Dental hygiene, is it routine in your life?

[melikalikimaka]

Just had an extraction this morning [falling apart, I am!} and my fantastic dentist said that a lot of people don't always have a check every year.
On customer hadn't had a check up for 7 years!
I find that incredible because I imagine a scale and polish would be necessary in one year.

Most of my work friends say they can't afford to go and live on pain killers! It's just cost me £41 to get rid of a nasty cracked tooth. I have always believed in at least once a year check ups, AIBU?

Daily vigourous brushing and six-monthly checkups for mummy bear, daddy bear and the little cub here.

It depends on your teeth. I went through a phase and probably didn't go to the dentist for about seven years but didn't need a scale and polish when I did.

I'm much better now but that's mainly because I ensure Pugsley and Wednesday have their teeth looked after and go at the same time.

I go every year and a couple of times when pregnant because i couldn't brush my teeth. My dad didn't go for 20 years because he was too scared. He needed lots of hygienist work.

we have 6 monthly check ups but the check ups are free here (scotland)

Good dental hygene is very important in protecting from more serious disease, even coronary health!

I have quite a serious phobia of dentists.. I haven't been for 17 years However I am religious about brushing my teeth, and flossing. My teeth are all white, no green bits growing :o

I know I do need to grow up and get a grip on my phobia but even going in to a dentists waiting room makes me throw up.

I go twice a year, brish and floss twice a day and use moutwash. I could not bear to have bad teeth (pain or appearance wise).

I go every 6 months. You shouldn't neglect your gums! My mother hasn't been for years and her teeth are in a real mess.

You're not being unreasonable, but I'm one of those people who doesn't go to the dentist.

I brush, mouthwash, even floss occasionally, nothing hurts, and for the last few years haven't been able to afford anything unnecessary. Now I'm on a probationary/training period in new job, and if they keep me on I might treat myself to a check-up.

Sorry, am BF and ty[ing at the same time.

Yes,snowiebear he told me, he had saved a patients life by discovering a lump on a customers gum, turned out it was early stage mouth cancer!

I haven't been for years. I can't afford it. But I now have a maternity card for a year (thanks dd2) so should go

lucretia that says it all. You'll "treat" yourself to a checkup! OMG. What have dental services come to in this country when people see it as a nice extra!
The trouble is, even when you do go, you don't get what you pay for. My dentist won't do scale and polish even though it's supposed to be part of the standard NHS check up. You just get referred to the hygienist for a 20 minute appointment at £40. Frankly they need to do something about this cos NHS dentists are just taking the piss.

Some people can get away with it.

I brush twice a day, floss once a day, do a thorough clean with plaque stain once a week. I don't eat sugar or crisps, drink fizzy drinks, juices or cofee.

Yet I still need to go every 3 months and and am just barely keeping my teeth in my head.

DH brushes for 30 seconds once a day, has 2 massive sugars in his many cups of tea. He eats sweets, crisps and choclates daily. He goes to the dentist once a year and needs only a light scale.

Our problem is finding a dentist anywhere nearby.

You've just reminded me. I'm due my 6 month check a year ago, better schedule one soon! That said I have gone about 8 years without a check once, but I've always brushed and flossed regularly everyday.

I wish I could give everyone my dentist, his receptionist puts you at ease, he is very matter of fact but gentle and has never hurt me. They are so lovely.

Yanbu but many can't afford to.

I am lucky in that I have excellent teeth (dentist says, not me) and despite probably being able to count on one hand the number of times I have been to the dentist since leaving school I have never had one filling for decay (did chip my teeth in an accident, but that is another story!).

I go on average once every 5 years, as does DH. No problems at all. No gum disease or fillings.

We use sonic toothbrushes and floss on an irregular basis.

I go when I have to, and not before. I have a severe phobia and last time it took me 3 attempts to actually get there! on the 3rd go I had to ring from outside and spologise for not going, but she saw me through the window and came out to me! Thankfully my teeth aren't too bad now, so I don't need them

notquitenormal - same here, I brush and floss religiously but my gums are a mess and I need a filling next time I go.

DH spends 10 seconds a day on his teeth and drinks fizzy pop and his teeth are always immaculate - he never even gets a flossing lecture off the dentist

I blame the Pill and pregnancy for my rotting teeth.

OP, yes dental hygiene is routine for me - I dread to think how bad my teeth would be without it!

I'm a NHS patient and use a Braun Vitality electric toothbrush every day, floss once a week. If I had my time again, I would never eat TOFFEE!

i brush and floss daily (actually use those tipi things to floss now)
6 mthly check ups and hygenist

I have such a strong gag reflex that I had a general anaesthetic to replace a filling just before we left Bangkok. So, the last time I actually went for a check up was long before we left the uk. I am guessing 15 years ago.
DD and DH go regularly. He has horrible teeth and generally has them sorted out on his annual trip to Bangkok. DD never has any treatment and adores the dentist.

Imnotaslimjim It might be worth looking around for a dentist that specialises in treating patients with dental phobia. I go to one and he is lovely. (It took a broken tooth shedding my cheek to get me that far mind you)