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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why people don't worry about black stubby teeth?

127 replies

khaliwali · 22/07/2011 16:25

I have just watched an episode of Jeremy Kyle for the first time in years. I am not trying to make fun of, or judge people who may be on low income/benefits and those who may have a drink problem, please don't think I am. Quite rightly, as far as I know, in the UK dental treatment is still free to people who can't afford to pay. On this particular show, all of the people under 40 had either teeth missing or blackened rotten front teeth. I wonder why more isn't done to promote dental health, surely gum disease and all of it's related diseases are expensive for the NHS to treat and in 2011, completely unnecessary.
As I said, I am not slating the people on this show although I do think that they are being exploited but that it another story.

OP posts:
HHLimbo · 22/07/2011 18:11

When I was travelling I saw young girls with actual holes in their teeth - right through. Quite shocking.

We are so fortunate in this country to have (had?) fluoride toothpaste and access to dentists.

HHLimbo · 22/07/2011 18:15

I live almost next door to a dentists surgery, but I had to travel several miles to find one I could actually register with.

Talking to my dentist is like talking to a salesman.

mrsmon · 22/07/2011 18:16

Most people who go on JK have horrible teeth! im not sure wether this is their situation, home life or just plain lazyness! How hard is it to brush your teeth? you can get a toothbrush and toothpaste for 2quid nowadays theres no excuse!
Even if you are afraid of the dentist what stops you having proper dental hygiene? and maybe a bit of respect for yourself!

My children and i attend a NHS dental practice every 6 months as my dentist sends out appt cards so we dont even have to make appts! not sure if any other practices do this?

Also my sons school have toothbrushing everyday overseen by the same designated person and they also get flouride coated onto their teeth twice a year! my youngest son is 2 and is due to have this done in the next few weeks. Has any other mnetters heard of this?

Im in glasgow and over the past few years the NHS/council and other bodies have been taking dental health seriously as most do have awful teeth! My gran had all her teeth taken out in her 30s as she couldnt stand toothache so she got them all whipped out, she said its the best thing she has ever done! :P

Reading most of these posts im noticing that people cant get an appt or even a dentist! shocking! I have never had to deal with that problem as the area im in i can count 6 in the 1 street! move here lol x

FabbyChic · 22/07/2011 18:17

I couldn't find an NHS dentist for six years. Some people have bad teeth because they have hereditary gum disease and it is not treated on the NHS only privately. I waited three years for gum treatment 15 years ago but they don't do it any more i.e referral to a hospital.

Some people have bad teeth because they have had oral cancer.

Your post is ill thought out and pathetic.

Not everybody has bad teeth because they don't look after them.

Some have bad teeth because dentists on the NHS are like fucking gold dust.

thisisyesterday · 22/07/2011 18:19

it's nothing to do with not being able to get an NHS dentist and EVERYTHING to do with not looking after your teeth.
eating lots of sugar, not brushing.

until last year (i think) dp had not seen a dentist since he was a child. His teeth are perfect. becasue he takes care of them.

a dentist will not stop your teeth going black, s/he will simply fix the damage.

FabbyChic · 22/07/2011 18:21

Gum disease is hereditary.

Gum disease is not treatable on the NHS. My mother lost all her teeth at 24 due to gum disease.

I have it because it is hereditary.

I don't eat sugar.

thisisyesterday · 22/07/2011 18:31

you're right

i bet ALL the people on jeremy kyle have that.

and the NHS just tell them to go away.

my mum has gum disease and gets treated on the NHS.

mrsmon · 22/07/2011 18:33

it must be an area thing why certain dentists treat it and some dont.

rumbledethump · 22/07/2011 18:37

Even now that we have reached page 3, no-one has mentioned that even if you find an NHS dentist, treatment still has to be paid for. Some time ago I remember it was about 1/3 of the private equivalent.

mrsmon · 22/07/2011 18:40

there are some exeptions im sure, under 16s or those in FT education, pregnant ladies and a year afterwards, if you work 16 hours or less or are elderly and of course if you are on benefits.

valiumredhead · 22/07/2011 18:41

Oh, dentists do hurt! My filling hurt a lot, the drilling was so painful ,and then the extraction of said tooth was worse

If they hurt you are not numbed up enough - put your hand up and tell him/her you want another injection. You should feel numb but no pain!

thisisyesterday · 22/07/2011 18:42

yes, if you are on income support etc you also are exempt

so very low income families will get free treatment
but many just won't bother.

mrsmon · 22/07/2011 18:46

does that not make you mad! that they can receive free dental treatment with access to nhs dentists and dont bother(some) while there are people out their fighting to get on a list! worlds mad!

PlentyOfPubgardens · 22/07/2011 18:52

My mum had all her teeth out when she was 21. She said it was just what you did in those days - a bit like boob jobs or botox Hmm

I have dental phobia and haven't been for years. I do look after them as best I can. They're a wee bit stained from too much strong tea but good and strong, no bleeding gums or anything. Whenever I've had treatment, I've found the injections themselves incredibly painful. Far worse than tattoos or childbirth.

EuphemiaMcGonagall · 22/07/2011 19:05

I was working in a school last year where two of the boys in P1, aged four and a half had had all their teeth taken out because they were rotten.

If they can't look after their milk teeth for a few years, what hope for their adult teeth? Just after I left the P1 classes were all issued with toothbrushes and took part in a dental hygiene programme: closing the stable door after the horse has got himself a nice set of falsers?

I'm on fire with the equestrian metaphors today. Hmm

LucyGoose · 22/07/2011 19:09

pingu - sorry, but that is absolutely horrific! They NEVER brush their teeth??? God, what must their breath be like?!

Serenitysutton · 22/07/2011 19:26

Actually, whilst I think a small number of people genuinely can't get their shit together to go to the dentist (lots of areas have dentists accpeting nhs patients- including the ones I've lived in) I think there is a real culture of refusing to spend money on your teeth in this country. People will pay hundreds/ thousands on a holiday and other luxury items but become tight as arseholes when it comes to their teeth.personally, I'd rather work evenings in a pub to save than go around with black stumps, but I undertand if you hav no pride in yor health or appearence or a choatic life, or are just a bit dim, that idea would be alien.
Very few people are as scared of serious medical treatment as they are dentists, and not only is dental phobia curable you can also see specialist dentists who deal with phobic patients (on the nhs) I think it's Almost a culture of hysteria, where you are scared by default, without putting any effort into understanding or eradicating those feelings

EuphemiaMcGonagall · 22/07/2011 19:37

Serenity your last sentence sums up my MIL's attitude to health in a nutshell.

motheroftwoboys · 22/07/2011 19:39

It is a myth that people in full time education get their dental care free. My DS1 has just finished his second year at uni. He applied for help with NHS costs and when the assessment came back it said he had to pay the first £144 worth of dental care (in a year!). This was income assessed on just his student loan which doesn't even cover is accommodation - we have to top up. DH and I have cover under Denplan and we have joined DS! as it is almost as cheap as having to pay for the check ups/hygienist/any treatment. DS2 is just starting uni this year and no doubt we will go through the whole thing again. The form you have to fill in is horrendous and would put loads of people off - probably the plan. Hmm

thisisyesterday · 22/07/2011 19:41

if you're in full time education and under 19 you are entitled to free dental treatment

PlentyOfPubgardens · 22/07/2011 19:44

How would I go about finding one of these specialist dentists Serenity?

It's bad enough when I take the DC. I honestly think I'd need a GA to deal with any dental treatment Sad

Serenitysutton · 22/07/2011 19:59

You could try the nhs website or maybe your regular dentist or Gp. A good friend used to use one and the methods they use are ALL centred around understanding phobia, it was brilliant for her.

thisisyesterday · 22/07/2011 20:02

ask your usual dentist, they ought to know of specialist ones in the vicinity

Nagini · 22/07/2011 20:05

Drugs rot your teeth.

smokinaces · 22/07/2011 20:32

I have only ever had NHS dentists, and no problems with them at all. Seen every 6 months, and great treatment. Never had them try and whip teeth out - I've had a white crown and white fillings whilst I've been on an NHS exemption card too (first maternity, then low income as I work part time)

In fact I am waiting 12 months on for them to agree to take a wisdom tooth out as they are reluctant to take out a 2nd after the 1st impacted and needed hospital treatment.

I must be very lucky where I live - there's definately not a shortage of NHS dentists round here.

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