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> There's a point where I started to wonder if dentists in general are worried about becoming obsolete. That's conspiracy theory, of course, so I don't take it

by Kluny 9y ago

> There's a point where I started to wonder if dentists in general are worried about becoming obsolete. That's conspiracy theory, of course, so I don't take it seriously. But I do wonder all the same. If they are, someone should hold their hands and reassure them, or something. I haven't been to a dentist in about 6 years, mostly due to procrastination - though I can afford to have work done, I don't have coverage for it. I'd be a lot more enthusiastic about going if I thought they could actually fix something, instead of announcing that they want to drill more holes in my teeth every time.

wmeredith 9y ago
If you want dentists to stop drilling holes in your teeth, you should go more often and take care of your teeth.
vinceguidry 9y ago
You need to stop putting this off and just get in there. If you let it go long enough, then your teeth and gums will become permanently damaged and you'll need cleanings every 60 days instead of 120, for the rest of your life. If you hate going into the dentist now, just wait until you're on that schedule. I narrowly escaped this fate, but it happened to our project manager. If you have a lot of cavities to fill, I would advise knocking it all out outside the country. I went to a dentist in Medellin that did an amazing job, basic cosmetic and restorative work on my whole mouth plus the plane tickets and a 21 day stay in an AirBnB totaled out cheaper than my Atlanta dentist wanted for one inlay.
wingworks 9y ago
Yeah you really should go, you have to have these teeth till the end, best to look after them the best you can. I was kinda like you, I hadn't gone to the dentist for maybe 2-3 years, and have just gone and have gotten 1 filling that had half fallen out, re-done and another new hole fixed. And was told to switch to an electric toothbrush as I was brushing away my gums (which I highly recommend, if anyone is still using the hand brushes), which is kinda irreversible and potentially really bad if it goes too far. And there are a tonne of other things your dentist will be checking each time. Paying ~$100 a year is a small price to pay to keep your teeth healthy.
marvin 9y ago
Get your ass to the dentist right now. Gum disease looks symptomless if you don't know what to look for, and it makes all your teeth literally fall out by breaking down the bone in your jaw. Maintenance is a PITA if it goes too far. The few hundred bucks you'll pay today is nothing to the thousands you'll pay if you need to get things fixed the hard way. Probably you're not at that point, but please go and check.
- alvah 9y ago
  Can confirm. I didn't bother going to a dentist for about 3 years in my late teens / early twenties (due to complacency as my childhood dentist in the UK was the laziest man alive & just sent me home every year saying "your teeth are great"). On my first visit to a dentist after moving to Australia I needed 8 fillings and had periodontitis, which has resulted in painful & expensive treatment every 6 months for the last 20 years.

by Kluny 9y ago

wmeredith 9y ago

If you want dentists to stop drilling holes in your teeth, you should go more often and take care of your teeth.

vinceguidry 9y ago

You need to stop putting this off and just get in there. If you let it go long enough, then your teeth and gums will become permanently damaged and you'll need cleanings every 60 days instead of 120, for the rest of your life. If you hate going into the dentist now, just wait until you're on that schedule. I narrowly escaped this fate, but it happened to our project manager. If you have a lot of cavities to fill, I would advise knocking it all out outside the country. I went to a dentist in Medellin that did an amazing job, basic cosmetic and restorative work on my whole mouth plus the plane tickets and a 21 day stay in an AirBnB totaled out cheaper than my Atlanta dentist wanted for one inlay.

wingworks 9y ago

Yeah you really should go, you have to have these teeth till the end, best to look after them the best you can. I was kinda like you, I hadn't gone to the dentist for maybe 2-3 years, and have just gone and have gotten 1 filling that had half fallen out, re-done and another new hole fixed. And was told to switch to an electric toothbrush as I was brushing away my gums (which I highly recommend, if anyone is still using the hand brushes), which is kinda irreversible and potentially really bad if it goes too far. And there are a tonne of other things your dentist will be checking each time. Paying ~$100 a year is a small price to pay to keep your teeth healthy.

marvin 9y ago

Get your ass to the dentist right now. Gum disease looks symptomless if you don't know what to look for, and it makes all your teeth literally fall out by breaking down the bone in your jaw. Maintenance is a PITA if it goes too far. The few hundred bucks you'll pay today is nothing to the thousands you'll pay if you need to get things fixed the hard way. Probably you're not at that point, but please go and check.

alvah 9y ago
Can confirm. I didn't bother going to a dentist for about 3 years in my late teens / early twenties (due to complacency as my childhood dentist in the UK was the laziest man alive & just sent me home every year saying "your teeth are great"). On my first visit to a dentist after moving to Australia I needed 8 fillings and had periodontitis, which has resulted in painful & expensive treatment every 6 months for the last 20 years.