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Original poster

Should I listen to my dentist?

67 replies

Downtroddenhousingass · 09/02/2019 23:15

Apparently I have a hole in a tooth. He said it must be hurting, when it isn't at all.

He wants to drill it and fill it.

All very slap dash with an NHS appointment.

I'm tempted to not take his advice and go and see a private mercury free dentist for a second opinion. He couldn't tell me if it could be filled with metal or plastic. Both aren't great for you so would rather avoid.

If I can't feel any pain could it heal itself?

OP posts:
PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 09/02/2019 23:23

If you have a hole then no, it won’t heal itself. Teeth don’t work like that (although hopefully they will in the future). I’d get a second opinion.

jua890 · 09/02/2019 23:24

definitely get a second opinion. I've been to different dentists - one said I needed four fillings (!) and the other said no work needed!

jua890 · 09/02/2019 23:26

also have a look at healing cavities naturally. things like Xylitol can help teeth to remineralise. there's loads of information out there on diet and things like that as well, subliminal videos, etc. I know a lot of ppl will say it's bunkum but I strongly believe in the capacity of the body (including teeth) to heal if you have the right mindset and conditions e.g. diet.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
BigBairyHollocks · 09/02/2019 23:28

jua890 neither were necessarily wrong.Obe dentist might see small cavity area that may or may not require filling later,another will see the same and err on the side of caution,to provide you as the patient with the option that will cause you less physical pain in future.People don’t need to always assume everything is a scam.Dentistry is highly regulated you know,they can’t just do treatments for no reason.

jua890 · 09/02/2019 23:31

bigbairy, I know this. However following this I didn't pursue fillings, I had a big gap (five years) before seeing a dentist again (a long story, I should have gone sooner I know) but when I went back all I needed was one single filling. It's completely random when I was told five years earlier I needed four fillings and was given a quote for them. Strange.

Original poster
Downtroddenhousingass · 09/02/2019 23:31

Actually I'm trying coconut oil pulling and xylitol to try and remineralise. Not sure if it will do anything.

My dentist worried me as he seems so keen to drill, was saying the first sign he sees he likes to drill it and fill it - said very happy and enthusiastic about it!

I used to have a much better dentist that prefered just to keep an eye on things

OP posts:
Katiemarshall123 · 09/02/2019 23:37

Advice just try and keep it clean, but it should be sorted as you could get toothache and unfortunately it won’t just go away and could be really painful, but if your worried about the dentist you can asked to be referred and be sedated to get it done.

JuniperBeer · 09/02/2019 23:39

Yes but there’s only so long that they can keep an eye on things. A hole could get deeper. And then you’ll need a larger filling than you would have initially.
I find it weird the dentist couldn’t tell you what filling he would use ask for clarification on this.
Oil pulling has been debunked. Absolute nonsense

anitagreen · 09/02/2019 23:51

I will tell you this I had a tooth that had a small hole, over time it caused no pain but became bigger, said tooth then cracked as it was so bad and the whole obviously couldn't close and sugar etc was destroying it, the pain this tooth caused was worth than childbirth I would rather push a head out of my vagina 7 times in a row every day for a month than experience that again, I then had the tooth removed as it couldn't be saved I then got dry socket. That pain was worse than the first stated pain I spent all night and all day crying for two weeks. Get it filled ASAP

safariboot · 10/02/2019 01:26

A second opinion seems sensible, especially as the NHS dentist seems to think he knows your own symptoms better than you do! ("It must be hurting"). That's a red flag from a dentist for me.

Oldbutnotold · 10/02/2019 18:47

My sil just had this. So she listened. Had it filled. Was then in agony when she had no pain before. Been back to have it done 3 times and it is worse than before. They also cut the nerve whilst doing it so now the tooth is dead and she was told it will go dark over time and will then need a crown.Get a second opinion.

gamerchick · 10/02/2019 18:52

I really want you to leave it and to let it 'heal itself' because sometimes you have to learn a lesson the hard way for it to stick.

Mmmhmmokdear · 10/02/2019 19:50

I didn't know I needed a filling, nothing hurt or was sensitive etc. So I had it and have had no problems. Why would your dentist lie?

Original poster
Downtroddenhousingass · 10/02/2019 20:03

How rude gamer, I asked a question about it healing itself.Biscuit twat

That's my concern old, touching something that doesn't have any issues. I've had similar stories from other people.

It's not that the dentist is lying, but they are paid to drill teeth. Dentistry has changed so much in the last 50 years, every single one of my parents teeth have a filling and they are going back regularly with issues.

Can I see another NHS dentist? I'm thinking of moving and the one I'm registered at was only good for my last job

Hopefully getting a few opinions on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Downtroddenhousingass · 10/02/2019 20:04

He said he couldn't say what type of filling as it would depend on how deep it was.

OP posts:
willdoitinaminute · 10/02/2019 20:12

If it’s a cavity where you have lost tooth tissue then no it can’t heal. If it’s a lesion where there is demineralisation (and very small) you could try preventative treatment and potentially stabilise it. But you are wasting your time with coconut oil and xylitol, you need a high concentration of fluoride such as Duraphat 5000 toothpaste.
Oh and meticulous cleaning and flossing along with very low sugar ( simple and complex carbohydrates) diet excluding all foods with low ph.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 10/02/2019 20:19

Im a dentist. We aren't paid to drill teeth on the NHS. We can make more money doing a whole day of examinations and no treatment. We really don't fill teeth unnecessarily.

willdoitinaminute · 10/02/2019 20:21

Actually we are no longer paid to drill teeth that was during the 1970s - 1990s. It’s far more complicated now. The NHS contract discourages filling large numbers of teeth however it doesn’t encourage preventative treatment.
A new contract is due to roll out next year where you will be unlikely to get any treatment done under the NHS if your oral hygiene isn’t absolutely perfect. So expect lots of posts next year where MN are complaining that all their NHS dentists will do a check up and nag them to death to clean their teeth. Potentially it could be a good thing for the nations teeth but like most mass medication schemes it will have its critics.

Original poster
Downtroddenhousingass · 10/02/2019 20:24

I'm not expecting anything magical with coconut oil, but it's naturally anti inflammatory and produces alot of salava. So can't be doing any harm.

What are you saying about simple and complicated carbohydrates?

Surely they do make more money, if they want to fill it it's two more appointments as apose to none if they don't.

OP posts:
Original poster
Downtroddenhousingass · 10/02/2019 20:25

Surely if your dental hygiene is perfect you don't need a dentist?

I thought mine was good (no fillings in 20 years) then this hapoens

OP posts:
diy2731 · 10/02/2019 20:26

I really want you to leave it and to let it 'heal itself' because sometimes you have to learn a lesson the hard way for it to stick.
^
I agree with gamer.
Just get your filling done and stop being a prat.
Your dentist couldn't care less if you don't, he/she won't be the one with agonising toothache in 6 months.

gamerchick · 10/02/2019 20:30

How rude gamer, I asked a question about it healing itself

That's why I didn't take you seriously.

Now you've had actual dentists replying it's up to you whether to listen.

Personally I'd rather catch a small hole than wait until agony hits in the middle of the night.

diy2731 · 10/02/2019 20:34

Exactly Gamer
But what would OP's dentist know 🤷‍♀️
He/She's only studied dentistry for god knows how many years, but he/she must have an ulterior motive Confused

Decormad38 · 10/02/2019 20:37

You think a hole in your tooth will heal itself? Honestly? I don’t know if you are taking the piss? Just get a bloody filling. It takes 2 mins!

NoArmaniNoPunani · 10/02/2019 20:38

We don't get paid per appointment. You're having actual dentists telling you how it is and you're still deciding to disbelieve us. Crack on with the xylitol and enjoy your future abscess.