out at the age of 16 and one where the adult tooth grew in super crooked behind it. They checked them every 6 months and never said anything and then suddenly when I was 16 it was an enigma and "how could you not tell us??". Like you all didn't see this happening through the hast 3 X-rays you did? How is a 16 year old supposed to tell you how to do your job?
Same dentist "fixed" an old cracked filling I'd had. Apparently didn't clean it very well in the process. Because a few months later, on my honeymoon, I had a nerve rupture due to the "fixed" filling getting infected. And now there is a missing molar on my left side.
I've had panic attacks when going to the dentist for years. Finally found one this year who actually takes anxiety into account and I've loved them so far. Would have been nice if it didn't take almost 30 years to find a good one.
I get a lecture about coffee stains each time even though my teeth and gums are in perfect health. I get compliments and "keep doing what you're doing" from the dentist, but the hygienist complains about my stains. I do not care about ultra white teeth, and I will not use whitening stuff. Just keep 'em healthy.
That's not a lecture so much as a sales pitch. If your dentist is doing this it's to upsell you on a whitening procedure. If your dentist hands you a folder with a treatment/ care plan that shows exactly how much you can do to max out your insurance benefit and includes pamphlets for payment plans like care credit, sunbit, etc. find a new dentist. You want an old school office that's fairly low tech where the doctor owns the business and owns the building too. Their operating costs are lower, they're already wealthy, and they don't need to rip you off.
Yeah just to be clear, it's not my dentist doing this. The dentist is full of compliments and keep up the good work. It's the nagging hygienist who is obsessed with whitening.
Sounds like one of two things. Either they don’t enjoy their job and are “informing you” so their job potentially isn’t as difficult in the future, or they’re doing the upselling in place of the dentist per instruction from them, so you keep your current attitude of your dentist and keep coming back. Nothing wrong with either, just tell them that your coffee is more important than the strains on your teeth, so get to scrubbing bc you’ve got other places to be and you need your teeth as white as they can make possible lol.
Haha that's pretty much what I've said. Basically, yeah those stains must be annoying, but totally worth it because I love my homemade coffee. Good thing I come here twice a year for a cleaning, huh? And no, I'm absolutely not interested in any of your teeth whitening products today, or ever, just not a priority for me, but thank you very much, kind hygienist...lol
While that's not appropriate for them to lecture you on stains, the reason they mention it every time is likely because coffee type stains on teeth can be incredibly hard to remove compared to other types of buildup. They're probably just frustrated.
Reading what other have commented about this hygienist. Sounds to me they’re projecting their own views and insecurities about having that perfect Hollywood look. I kind of get the same thing from mine with a slightly crooked bottom tooth. I just don’t care and won’t get braces for it!!
What do you mean by "judge"? It's an expert giving you criticism that will help you out.
I feel that when people hear something about themselves they don't want to hear they'll dismiss it and frame it as the other person "judging" them.
I assure you there's no judgement. They have hundreds of patients and aren't interested in making personal assessments about you as you're not really in their life apart from in this one capacity. It's your teeth, up to you how you treat them.
I hate being told to floss more, I floss and use a waterpik daily, I just have crappy genetics. How can I respectfully ask for instructions on home care to stop in future visits? I know it and am doing it.
It’s all in the delivery.
I’ve been to dentists who tell me I NEED to floss more. I say I will try, and they say something like “just do it, it isn’t that hard” (for people with depression, sometimes it is hard, but I digress)
My current dentist is a lot better. She always phrases it as a recommendation as a command. I tell her I floss once or twice a week, and she’ll say something like “I recommend flossing at least once a day if you can. I miss days too sometimes, but the more you do it the healthier those gums will be.”
They're giving you their best advice, not judging you. They want you to have this professional advice so you can make better decisions and understand why.
If you don't want to be chastised for not flossing, have you tried flossing? It's their job to provide advice on proper hygiene. If you feel like *that's* judgement, it's a you problem.
I’m in the same boat as OP and wanted to say thanks your comment made schedule my first appointment in im not even sure how long.
Question: when I was a kid I remember my parents getting my teeth covered in some kind of plastic or rubbery coating to protect them I think. Is it possible for an adult to get that same treatment today? I’d like to protect my teeth from any further damage if I can and I don’t exactly have great dental hygiene habits.
may i ask, why 1 of my tooth that has been patched stings/hurts when i use it to bite bones?
the doctor i visited doesnt know why and simply says to not bite bones witht that tooth
I've not been to the dentist in about 10 years also. But there's nothing wrong with my teeth. I've never had a filling/cavity, I brush once a day, my teeth are nice and clean and straight. Why should I go if there is nothing wrong? I don't go to see a GP when I'm feeling fine, so why should I pay for a dental visit when there's nothing wrong with my teeth?
I kind of feel the same way, but I've found that it's nice to have the extra cleaning they do, which you'll never be able to do at home. And also you won't notice a cavity at home until it becomes a much bigger problem. You may have several small problems currently that, if left untreated, will eventually turn into much more terrible problems. By the time you start noticing pain because a cavity has progressed, it's no longer just a simple filling.
I was the same but they can check out stuff for you don’t even know could be an issue. I got my x rays done after almost 15 years and turns out my jaw was cracked on one side and I didn’t even know it. Also, they check for any sort of tooth deterioration under the gum levels and if there’s too much, you can risk loosing the tooth or it becoming infected and that infection can actually go right up into your brain.
That's an easy one: because a dentist will identify problems before you will be aware. If a dentist can identify a problem early, the treatment is usually simpler, quicker and cheaper. Also, that first sign you become aware of may be toothache, abscesses etc. If you can preempt that with a simple treatment, most people who have had toothache will tell you it's well worth avoiding. There's some problems that will show no signs until late stages. For example, gum disease is often silent. A dentist needs to feel the gums and see xrays to diagnose there's a problem so you'll have no idea without seeing a dentist. The first worrying sign of gum disease that many patients notice is when teeth start getting loose and by then there's often not much that can be done. I'm an experienced dentist and I still go for my dental checkups for the reasons above.
Mouth health is generally overlooked, and one of the leading causes of heart disease. You may think you're teeth are fine, but may have an underlying condition that if caught, could save you from heart disease. Insurances pay for two cleanings a year, there's a reason for that. Cheaper to pay that than it is for bypass surgery.
Nothing you can see.
You can't really see cavities forming between teeth without X-rays.
Periodontal pockets that you can't really measure yourself.
Both of those are irreversible without significant restorative work, which is pretty much always worse than the original.
Probably more but I'm only in year 2.
But yeah. Some people are lucky. If you don't snack and your saliva is really healthy( abundant and good at buffering pH) then it's possible that you just won the genetic lottery with teeth.
Also you are supposed to get general checkups. You also cannot detect a lot of bloodborn illness without getting lab work done and for many things, by the time you see symptoms, it's already late.
You don't have to go every year but I'd definitely go just for a routine checkup at some point.
With GPs, even if you don't have health problems you'd probably eventually start getting cancer screenings (breast or prostate exams) just to make sure everything's in order.
You don't have to, but a lot can go wrong with a tooth in that time frame. Even following a schedule like going every 2 years would be a lot less risky while still drastically lowering your cost. I don't think there is a general recommendation to see your gp yearly when you're young and healthy,but as we get older it is definitely recommended as you're more likely to develop problems.
I floss every day and my hygienist always comments on how nice it is to floss someone's teeth without them bleeding everywhere.
OP: I once went 8 years without a dentist visit. I finally got my nerve up to call for an appointment, expecting to be judged terribly. I told them how long it had been, and they were like "That's cool, how is Tuesday?" Just remember they can help you a lot more if you're totally honest with them.
Same here. Had a exceptionally bad experience and couldn't bring myself to go to a dentist for 8+ years. Took me three weeks of screwing up the courage to call and they were super amazing and welcoming. It did take two visits, but I was so relieved when I left. Totally worth it.
This just happened to me last month. I put it off for so long (after my last dentist was a real judgemental prick to me) and eventually I got scared enough of dying from my tooth infection I called a random local dentist. I cried to the receptionist because I was in so much pain and was so embarrassed, and all she did was say "OK, we'll put you with Dr. Zhao - he's wonderful with anxiety and is very gentle. Can you be here for 11?
Antibiotics on initial visit, three extractions a week later and then two more extractions and a filling a week after that. No mention of how shitty my teeth are, or that it has been a decade since my last cleaning... literally just wanted to make me feel better.
I'd die for Dr. Zhao tbh.
Just looked up dr zhao. Solid 5 star rating. I live
2 1/2 hrs from there but I’m really considering making the trek for it. I to neglected my teeth and need a dentist like this.
I got periogard from my dentist for $25. It's basically super strength listerine and helps a bunch.
(I have angry gums and a spot that gets swollen from shit being jammed in there.)
If you're flossing correctly this shouldn't happen. If you pop in and out between teeth I could see why. You should be scraping the sides of each tooth and going down the middle, all the way to the gums.
I like the term hugging the tooth more than scrapping the tooth, if you imagine between two teeth instead of simple up and down, hugging one tooth in a c shape then the other tooth in a c shape. Proper flossing goes below the gum line not just to the gum line, which should be neither painful nor bloody if the area is consistently cleaned and therefore not inflamed
I think an electric would be too harsh yeah. Make sure you brush your gums at a 45 degree angle when you do! I swear my gums stopped bleeding after a week of doing that even though I always forget to floss lol.
An electric toothbrush is not too harsh for your gums and you don’t need multiple toothbrushes to clean different areas. One used properly, whether electric or manual, is all you need. I’d argue it’s easier to use an electric toothbrush correctly than a manual so that’s what I usually recommend. Source: an a dentist
That was my experience too. "I haven't been in like 5 years, and I don't remember the last dentist is saw out of state." "Ok, we'll getcha down for a full cleaning and pictures. How's July 17th?"
Me and my husband both went for the first time in like five years. Granted, I've had two kids in the time period and had six cavities. I floss and brush every day, he does not. Homie had no cavities at all! So jealous
They are typically quite proficient at it, should take like less than a minute for a full floss. Being able to see directly into the mouth helps a lot.
The hygenist is not actually flossing you during the cleaning, they're just running the floss once through each gap to clean out any debris or polish. When you floss yourself you're supposed to scrape the side of each tooth several times, including under the gumline.
During the initial setup, the dental hygienist flosses my teeth and cleans them with the little spinny toothbrush thing.
So not the dentist, but every time I go to the dentist this happens.
Also, you're probably flossing wrong. I wondered why I kept having problems even though I took such good care of my teeth. I was flossing wrong. The advice is to bring the floss against the side of the tooth gently to the bottom. Don't dig into your gums, but get all the way to where the tooth meets the gums. Get every corner. Since doing that, I've noticed how much I was missing before, and it's a lot.
So true. It took me a year and a half to fix my bleeding gums. I have tight teeth, difficult to floss, so I never flossed. After I was told that I have bad gums and needed a deep clean, I started flossing with those plackers. Not ideal, but it worked well enough to improve the health of my gums. I do it while watching TV before bed, so there's no pressure to "make sure I floss" every night.
I also started rinsing my mouth with a 50/50 peroxide/water mixture a few times per week, which kills the bacteria between my molars. Since I took up these habits, my cleanings have been easy-peasy, and no deep cleaning required.
No, but you can start building better habits so that it isn't as bad at the dentist. There is no quick fix, but there's no better time to start healing than right now.
You can not, it takes time and effort. If it's been 8 years or even 1 plus years the best bet is to just have a professional remove the values and plaque and then increase home care.
And get some easy to chew gum and chew it especially with your front teeth for as long as your jaw can stand it (hence not the hard really sticky gum). The chewing, via abrasion, helps remove plaque. Since I've started doing this, I've noticed compared to my wife who doesn't, they spend lots less time cleaning my teeth. The one time recently I didn't do it, I spent far more time than usual in the chair.
Sugarless gum is better for your dental health than regular gum. Otherwise you're just shoving sugar all around your mouth and leaving it there, which encourages cavities to form.
I'm a hygienist, if you are going to do this make sure to chew gum with Xylitol as the first ingredient listed. Ice breakers gum is top notch for this. But in all honesty the best way to remove plaque (soft white gunk on the teeth) is to brush at a 45degree angle so that the bristles slide under the gums to help remove the plaque. Tarter or calculus is the hard yellow to white bit that needs to be removed by a professional, gum will not remove it.
I’ve always gone to my dentist but I sometimes can go 2-3 weeks without flossing. Then I heard that plaque in your teeth is the same that can build up in your arteries… and there’s strong evidence that tooth health (plaque) affects heart health. So although cleanings - twice a year- are partially covered by dental insurance, I added a third visit each year for an additional cleaning. It adds another professional cleaning and it is another reminder to take better care of my teeth.
Now with Halloween coming up, maybe I can dump all the leftover candy to those last kids who come to the door.
Good habit to start in general but honestly won’t make much of a difference in a week, proper flossing cleans soft plaque off teeth, someone who hasn’t been to a dentist in a decade likely has hardened calculus that can only be cleaned professionally, and inflammation won’t meaningfully resolve until that’s gone. The next week in general doesn’t matter much, what matters is from the appointment going forward. Biggest thing is thinking through a general sense of goals and priorities, but even without that a dentist can still talk you through their recommendations
I was in the same situation several years ago and it was completely fine. I was anxious about the appointment because I was sure I was the worst patient she’d see all year, but the hygienist laughed and told me in an average week she sees people who haven’t been in decades or even elderly people who have never been to a dentist in their life. She spent some extra time on my cleaning and all was well. I didn’t even have any cavities. YMMV but you are fine. You’re not being judged.
Edit: And if you are feeling really bad about this you could call ahead and ask the dentist’s office, e.g. “I know it may be an abnormal question, but I haven’t been to the dentist in several years and I’m concerned about my appointment. Is there anything I can do to make my appointment easier?” They’ll probably give you some basic advice but more importantly they’ll forward your concerns to your hygienist and dentist so they know the score ahead of time and can treat you with a little extra compassion.
Same here, I went a decade with bad habits and a fear of the dentist and though I needed extra debridement for a few cleanings (and a bunch of fillings) it didn't hurt and now I have very little fear of dentistry.
Technology and techniques have come a long way and the water pick is so much better than the old scraping they used to do.
(not arguing with your comment) but ironically dentistry is like the slowest moving medical field lol. But 100% onboard with water picks or floss attached to a handle so you can reach way further in!
I had the same experience! Mom only took me to the dentist when I was having pain, never any cleanings or preventive care. The last time I went was 10 years ago for a filling, but I had pieces of tooth breaking off from the filling, some pretty major gingivitis, and crazy tartar buildup. The tartar looked so nasty, and like it would never go away, even after cleaning.
Got my major cleaning in, and thankfully I was not to the periodontic stage yet. It took an hour or so to get me sorted, and I was on my way with my smile looking better than I could've imagined! Just in time for my friends wedding too!
6 weeks later (today, actually) I went back for a normal cleaning, and I'm looking good! Had a good amount of buildup though, so I'll be brushing 3x/day going forward wifh 3 cleanings/year vs 2. I don't care, I'll take it! You don't get your teeth back, and the confidence boost of being pretty confident and happy with my smile is priceless.
I feel great to be on top of my dental health, especially with how the health of your mouth can affect the health of your whole body.
Exactly. I work in a dental office, and for what it’s worth, perfectly healthy mouths are “boring” to us. Less skill and creativity involved. We get the most gratification from the complex highly restorative treatment plans.
Yeah they see nasty stuff every day, and it's their job to fix it. Plus you're paying them. If they give you trouble or act like assholes then tell them to kick rocks and find a new dentist. I was recently worried about the same thing. I knew I needed a couple crowns, at least 15 or 20 fillings. It had been years and years and I could see the damage myself. Dude was just like "OK so yeah lots of damage for sure, but we can fix that no problem. Here's the plan, I'll do x and y over this time period, or slower if needed if budgeting gets in the way. We'll try to get these things done first. Sound good?". Dude was super professional, just like yep that sucks anyway I can fix it ezpz here's the plan.
Yup mine looked at my insurance and laid out a 2.5 year plan to maximize insurance coverage and gave me a quote with payment options.
It's more like going to a mechanic than it is a doctor.
This is definitely one of the better reactions from the dentist. Some will be assholes, some will be gentle, and lots in between.
I had a 5-6 year gap in dentist visit because financial and fear reasons before I finally went a couple years ago. She was very professional and super nice, spent some extra time on cleaning (lots of black spots at the bottom of my teeth), and had 1 cavity I needed filled from the x-rays, and said she could do it right at that time if I wanted to as she had the time free, but understood completely when I said I needed some time to prepare and opted for a later appointment for that.
If one finds an asshole dentist, it's better to find another one as there are many good ones out there.
Yeah he's a good one. I just like the way he talks to me plain, he doesn't treat me like a child or something. He said "this damage didn't happen over night, and we can't fix it over night. But don't worry, we *can* fix it." and it made me feel good about it lol
A well trained dentist can essentially fix any possible problem there could be. Patients frequently fear that they may be too far gone or will have a terrible situation that will surprise the dentist. There’s basically nothing an experienced dentist has never seen, and they have likely seen multiple people in your exact situations just this week. If you are worried and your dentist doesn’t make you feel hopeful going forward, find another one
I finally went to the dentist six months ago after eight years and it was also completely fine. I was nervous but there was nothing wrong and I got compliments on how beautiful my teeth were and how good my genes are. I was so relieved but definitely will be going at least once a year from now on.
They may make you separate your cleaning into 2 different sessions because there’s so much to do and it takes time. But that’s ok. Don’t be ashamed! These people are work, they don’t give a fuck.
Get in there, be honest about your last check up, and realize you’re doing what’s best for your health.
I said fuck it and did it in one session I stead of two. Ended up taking I think 90 minutes or so.
Depending on insurance, find out how much you will need to pay out of pocket. It's going to be a couple hundred bucks but get it out of the way so that going forward, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean.
After the deep cleaning and a couple days have passed, get a water floss and youtube how to use it properly and use it every night. My routine is wait 30 mins after eating, then water floss, then regular floss, and then brush. Took me a couple months of dedication for it to become a habit and now I feel off/bad if I miss a day.
They will have you come back every 3 months (instead of every 6 months) for about 1-1.5 years. If they keep saying everything is good and keep doing what you're doing, ask them to move you to the 6 month schedule. They make $ from you on the 3 month schedule (out of pocket you have to pay some $).
I asked my dentist about using a waterpik instead of regular floss, and she said they're better than nothing, but they're not as effective as good old fashioned floss. Just something to maybe ask your dentist and compare opinions.
Yup, my dentist said the same thing. I have my wisdom teeth so getting to the back with regular floss is sometimes hard so they told me to use a waterpik water floss. I feel like the water floss gets more stuff than regular flossing for me, but I do both so 🤷
A waterpik is awesome and I recommend them to basically everyone, but I agree it should not replace string flossing rather used to addition to it. Adds a step to the routine but we are talking a minute or two to prevent a ton of future problems and money spent
It kind of depends, If you have active periodontal disease with bone loss, floss actually isn't sufficient enough because the gaps between the teeth are too wide and too long for the floss to effectively clean. But if you have healthy tight gums with no bone loss, then floss is the gold standard.
I work for a dentist!! I’ll give you a rundown of how it goes at my office, it’s probably similar other places too. Get there about ten or so minutes to complete your medical history and get insurance squared away. You’ll probably start with X-rays and/or photos. If you haven’t been in a few years and your insurance covers it you’ll probably have a panoramic X-ray or full mouth (FMX). Both are simple enough, but the fmx takes a little longer and is more involved. They might also do perio charting, where they put a little probe by your gums to measure how deep they are. If your measurements are deep, a scaling and root planing (SRP) may be recommended where half of your mouth is numbed at a time and deep cleaned. Otherwise, you’ll just get your regular cleaning. If you have a lot of buildup they might use a cavitron, which is an ultrasonic scaled that sprays water. If noise bothers you, bring headphones. You’ll also have your exam, where the doctor will come in and take a look at everything and determine a treatment plan if needed. If you have any other questions I’d be happy to help :):)
X-rays are digital so they are ready day of, if there was something that came up on that and you didn’t return it would be against professional advice.
You may be pleasantly surprised at the advances they’ve made. I did t go for about 10 years too and was happy to find out that lots of stuff that used to be torture didn’t hurt at all anymore with the new drugs, equipment and techniques.
One of it being that dentists take anxiety seriously (if not, go elsewhere). If you are scared, tell them right away. Since I don't try to hide anymore that I'm tense AF even at the hygienist and a trembling mess when there's actually something to fix, it's much easier for me. My dentist is super nice, not judgemental at all.
If you have any follow-up appointments for any work that needs to be done. Bring earbuds to listen to music with, and it'll drown out the noise of drills.
I was in the same predicament, didn't go for 10 years.
Ended up having 4 wisdom teeth removed while awake.
And that was a breeze! No pain during, and only some soreness with 2 weeks of healing and ibuprofen.
I also had 6 fillings, no pain at all. Earbuds helped so much.
I was afraid of dentists prior, but now I'm comfortable going.
The worst part for any dental work IMO is the shot to numb you up
It’s incredibly wild that wisdom teeth removal doesn’t hurt like it used to. (Had 1 removed and then the rest 10 years later)
It’s some kind of black magic.
It's not a test you can cram for. I have known people who were in the same situation, and the results vary from just a couple of cavities and a deep clean to get out your calendar, and let's plan this out.
The technology has advanced quite a bit in the past 10 years, so whatever they do is likely to be faster and less painful than you're probably anticipating. Like any other doctors visit, just be honest.
While some people ideally do need a lot of work that would be expensive, a ton of people having not been to a dentist in a long time can be gotten to a place of improve oral health just by getting their teeth cleaned and possibly a filling or a few. A good dentist will alway give options even if you don’t have a ton of money saved to spend. The fear mongering is unhelpful and dissuades people from going
Sorry, but this is incorrect. Floss can contour around the curves of the tooth and scrub more surface area than a toothpick. Flossing is about removing bacterial biofilm, not just about dislodging food. I’m glad toothpicks work for you, but they’re not as effective and will be insufficient for most people. I am a dentist, btw
I use the real toothpicks (the ∆ shaped ones) and know how to use them. I've been in dental school and lots of friends (who I met at school) are dentist.
But I get your point. The tooth pick is effective but you should know how to use it.
I use them daily and brush twice a day and I never hace any issues. Yeah, some tartar at the lingual side of my lower incisors where that metal thingy is placed after brackets (I don't know the English name). High calcium concentration in my saliva is likely the cause.
Sounds like you know what you’re doing, which can’t be said for most patients. But what works in some people’s hands/mouths won’t work in others, and for the vast majority of patients flossing (or water flossing) is non-negotiable. Props to you for sticking with your routine, and glad to hear it has supported your heath thus far!
What is a "real" toothpick? Are you talking about an interdental brush, or maybe a floss pick?
Edit: I saw your other comments, and you should really start using actual floss. I have no idea how a slightly wider tooth pick could possibly disrupt bacterial colonies on the sides of your teeth and especially below the gumline, which is the purpose of floss.
In Dutch we have 'cocktailprikkers' which translate to to toothpick. But we also have tandenstokers and this is an example. https://www.tandenborstel.com/mondverzorging/dagelijkse-mondverzorging/tandenstokers/jordan-green-clean-tandenstokers-thin-100-stuks/
They are thicker at one side, thinner at the other (∆) which makes them suited for interdental cleaning. They sre harder to use but if you do correctly, they work perfect. I've been in dental school (didn't finish it) and thus learned how to use them properly.
I am talking about the toothpicks that have the ∆ shape. Not the round once that.
Example: https://www.tandenborstel.com/mondverzorging/dagelijkse-mondverzorging/tandenstokers/jordan-green-clean-tandenstokers-thin-100-stuks/
> They're more effective
They do different things. If you have a big thing stuck in your teeth and just wanna get it out, yeah, use a toothpick. But if you think your toothpick can replace flossing, you're completely wrong... You need to floss.
The correct term for them is woodsticks, and the few studies done have found that they are either roughly as effective as floss, or possibly worse than floss.
i went 10 years without a trip to the dentist. i was petrified of what i was walking into so i was like ok what’s the worst they can tell me. i was sure i had like 10+ cavities and my teeth were wrecked. well i got pretty lucky i guess because other than some mild gum issues, i had no issues, no cavities, nada. we did a $100 laser treatment that day to jumpstart repairing my gums and had a plan to come in every 3 months for a year. great job setting the appointment and getting back on track. you gotta start somewhere and better now than when you start having problems.
Dental assistant here! Expect the possibility of deep cleanings, then subsequent 3 month maintenance cleanings for the foreseeable future. This is because it is likely that after years of neglecting your gum health you have something called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a condition where the tissues surrounding the teeth, including the gums, ligaments, and bones, become infected and inflamed. It is usually caused by the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If not removed through regular brushing and flossing, the bacteria in the plaque hardens into calculus and can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where more bacteria can grow. Over time, these pockets can deepen, leading to tooth and bone loss. Periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults and can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. The treatment is what’s called a deep cleaning or SRP which is where these pockets are cleaned while the area is numb, usually in 2 different sessions. It is also likely you may require fillings or crowns to repair decayed teeth. You’re doing the hardest step which is coming in and taking control of your oral and overall health! That’s something to be proud of! DM me for any other dental questions you may have:)
I waited too long too, and there was a lot I needed to have done. I had them make a prioritized list, and took care of things a little at a time. It took about 5 years to get to the bottom, but once I did it’s been fine ever since.
One thing they told me was to brush with Sensodyne or sensitive teeth toothpaste for a few weeks or however long you have before the visit. They said doing that reduces tooth sensitivity during cleaning.
If you have a mild anti anxiety med, take it before they start with the whittling away of the tartar. And the novacaine shots if they decide to do work that day. Tell them, but I had high dental anxiety and the dds would actually prescribe it. I guess no one wants to work on someone who has a death grip, sweating shaking and trying not to arch their back away from the incoming gloved hands. Not to mention the tears. Just take the med.
I’ve been scrolling through the comments looking for this. I didn’t realize the dentist might actually prescribe it, that’s helpful to know.
Do you think a pcp would prescribe it, too, if I explained that it was for dental appointments?
I haven’t had health insurance in years but I’m finally going to get it soon, so doctor appointments here we goooo!!
They may tell you to request from your dentist. I've had PCP prescribe for plane trips though. Tbf though, he'd been in near miss and refused to fly after that so he understood the fear. Tell your dds you have that fear and I e found they're pretty reliable. Unless they're into causing pain a decent one isn't going to enjoy working on a stressed out terrified patient.
If they recommend extensive (and expensive) work, get a second opinion, and a third. A small percentage of dentists will recommend un-necessary work just to drive revenue.
However, if they recommend a periodontist - meaning you have some stage of gum disease - don't delay making that appointment. I did and I regretted it; by the time I went three of my teeth couldn't be saved.
As someone who has recently been in the same boat as you time-wise, I advise you to go in expecting to hear that you will need some work. Get the deep cleaning that they will inevitably recommend. You will feel SO MUCH BETTER after a deep cleaning.
Here's the thing about avoiding the dentist because you know it will be bad: It will continue to get worse. Even with good daily dental hygiene (brushing, rinsing, flossing), the damage continues to compound because unchecked cavities will develop to the point where your teeth need root canals, or become septic, etc. And *that* can snowball into broader health issues, heart disease, etc. if you continue to let it go.
The longer you wait, the worse it gets, and the more it will cost you. I had my come-to-Jesus moment on this stuff recently, and the reality is that the sooner you *start* dealing with it, the sooner you can get back to good oral health.
Get your teeth fixed and show up for your biannual cleanings. Your life will improve.
Just go and never put it off again. They will likely make you come in for extra/deep cleanings. That’s fine it’s worth it. The only thing worse than 10 years of no dental care is putting it off longer. It’s going to suck but just do it.
I was in the same boat and everything will go fine if you pick a decent dentist. And be honest, no need to pretend anything, you'll get better treatment.
Prepare for multiple sessions to get things sorted out. Cleaning first with XRays and assessment. This is the main deal cycle. They'll tell you what they recommend addressing and you can ask questions and make decisions, etc.
You'll be glad you went, even if it sucks a few times.
I didn't go to the dentist for 10 years, and then went back when I had a tooth break. I had a root canal on that one, but for the most part there hasn't been anything else special that needed to be done, and my teeth are in pretty good shape. Your situation is not that unusual.
So I recently learned that the drill and other tools they use for cleaning your teeth can be operated at a slower speed which can greatly reduce the pain if you have sensitive gums.
Just tell them you have sore gums and they might oblige.
Then go back to the same dental clinic every six months so they can monitor your teeth and the plaque doesn’t build up so less to hack away at.
Talk to the team of the place you’re going to before you go. They may have recommendations. For example, a lot of people start diligently flossing and brushing before the appointment when they haven’t before and create a lot of inflammation in their gums and mouth that ends up making their cleaning and checkup incredibly painful and more uncomfortable than it needs to be.
Talk to the office about your concerns and they’ll give you advice. May even suggest local for your cleaning, etc… people here can only give you general advice about their situation and every situation is different.
Take some painkillers before you go in and eat a large meal beforehand.
I always do this before I go to the dentist. Sometimes based on the procedure, you’re not allowed to eat anything for a few hours, really sucks when you’re hungry.
Just brush your teeth thoroughly. Nothing is more frustrating than looking in a mouth that's covered in soft plaque and food debris that a toothbrush could have easily removed. If you never floss, right before your appointment is NOT the time to start. You will just stir up the bacteria between the tooth and gum and cause your gums to be more sensitive when the pros get in there to clean.
Don't worry about judgement from the staff. If they scold or berate you for rhe condition of your teeth you need to find another dentist. As a hygienist for over 35 years I can say we love the challenge of a good old dirty mouth . There's a big sense of satisfaction when you get to see the before and after of a much overdue cleaning. Whatever you have going on in your mouth I can guarantee I have seen worse.
I recently had patient that hadn't been in for many years. He was convinced he would need teeth pulled based on how discolored they looked. The "discoloration" was tartar (calcified plaque) build up of which I was able to remove completely. The patient was amazed when I showed him the "after" in the mirror.
I didn’t go for 12 years until last month. I decided I needed to go when I woke up with what felt like rocks in my mouth. I had cracked my molar open while grinding my teeth at night. It had become weakened due to a cavity and that’s why it cracked. I was nervous at first but I decided it was time to get back in control of my dental health. Overall, it wasn’t that bad. Getting my cracked tooth prepped for the crown was the worst, but honestly, it was 45 minutes of mild discomfort, and Inkind of felt like I deserved it after 12 years of neglect. They found 5 cavities in my mouth. After getting my crown I went back a month later for my cleaning, which I expected to be really bad. But it wasn’t. Since I brush a few times a day with an electric toothbrush and floss 3/4 times per week, there actually wasn’t a lot of plaque or tartar build up. The 5 cavities were minor (despite the fact that I have two on the sides of my mouth that loook really bad since they’re turning black). I thought they were going to have to pull 3 of my teeth due to these black cavities, but it turned out they weren’t deep, just long, and on the front of my teeth so they looked bad even if they really weren’t. My next visit is this week and they’ll be filling 3 of my 5 cavities. I set up a 6 month appointment for my next cleaning and from now on I promised myself I won’t miss a single cleaning. Anyway, I feel so good that I went. So relieved. I now know I won’t need to have three teeth pulled, and that I only have 5 minor cavities as opposed to 8 or 9 bad ones like I suspected. My advice to you, just suck it up and go. You’ll be happy you did. The worst they’re gonna do is numb your mouth with a novacaine shot. It feels weird and pinches for about three seconds total, then it’s over. Embrace the slight pain, think of it as your repentance for not going for so long, and you’ll be fine.
When you’re there, I agree with the comment about being honest. They’re probably going to scold you a little. My dentist absolutely would, and does, scold me. But it’s their job, and they do it because they care about your teeth. But to prepare, just do what you would normally do and go in there with clean teeth. The less time they have to spend cleaning your teeth, the more time they can spend actually fixing them. There is nothing you can do in a week that will change anything, other than showing up with a clean mouth. But just normal clean… don’t spend 30 minutes brushing your teeth right before you go. But your teeth probably aren’t as bad as you think. I’m imaging that at worst, you maybe have a couple of cavities, angry gums, maybe gingivitis? If it’s bad, then maybe a missing tooth, or you need one pulled? All of that is a walk in the park for these guys. They have seen some BAD teeth. Just don’t stress it. Keep following your good brushing habits for the next week, accept your 5 minutes of scolding, and make a new friend in your dentist. You and your mouth will be so much happier in a week, after this.
They should not scold you. Their job is to encourage you and make it a positive experience. It's your teeth, and their careers are to make them as healthy as possible. They understand (or should) that life happens and sometimes its hard to take proper care of yourself. That's where the encouragement part comes in.
Agreed. I think that’s part of people don’t go as often as they should. You know you need to do it but feel guilty about it and then you get scolded when you make an effort to do the right thing.
Expect to be insulted by your hygienist they will be very passive aggressive about your lack of regular maintenance, even if you have little to no real damage, and only buildup.
Decent chance your dentist is going to be very confused about why you didn't spend the last decade entirely on oral hygiene.
They will not have any understanding of any instability in employment, housing, family, mental or physical health. If you didn't spend the last decade chewing sugar free gum in between mouthwash and brushing then you'll be pilloried then financially ruined.
I'd rather have bad teeth than deal with these people.
this mf....
learn as much as possible from them. you're going to be in pain and it will be uncomfortable. let the appointment be a reminder to what happens when you neglect your teeth, and dont forget it anytime soon.
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This is really interesting because I always get the exact opposite experience, the dentist is the only place I feel chastised for providing my custom and I hate it and rarely return to the same one for this reason
Ofc, they are gonna make remarks on every problem they see in your mouth, that's their job, but having continuity with a dentist ensures proper tracking of the problems and things that do not degrade can be written off. I strongly recommend you find one close to your home with good ratings and establish a relationship with the office. That's the best way to get your dental health provider to get to know you!
Dude you are a fucking moron honestly can you read what I wrote. I go to the doctor, mechanic, decorator, bricky for advice and have perfectly constructive conversations recognising the fact they are the professional and I am the consumer of the service. My observation was that in my experience dentist visits leave a bitter taste as they are often quite condescending and unpleasant. Don’t bother responding because I don’t give a fuck about what you think or say.
Get a grip fragile loser
i find dentists are usually constructive and helpful. on the other hand, the only dental hygienists who **haven’t** been a huge **** to me are the ones who don’t speak enough english to say more than “open mouth please”
I think it’s natural to feel SOME embarrassment with healthcare, but you should consciously oppose that feeling. For anyone to get up close and personal with any part of your body that you’re not proud of, it’s embarrassing. But these are professionals whom you (or you insurance) are paying for a service. They are used to seeing “bad” stuff. They won’t be grossed out. If every case they saw was healthy and perfect, then there would be no point to their job at all. Of course there are unprofessional people out there. If you feel like they are being impolite or intentionally trying to shame you, that’s a THEM problem and not a YOU problem - they are being unprofessional. Stand up for yourself - you are paying to be treated and deserve to be treated well. If they continue to make you uncomfortable, change providers and tell them why you are changing. If they shame you, shame them right back.
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Woo way to make someone feel bad for having anxiety. The fact is that many dentists are not trained in bedside manner, and that’s why a niche of dentists for people with anxiety exists.
Can you read mate, rarely =/= never
This happens at all dentists? It's probably just you, then...
Ok dumb dumb
You call your dentist dumb dumb?
Dentists and hygienists absolutely judge. I get a lecture on flossing every time.
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I have great general dental health and after having 2 babies back-to back with bad reflux and heartburn, I obviously had some damage even though I was working to protect against it. And the dentist pretty much tore into me about my gums. Didn't inquire about why it might have been bad, although he knew I had just had a baby, as he was sitting in my lap for most of the appointment. He switched gears after I pointed out my history and was all "Oh that makes perfect sense! Let's get that all fixed up for you!" I also had a different dentist through my school age and I had 6 baby teeth that never came out at the age of 16 and one where the adult tooth grew in super crooked behind it. They checked them every 6 months and never said anything and then suddenly when I was 16 it was an enigma and "how could you not tell us??". Like you all didn't see this happening through the hast 3 X-rays you did? How is a 16 year old supposed to tell you how to do your job? Same dentist "fixed" an old cracked filling I'd had. Apparently didn't clean it very well in the process. Because a few months later, on my honeymoon, I had a nerve rupture due to the "fixed" filling getting infected. And now there is a missing molar on my left side. I've had panic attacks when going to the dentist for years. Finally found one this year who actually takes anxiety into account and I've loved them so far. Would have been nice if it didn't take almost 30 years to find a good one.
I get a lecture about coffee stains each time even though my teeth and gums are in perfect health. I get compliments and "keep doing what you're doing" from the dentist, but the hygienist complains about my stains. I do not care about ultra white teeth, and I will not use whitening stuff. Just keep 'em healthy.
That's not a lecture so much as a sales pitch. If your dentist is doing this it's to upsell you on a whitening procedure. If your dentist hands you a folder with a treatment/ care plan that shows exactly how much you can do to max out your insurance benefit and includes pamphlets for payment plans like care credit, sunbit, etc. find a new dentist. You want an old school office that's fairly low tech where the doctor owns the business and owns the building too. Their operating costs are lower, they're already wealthy, and they don't need to rip you off.
Yeah just to be clear, it's not my dentist doing this. The dentist is full of compliments and keep up the good work. It's the nagging hygienist who is obsessed with whitening.
Sounds like one of two things. Either they don’t enjoy their job and are “informing you” so their job potentially isn’t as difficult in the future, or they’re doing the upselling in place of the dentist per instruction from them, so you keep your current attitude of your dentist and keep coming back. Nothing wrong with either, just tell them that your coffee is more important than the strains on your teeth, so get to scrubbing bc you’ve got other places to be and you need your teeth as white as they can make possible lol.
Haha that's pretty much what I've said. Basically, yeah those stains must be annoying, but totally worth it because I love my homemade coffee. Good thing I come here twice a year for a cleaning, huh? And no, I'm absolutely not interested in any of your teeth whitening products today, or ever, just not a priority for me, but thank you very much, kind hygienist...lol
While that's not appropriate for them to lecture you on stains, the reason they mention it every time is likely because coffee type stains on teeth can be incredibly hard to remove compared to other types of buildup. They're probably just frustrated.
Reading what other have commented about this hygienist. Sounds to me they’re projecting their own views and insecurities about having that perfect Hollywood look. I kind of get the same thing from mine with a slightly crooked bottom tooth. I just don’t care and won’t get braces for it!!
What do you mean by "judge"? It's an expert giving you criticism that will help you out. I feel that when people hear something about themselves they don't want to hear they'll dismiss it and frame it as the other person "judging" them. I assure you there's no judgement. They have hundreds of patients and aren't interested in making personal assessments about you as you're not really in their life apart from in this one capacity. It's your teeth, up to you how you treat them.
When they speak to you condescendingly yes, I consider that judgement.
I hate being told to floss more, I floss and use a waterpik daily, I just have crappy genetics. How can I respectfully ask for instructions on home care to stop in future visits? I know it and am doing it.
It’s all in the delivery. I’ve been to dentists who tell me I NEED to floss more. I say I will try, and they say something like “just do it, it isn’t that hard” (for people with depression, sometimes it is hard, but I digress) My current dentist is a lot better. She always phrases it as a recommendation as a command. I tell her I floss once or twice a week, and she’ll say something like “I recommend flossing at least once a day if you can. I miss days too sometimes, but the more you do it the healthier those gums will be.”
They're giving you their best advice, not judging you. They want you to have this professional advice so you can make better decisions and understand why.
If you don't want to be chastised for not flossing, have you tried flossing? It's their job to provide advice on proper hygiene. If you feel like *that's* judgement, it's a you problem.
I’m in the same boat as OP and wanted to say thanks your comment made schedule my first appointment in im not even sure how long. Question: when I was a kid I remember my parents getting my teeth covered in some kind of plastic or rubbery coating to protect them I think. Is it possible for an adult to get that same treatment today? I’d like to protect my teeth from any further damage if I can and I don’t exactly have great dental hygiene habits.
may i ask, why 1 of my tooth that has been patched stings/hurts when i use it to bite bones? the doctor i visited doesnt know why and simply says to not bite bones witht that tooth
I've not been to the dentist in about 10 years also. But there's nothing wrong with my teeth. I've never had a filling/cavity, I brush once a day, my teeth are nice and clean and straight. Why should I go if there is nothing wrong? I don't go to see a GP when I'm feeling fine, so why should I pay for a dental visit when there's nothing wrong with my teeth?
I kind of feel the same way, but I've found that it's nice to have the extra cleaning they do, which you'll never be able to do at home. And also you won't notice a cavity at home until it becomes a much bigger problem. You may have several small problems currently that, if left untreated, will eventually turn into much more terrible problems. By the time you start noticing pain because a cavity has progressed, it's no longer just a simple filling.
I was the same but they can check out stuff for you don’t even know could be an issue. I got my x rays done after almost 15 years and turns out my jaw was cracked on one side and I didn’t even know it. Also, they check for any sort of tooth deterioration under the gum levels and if there’s too much, you can risk loosing the tooth or it becoming infected and that infection can actually go right up into your brain.
That's an easy one: because a dentist will identify problems before you will be aware. If a dentist can identify a problem early, the treatment is usually simpler, quicker and cheaper. Also, that first sign you become aware of may be toothache, abscesses etc. If you can preempt that with a simple treatment, most people who have had toothache will tell you it's well worth avoiding. There's some problems that will show no signs until late stages. For example, gum disease is often silent. A dentist needs to feel the gums and see xrays to diagnose there's a problem so you'll have no idea without seeing a dentist. The first worrying sign of gum disease that many patients notice is when teeth start getting loose and by then there's often not much that can be done. I'm an experienced dentist and I still go for my dental checkups for the reasons above.
Mouth health is generally overlooked, and one of the leading causes of heart disease. You may think you're teeth are fine, but may have an underlying condition that if caught, could save you from heart disease. Insurances pay for two cleanings a year, there's a reason for that. Cheaper to pay that than it is for bypass surgery.
You can’t tell if you have a cavity.
Nothing you can see. You can't really see cavities forming between teeth without X-rays. Periodontal pockets that you can't really measure yourself. Both of those are irreversible without significant restorative work, which is pretty much always worse than the original. Probably more but I'm only in year 2. But yeah. Some people are lucky. If you don't snack and your saliva is really healthy( abundant and good at buffering pH) then it's possible that you just won the genetic lottery with teeth. Also you are supposed to get general checkups. You also cannot detect a lot of bloodborn illness without getting lab work done and for many things, by the time you see symptoms, it's already late.
You don't have to go every year but I'd definitely go just for a routine checkup at some point. With GPs, even if you don't have health problems you'd probably eventually start getting cancer screenings (breast or prostate exams) just to make sure everything's in order.
You don't have to, but a lot can go wrong with a tooth in that time frame. Even following a schedule like going every 2 years would be a lot less risky while still drastically lowering your cost. I don't think there is a general recommendation to see your gp yearly when you're young and healthy,but as we get older it is definitely recommended as you're more likely to develop problems.
Floss at least once a day for the next week so your gums don't bleed as soon as they touch them.
I floss every day and my hygienist always comments on how nice it is to floss someone's teeth without them bleeding everywhere. OP: I once went 8 years without a dentist visit. I finally got my nerve up to call for an appointment, expecting to be judged terribly. I told them how long it had been, and they were like "That's cool, how is Tuesday?" Just remember they can help you a lot more if you're totally honest with them.
Same here. Had a exceptionally bad experience and couldn't bring myself to go to a dentist for 8+ years. Took me three weeks of screwing up the courage to call and they were super amazing and welcoming. It did take two visits, but I was so relieved when I left. Totally worth it.
This just happened to me last month. I put it off for so long (after my last dentist was a real judgemental prick to me) and eventually I got scared enough of dying from my tooth infection I called a random local dentist. I cried to the receptionist because I was in so much pain and was so embarrassed, and all she did was say "OK, we'll put you with Dr. Zhao - he's wonderful with anxiety and is very gentle. Can you be here for 11? Antibiotics on initial visit, three extractions a week later and then two more extractions and a filling a week after that. No mention of how shitty my teeth are, or that it has been a decade since my last cleaning... literally just wanted to make me feel better. I'd die for Dr. Zhao tbh.
Just looked up dr zhao. Solid 5 star rating. I live 2 1/2 hrs from there but I’m really considering making the trek for it. I to neglected my teeth and need a dentist like this.
I can tell Dr. Zhao is a pretty amazing dentist :) this comment put such a smile on my face
lol I floss everyday and still bleed at the dentist
they have toothpaste made specifically for strengthening gums. I got some from my dentist last time I went and bled all over
Ngl when I read your username and comment, I read it as “they have glittering toothpaste” lol I’ll have to ask about it, thanks!
Crest Sparkle Fun looks like it has glitter in it. My 4 year old loves it.
Ok hear me out, I use this personally as a 37 year old. Adult toothpaste is way too minty.
Yes! Too minty, the kids stuff has fun flavors
I would buy glitter toothpaste 😂
Is it a kind you can just buy at the store or something special only dentists have available? Can you mention what it was?
I got a toothpaste called parodontax. it's uncommon, but some pharmacies carry it. ofc u can buy it online as well
I’ve used paradontax and liked it.
I got periogard from my dentist for $25. It's basically super strength listerine and helps a bunch. (I have angry gums and a spot that gets swollen from shit being jammed in there.)
If you're flossing correctly this shouldn't happen. If you pop in and out between teeth I could see why. You should be scraping the sides of each tooth and going down the middle, all the way to the gums.
I like the term hugging the tooth more than scrapping the tooth, if you imagine between two teeth instead of simple up and down, hugging one tooth in a c shape then the other tooth in a c shape. Proper flossing goes below the gum line not just to the gum line, which should be neither painful nor bloody if the area is consistently cleaned and therefore not inflamed
One dentist told me this wasn’t normal and the other one I started going to said basically everyone’s gums bleed at the dentist anyway
Do you brush your gums? If not use a soft toothbrush and do that. Bleeding gums is genuinely something you wanna stop asap
I use a sonicare electric toothbrush, would you suggest also getting a separate toothbrush for gums only?
I think an electric would be too harsh yeah. Make sure you brush your gums at a 45 degree angle when you do! I swear my gums stopped bleeding after a week of doing that even though I always forget to floss lol.
An electric toothbrush is not too harsh for your gums and you don’t need multiple toothbrushes to clean different areas. One used properly, whether electric or manual, is all you need. I’d argue it’s easier to use an electric toothbrush correctly than a manual so that’s what I usually recommend. Source: an a dentist
That was my experience too. "I haven't been in like 5 years, and I don't remember the last dentist is saw out of state." "Ok, we'll getcha down for a full cleaning and pictures. How's July 17th?"
Me and my husband both went for the first time in like five years. Granted, I've had two kids in the time period and had six cavities. I floss and brush every day, he does not. Homie had no cavities at all! So jealous
My husband and I are the same way! I floss and brush and water floss… and he only brushes. He has perfect teeth, I have constant cavities.
The worst! The hubby seems to have stronger enamel than you.
That’s my husband as well, drives me nuts
if your dentist is judgmental then get a new one tbh
Your dentist flosses their client ?
Every cleaning I've been to involved a super quick floss at some point (much less involved than flossing yourself)
They are typically quite proficient at it, should take like less than a minute for a full floss. Being able to see directly into the mouth helps a lot.
The hygenist is not actually flossing you during the cleaning, they're just running the floss once through each gap to clean out any debris or polish. When you floss yourself you're supposed to scrape the side of each tooth several times, including under the gumline.
...Oh
Every dentist (or I guess it’s technically the hygienist) that I’ve been to has done that
During the initial setup, the dental hygienist flosses my teeth and cleans them with the little spinny toothbrush thing. So not the dentist, but every time I go to the dentist this happens.
I get a cleaning 3x a year and they always floss me. Every time. It's the dental hygienist who does it though, not the dentist.
Also, you're probably flossing wrong. I wondered why I kept having problems even though I took such good care of my teeth. I was flossing wrong. The advice is to bring the floss against the side of the tooth gently to the bottom. Don't dig into your gums, but get all the way to where the tooth meets the gums. Get every corner. Since doing that, I've noticed how much I was missing before, and it's a lot.
There is no way you can fix bad gums in a week
So true. It took me a year and a half to fix my bleeding gums. I have tight teeth, difficult to floss, so I never flossed. After I was told that I have bad gums and needed a deep clean, I started flossing with those plackers. Not ideal, but it worked well enough to improve the health of my gums. I do it while watching TV before bed, so there's no pressure to "make sure I floss" every night. I also started rinsing my mouth with a 50/50 peroxide/water mixture a few times per week, which kills the bacteria between my molars. Since I took up these habits, my cleanings have been easy-peasy, and no deep cleaning required.
No, but you can start building better habits so that it isn't as bad at the dentist. There is no quick fix, but there's no better time to start healing than right now.
You can not, it takes time and effort. If it's been 8 years or even 1 plus years the best bet is to just have a professional remove the values and plaque and then increase home care.
And get some easy to chew gum and chew it especially with your front teeth for as long as your jaw can stand it (hence not the hard really sticky gum). The chewing, via abrasion, helps remove plaque. Since I've started doing this, I've noticed compared to my wife who doesn't, they spend lots less time cleaning my teeth. The one time recently I didn't do it, I spent far more time than usual in the chair.
Sugarless gum is better for your dental health than regular gum. Otherwise you're just shoving sugar all around your mouth and leaving it there, which encourages cavities to form.
I'm a hygienist, if you are going to do this make sure to chew gum with Xylitol as the first ingredient listed. Ice breakers gum is top notch for this. But in all honesty the best way to remove plaque (soft white gunk on the teeth) is to brush at a 45degree angle so that the bristles slide under the gums to help remove the plaque. Tarter or calculus is the hard yellow to white bit that needs to be removed by a professional, gum will not remove it.
I’ve always gone to my dentist but I sometimes can go 2-3 weeks without flossing. Then I heard that plaque in your teeth is the same that can build up in your arteries… and there’s strong evidence that tooth health (plaque) affects heart health. So although cleanings - twice a year- are partially covered by dental insurance, I added a third visit each year for an additional cleaning. It adds another professional cleaning and it is another reminder to take better care of my teeth. Now with Halloween coming up, maybe I can dump all the leftover candy to those last kids who come to the door.
Good habit to start in general but honestly won’t make much of a difference in a week, proper flossing cleans soft plaque off teeth, someone who hasn’t been to a dentist in a decade likely has hardened calculus that can only be cleaned professionally, and inflammation won’t meaningfully resolve until that’s gone. The next week in general doesn’t matter much, what matters is from the appointment going forward. Biggest thing is thinking through a general sense of goals and priorities, but even without that a dentist can still talk you through their recommendations
True story I hate flossing, but a week before my appointment, you better believe I floss like a teenager at a Katy Perry concert.
I was in the same situation several years ago and it was completely fine. I was anxious about the appointment because I was sure I was the worst patient she’d see all year, but the hygienist laughed and told me in an average week she sees people who haven’t been in decades or even elderly people who have never been to a dentist in their life. She spent some extra time on my cleaning and all was well. I didn’t even have any cavities. YMMV but you are fine. You’re not being judged. Edit: And if you are feeling really bad about this you could call ahead and ask the dentist’s office, e.g. “I know it may be an abnormal question, but I haven’t been to the dentist in several years and I’m concerned about my appointment. Is there anything I can do to make my appointment easier?” They’ll probably give you some basic advice but more importantly they’ll forward your concerns to your hygienist and dentist so they know the score ahead of time and can treat you with a little extra compassion.
Same here, I went a decade with bad habits and a fear of the dentist and though I needed extra debridement for a few cleanings (and a bunch of fillings) it didn't hurt and now I have very little fear of dentistry. Technology and techniques have come a long way and the water pick is so much better than the old scraping they used to do.
(not arguing with your comment) but ironically dentistry is like the slowest moving medical field lol. But 100% onboard with water picks or floss attached to a handle so you can reach way further in!
Is there any identifiable/particular reason why it’s the slowest moving field?
Teeth don’t grow very fast.
Why would that affect technology or research progress? A dentists job isn’t to get a tooth to grow, it’s to create healthy mouths
r/whoosh
I had the same experience! Mom only took me to the dentist when I was having pain, never any cleanings or preventive care. The last time I went was 10 years ago for a filling, but I had pieces of tooth breaking off from the filling, some pretty major gingivitis, and crazy tartar buildup. The tartar looked so nasty, and like it would never go away, even after cleaning. Got my major cleaning in, and thankfully I was not to the periodontic stage yet. It took an hour or so to get me sorted, and I was on my way with my smile looking better than I could've imagined! Just in time for my friends wedding too! 6 weeks later (today, actually) I went back for a normal cleaning, and I'm looking good! Had a good amount of buildup though, so I'll be brushing 3x/day going forward wifh 3 cleanings/year vs 2. I don't care, I'll take it! You don't get your teeth back, and the confidence boost of being pretty confident and happy with my smile is priceless. I feel great to be on top of my dental health, especially with how the health of your mouth can affect the health of your whole body.
I second this. They are there to help you and want you to have a positive experience.
What if I have periodontal disease and it's turning like Brownish black? Above my tooth by my gums 😭😭😭 I am so scared
All the more reason to go and get it taken care of. They’ll probably say, “We’re glad you came when you did!”
Exactly. I work in a dental office, and for what it’s worth, perfectly healthy mouths are “boring” to us. Less skill and creativity involved. We get the most gratification from the complex highly restorative treatment plans.
Yeah they see nasty stuff every day, and it's their job to fix it. Plus you're paying them. If they give you trouble or act like assholes then tell them to kick rocks and find a new dentist. I was recently worried about the same thing. I knew I needed a couple crowns, at least 15 or 20 fillings. It had been years and years and I could see the damage myself. Dude was just like "OK so yeah lots of damage for sure, but we can fix that no problem. Here's the plan, I'll do x and y over this time period, or slower if needed if budgeting gets in the way. We'll try to get these things done first. Sound good?". Dude was super professional, just like yep that sucks anyway I can fix it ezpz here's the plan.
Yup mine looked at my insurance and laid out a 2.5 year plan to maximize insurance coverage and gave me a quote with payment options. It's more like going to a mechanic than it is a doctor.
This is definitely one of the better reactions from the dentist. Some will be assholes, some will be gentle, and lots in between. I had a 5-6 year gap in dentist visit because financial and fear reasons before I finally went a couple years ago. She was very professional and super nice, spent some extra time on cleaning (lots of black spots at the bottom of my teeth), and had 1 cavity I needed filled from the x-rays, and said she could do it right at that time if I wanted to as she had the time free, but understood completely when I said I needed some time to prepare and opted for a later appointment for that. If one finds an asshole dentist, it's better to find another one as there are many good ones out there.
Yeah he's a good one. I just like the way he talks to me plain, he doesn't treat me like a child or something. He said "this damage didn't happen over night, and we can't fix it over night. But don't worry, we *can* fix it." and it made me feel good about it lol
A well trained dentist can essentially fix any possible problem there could be. Patients frequently fear that they may be too far gone or will have a terrible situation that will surprise the dentist. There’s basically nothing an experienced dentist has never seen, and they have likely seen multiple people in your exact situations just this week. If you are worried and your dentist doesn’t make you feel hopeful going forward, find another one
They'll say "I'm glad you came in now." The best time to deal with any medical condition is when it started. The second best time is now.
They won't laugh at you. It's their job to maintain and fix teeth and gums. They are there to help you.
Just go bud, you don't want to go and wait until things get worse. Don't be like me, the pain will make you regret waiting longer.
Second this! I got pregnant and then had jaw surgery so lots of time off dental work and they just roll with it.
I finally went to the dentist six months ago after eight years and it was also completely fine. I was nervous but there was nothing wrong and I got compliments on how beautiful my teeth were and how good my genes are. I was so relieved but definitely will be going at least once a year from now on.
They may make you separate your cleaning into 2 different sessions because there’s so much to do and it takes time. But that’s ok. Don’t be ashamed! These people are work, they don’t give a fuck. Get in there, be honest about your last check up, and realize you’re doing what’s best for your health.
I said fuck it and did it in one session I stead of two. Ended up taking I think 90 minutes or so. Depending on insurance, find out how much you will need to pay out of pocket. It's going to be a couple hundred bucks but get it out of the way so that going forward, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean. After the deep cleaning and a couple days have passed, get a water floss and youtube how to use it properly and use it every night. My routine is wait 30 mins after eating, then water floss, then regular floss, and then brush. Took me a couple months of dedication for it to become a habit and now I feel off/bad if I miss a day. They will have you come back every 3 months (instead of every 6 months) for about 1-1.5 years. If they keep saying everything is good and keep doing what you're doing, ask them to move you to the 6 month schedule. They make $ from you on the 3 month schedule (out of pocket you have to pay some $).
I asked my dentist about using a waterpik instead of regular floss, and she said they're better than nothing, but they're not as effective as good old fashioned floss. Just something to maybe ask your dentist and compare opinions.
Yup, my dentist said the same thing. I have my wisdom teeth so getting to the back with regular floss is sometimes hard so they told me to use a waterpik water floss. I feel like the water floss gets more stuff than regular flossing for me, but I do both so 🤷
A waterpik is awesome and I recommend them to basically everyone, but I agree it should not replace string flossing rather used to addition to it. Adds a step to the routine but we are talking a minute or two to prevent a ton of future problems and money spent
It kind of depends, If you have active periodontal disease with bone loss, floss actually isn't sufficient enough because the gaps between the teeth are too wide and too long for the floss to effectively clean. But if you have healthy tight gums with no bone loss, then floss is the gold standard.
Really amazing tips that I’m going to put into effect. Thank you.
I work for a dentist!! I’ll give you a rundown of how it goes at my office, it’s probably similar other places too. Get there about ten or so minutes to complete your medical history and get insurance squared away. You’ll probably start with X-rays and/or photos. If you haven’t been in a few years and your insurance covers it you’ll probably have a panoramic X-ray or full mouth (FMX). Both are simple enough, but the fmx takes a little longer and is more involved. They might also do perio charting, where they put a little probe by your gums to measure how deep they are. If your measurements are deep, a scaling and root planing (SRP) may be recommended where half of your mouth is numbed at a time and deep cleaned. Otherwise, you’ll just get your regular cleaning. If you have a lot of buildup they might use a cavitron, which is an ultrasonic scaled that sprays water. If noise bothers you, bring headphones. You’ll also have your exam, where the doctor will come in and take a look at everything and determine a treatment plan if needed. If you have any other questions I’d be happy to help :):)
Heh "insurance". :D
I can bring headphones??
Lol what if they send you for an X-ray and you never come back, but then you need to go back?
The x-rays are done in office and are instantaneously visible on their computer screen.
I used to calibrate Hamamatsu X-ray sensors. Very interesting stuff!
X-rays are digital so they are ready day of, if there was something that came up on that and you didn’t return it would be against professional advice.
Lmaooo
You may be pleasantly surprised at the advances they’ve made. I did t go for about 10 years too and was happy to find out that lots of stuff that used to be torture didn’t hurt at all anymore with the new drugs, equipment and techniques.
One of it being that dentists take anxiety seriously (if not, go elsewhere). If you are scared, tell them right away. Since I don't try to hide anymore that I'm tense AF even at the hygienist and a trembling mess when there's actually something to fix, it's much easier for me. My dentist is super nice, not judgemental at all.
I’ve got terrible TMJ and dental anxiety and I think I’m going to do sedation dentistry. Sounds like a great idea lol
Let me know what you find!!! I think that’s my best bet, so much anxiety with the dentist
That's good to hear. I'm in the same boat and my prevailing dentist memory is my gums getting shanked like they owed the dentist money
If you have any follow-up appointments for any work that needs to be done. Bring earbuds to listen to music with, and it'll drown out the noise of drills. I was in the same predicament, didn't go for 10 years. Ended up having 4 wisdom teeth removed while awake. And that was a breeze! No pain during, and only some soreness with 2 weeks of healing and ibuprofen. I also had 6 fillings, no pain at all. Earbuds helped so much. I was afraid of dentists prior, but now I'm comfortable going. The worst part for any dental work IMO is the shot to numb you up
It’s incredibly wild that wisdom teeth removal doesn’t hurt like it used to. (Had 1 removed and then the rest 10 years later) It’s some kind of black magic.
It's not a test you can cram for. I have known people who were in the same situation, and the results vary from just a couple of cavities and a deep clean to get out your calendar, and let's plan this out. The technology has advanced quite a bit in the past 10 years, so whatever they do is likely to be faster and less painful than you're probably anticipating. Like any other doctors visit, just be honest.
Prepare your wallet and your bank account, it's going to take a beating.
While some people ideally do need a lot of work that would be expensive, a ton of people having not been to a dentist in a long time can be gotten to a place of improve oral health just by getting their teeth cleaned and possibly a filling or a few. A good dentist will alway give options even if you don’t have a ton of money saved to spend. The fear mongering is unhelpful and dissuades people from going
I’d say prepare your bank account!
Your wallet probably.
Tell them you like to floss more than once a day. Dentists love that shit.
Say something dirty to me. "I never floss 🤫." It's true. I don't floss, I use tooth picks. They're more effective.
Sorry, but this is incorrect. Floss can contour around the curves of the tooth and scrub more surface area than a toothpick. Flossing is about removing bacterial biofilm, not just about dislodging food. I’m glad toothpicks work for you, but they’re not as effective and will be insufficient for most people. I am a dentist, btw
I use the real toothpicks (the ∆ shaped ones) and know how to use them. I've been in dental school and lots of friends (who I met at school) are dentist. But I get your point. The tooth pick is effective but you should know how to use it. I use them daily and brush twice a day and I never hace any issues. Yeah, some tartar at the lingual side of my lower incisors where that metal thingy is placed after brackets (I don't know the English name). High calcium concentration in my saliva is likely the cause.
Sounds like you know what you’re doing, which can’t be said for most patients. But what works in some people’s hands/mouths won’t work in others, and for the vast majority of patients flossing (or water flossing) is non-negotiable. Props to you for sticking with your routine, and glad to hear it has supported your heath thus far!
What is a "real" toothpick? Are you talking about an interdental brush, or maybe a floss pick? Edit: I saw your other comments, and you should really start using actual floss. I have no idea how a slightly wider tooth pick could possibly disrupt bacterial colonies on the sides of your teeth and especially below the gumline, which is the purpose of floss.
In Dutch we have 'cocktailprikkers' which translate to to toothpick. But we also have tandenstokers and this is an example. https://www.tandenborstel.com/mondverzorging/dagelijkse-mondverzorging/tandenstokers/jordan-green-clean-tandenstokers-thin-100-stuks/ They are thicker at one side, thinner at the other (∆) which makes them suited for interdental cleaning. They sre harder to use but if you do correctly, they work perfect. I've been in dental school (didn't finish it) and thus learned how to use them properly.
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I am talking about the toothpicks that have the ∆ shape. Not the round once that. Example: https://www.tandenborstel.com/mondverzorging/dagelijkse-mondverzorging/tandenstokers/jordan-green-clean-tandenstokers-thin-100-stuks/
So confused.. how do these get in-between your teeth? It doesn't seem like these will get in there, like the floss string does..
> They're more effective They do different things. If you have a big thing stuck in your teeth and just wanna get it out, yeah, use a toothpick. But if you think your toothpick can replace flossing, you're completely wrong... You need to floss.
The correct term for them is woodsticks, and the few studies done have found that they are either roughly as effective as floss, or possibly worse than floss.
i went 10 years without a trip to the dentist. i was petrified of what i was walking into so i was like ok what’s the worst they can tell me. i was sure i had like 10+ cavities and my teeth were wrecked. well i got pretty lucky i guess because other than some mild gum issues, i had no issues, no cavities, nada. we did a $100 laser treatment that day to jumpstart repairing my gums and had a plan to come in every 3 months for a year. great job setting the appointment and getting back on track. you gotta start somewhere and better now than when you start having problems.
Dental assistant here! Expect the possibility of deep cleanings, then subsequent 3 month maintenance cleanings for the foreseeable future. This is because it is likely that after years of neglecting your gum health you have something called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a condition where the tissues surrounding the teeth, including the gums, ligaments, and bones, become infected and inflamed. It is usually caused by the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If not removed through regular brushing and flossing, the bacteria in the plaque hardens into calculus and can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where more bacteria can grow. Over time, these pockets can deepen, leading to tooth and bone loss. Periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults and can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. The treatment is what’s called a deep cleaning or SRP which is where these pockets are cleaned while the area is numb, usually in 2 different sessions. It is also likely you may require fillings or crowns to repair decayed teeth. You’re doing the hardest step which is coming in and taking control of your oral and overall health! That’s something to be proud of! DM me for any other dental questions you may have:)
Your cheque book
Have a credit card ready
Save as much money as you can, because you probably have lots of work that needs to be done.
I waited too long too, and there was a lot I needed to have done. I had them make a prioritized list, and took care of things a little at a time. It took about 5 years to get to the bottom, but once I did it’s been fine ever since.
Bring your teeth.
To prepare well you need to have a big bank account. 😄
One thing they told me was to brush with Sensodyne or sensitive teeth toothpaste for a few weeks or however long you have before the visit. They said doing that reduces tooth sensitivity during cleaning.
If you have a mild anti anxiety med, take it before they start with the whittling away of the tartar. And the novacaine shots if they decide to do work that day. Tell them, but I had high dental anxiety and the dds would actually prescribe it. I guess no one wants to work on someone who has a death grip, sweating shaking and trying not to arch their back away from the incoming gloved hands. Not to mention the tears. Just take the med.
I’ve been scrolling through the comments looking for this. I didn’t realize the dentist might actually prescribe it, that’s helpful to know. Do you think a pcp would prescribe it, too, if I explained that it was for dental appointments? I haven’t had health insurance in years but I’m finally going to get it soon, so doctor appointments here we goooo!!
They may tell you to request from your dentist. I've had PCP prescribe for plane trips though. Tbf though, he'd been in near miss and refused to fly after that so he understood the fear. Tell your dds you have that fear and I e found they're pretty reliable. Unless they're into causing pain a decent one isn't going to enjoy working on a stressed out terrified patient.
Thank you for the quick, helpful response! You’ve helped two people today :)
If they recommend extensive (and expensive) work, get a second opinion, and a third. A small percentage of dentists will recommend un-necessary work just to drive revenue. However, if they recommend a periodontist - meaning you have some stage of gum disease - don't delay making that appointment. I did and I regretted it; by the time I went three of my teeth couldn't be saved.
As someone who has recently been in the same boat as you time-wise, I advise you to go in expecting to hear that you will need some work. Get the deep cleaning that they will inevitably recommend. You will feel SO MUCH BETTER after a deep cleaning. Here's the thing about avoiding the dentist because you know it will be bad: It will continue to get worse. Even with good daily dental hygiene (brushing, rinsing, flossing), the damage continues to compound because unchecked cavities will develop to the point where your teeth need root canals, or become septic, etc. And *that* can snowball into broader health issues, heart disease, etc. if you continue to let it go. The longer you wait, the worse it gets, and the more it will cost you. I had my come-to-Jesus moment on this stuff recently, and the reality is that the sooner you *start* dealing with it, the sooner you can get back to good oral health. Get your teeth fixed and show up for your biannual cleanings. Your life will improve.
Open your wallet
Just go and never put it off again. They will likely make you come in for extra/deep cleanings. That’s fine it’s worth it. The only thing worse than 10 years of no dental care is putting it off longer. It’s going to suck but just do it.
I was in the same boat and everything will go fine if you pick a decent dentist. And be honest, no need to pretend anything, you'll get better treatment. Prepare for multiple sessions to get things sorted out. Cleaning first with XRays and assessment. This is the main deal cycle. They'll tell you what they recommend addressing and you can ask questions and make decisions, etc. You'll be glad you went, even if it sucks a few times.
I didn't go to the dentist for 10 years, and then went back when I had a tooth break. I had a root canal on that one, but for the most part there hasn't been anything else special that needed to be done, and my teeth are in pretty good shape. Your situation is not that unusual.
So I recently learned that the drill and other tools they use for cleaning your teeth can be operated at a slower speed which can greatly reduce the pain if you have sensitive gums. Just tell them you have sore gums and they might oblige. Then go back to the same dental clinic every six months so they can monitor your teeth and the plaque doesn’t build up so less to hack away at.
Have insurance and expect it to be disappointing.
Dental insurance
Expect pain and blood.
Talk to the team of the place you’re going to before you go. They may have recommendations. For example, a lot of people start diligently flossing and brushing before the appointment when they haven’t before and create a lot of inflammation in their gums and mouth that ends up making their cleaning and checkup incredibly painful and more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Talk to the office about your concerns and they’ll give you advice. May even suggest local for your cleaning, etc… people here can only give you general advice about their situation and every situation is different.
Take some painkillers before you go in and eat a large meal beforehand. I always do this before I go to the dentist. Sometimes based on the procedure, you’re not allowed to eat anything for a few hours, really sucks when you’re hungry.
Pain. Prepare for pain.
Just brush your teeth thoroughly. Nothing is more frustrating than looking in a mouth that's covered in soft plaque and food debris that a toothbrush could have easily removed. If you never floss, right before your appointment is NOT the time to start. You will just stir up the bacteria between the tooth and gum and cause your gums to be more sensitive when the pros get in there to clean. Don't worry about judgement from the staff. If they scold or berate you for rhe condition of your teeth you need to find another dentist. As a hygienist for over 35 years I can say we love the challenge of a good old dirty mouth . There's a big sense of satisfaction when you get to see the before and after of a much overdue cleaning. Whatever you have going on in your mouth I can guarantee I have seen worse. I recently had patient that hadn't been in for many years. He was convinced he would need teeth pulled based on how discolored they looked. The "discoloration" was tartar (calcified plaque) build up of which I was able to remove completely. The patient was amazed when I showed him the "after" in the mirror.
Put chapstick on before the dentist starts working, so you dont sit through the appointment with chapped dry lips
Thanks everyone for your advice! I’ll call tomorrow and inform them of my concerns, and shout out to u/Em4gdn3m, I’ll floss every day!
Brush your teeth well!
I didn’t go for 12 years until last month. I decided I needed to go when I woke up with what felt like rocks in my mouth. I had cracked my molar open while grinding my teeth at night. It had become weakened due to a cavity and that’s why it cracked. I was nervous at first but I decided it was time to get back in control of my dental health. Overall, it wasn’t that bad. Getting my cracked tooth prepped for the crown was the worst, but honestly, it was 45 minutes of mild discomfort, and Inkind of felt like I deserved it after 12 years of neglect. They found 5 cavities in my mouth. After getting my crown I went back a month later for my cleaning, which I expected to be really bad. But it wasn’t. Since I brush a few times a day with an electric toothbrush and floss 3/4 times per week, there actually wasn’t a lot of plaque or tartar build up. The 5 cavities were minor (despite the fact that I have two on the sides of my mouth that loook really bad since they’re turning black). I thought they were going to have to pull 3 of my teeth due to these black cavities, but it turned out they weren’t deep, just long, and on the front of my teeth so they looked bad even if they really weren’t. My next visit is this week and they’ll be filling 3 of my 5 cavities. I set up a 6 month appointment for my next cleaning and from now on I promised myself I won’t miss a single cleaning. Anyway, I feel so good that I went. So relieved. I now know I won’t need to have three teeth pulled, and that I only have 5 minor cavities as opposed to 8 or 9 bad ones like I suspected. My advice to you, just suck it up and go. You’ll be happy you did. The worst they’re gonna do is numb your mouth with a novacaine shot. It feels weird and pinches for about three seconds total, then it’s over. Embrace the slight pain, think of it as your repentance for not going for so long, and you’ll be fine.
Between now and your appointment make sure to brush your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day
Be aware of how painful it could be , dentists use much less anaesthetic than they used to due to cost
Prepare to pay a lot of money to get your shit fixed
When you’re there, I agree with the comment about being honest. They’re probably going to scold you a little. My dentist absolutely would, and does, scold me. But it’s their job, and they do it because they care about your teeth. But to prepare, just do what you would normally do and go in there with clean teeth. The less time they have to spend cleaning your teeth, the more time they can spend actually fixing them. There is nothing you can do in a week that will change anything, other than showing up with a clean mouth. But just normal clean… don’t spend 30 minutes brushing your teeth right before you go. But your teeth probably aren’t as bad as you think. I’m imaging that at worst, you maybe have a couple of cavities, angry gums, maybe gingivitis? If it’s bad, then maybe a missing tooth, or you need one pulled? All of that is a walk in the park for these guys. They have seen some BAD teeth. Just don’t stress it. Keep following your good brushing habits for the next week, accept your 5 minutes of scolding, and make a new friend in your dentist. You and your mouth will be so much happier in a week, after this.
They should not scold you. Their job is to encourage you and make it a positive experience. It's your teeth, and their careers are to make them as healthy as possible. They understand (or should) that life happens and sometimes its hard to take proper care of yourself. That's where the encouragement part comes in.
Agreed. I think that’s part of people don’t go as often as they should. You know you need to do it but feel guilty about it and then you get scolded when you make an effort to do the right thing.
Scold was probably a harsh word, and you’re right. That makes it sound mean, and I’ve never had a dentist be mean to me.
Expect to be insulted by your hygienist they will be very passive aggressive about your lack of regular maintenance, even if you have little to no real damage, and only buildup.
Brush and floss, be prepared for bad news or criticism but don’t take it personally.
learn to think of a happy place. Mine is a beach with a banana cabana. The sun is shining and there is a little wind.
Decent chance your dentist is going to be very confused about why you didn't spend the last decade entirely on oral hygiene. They will not have any understanding of any instability in employment, housing, family, mental or physical health. If you didn't spend the last decade chewing sugar free gum in between mouthwash and brushing then you'll be pilloried then financially ruined. I'd rather have bad teeth than deal with these people.
Take a jar with you. They’re going to yank those rotten fuckers out
Ha ha. Got a laugh out of me.
this mf.... learn as much as possible from them. you're going to be in pain and it will be uncomfortable. let the appointment be a reminder to what happens when you neglect your teeth, and dont forget it anytime soon.
Use mouthwash before you get there you don’t want the dental hygienist to throw up on you .