Another dentist one... Why should we go?

[picklemepopcorn]

So, I routinely go to the dentist, get complimented on the cleanliness of my teeth, but still seem to need work, especially every time I get a new dentist. I'm booked in for a replacement filling and a crown on a root canal.

DH thinks we shouldn't go at all, unless we have pain. He reckons they 'find stuff to do'. He doesn't think the treatments and interventions are helpful preventatively speaking.

A friend and her husband don't go at all.

Are they all BU?

Robinia ask your surgery if they do the nhs health checks. Mine does and I was invited. It seems not every surgery does them, or isn't inviting people for them anyway (I guess it depends what uptake would be like in different areas as to whether they think it is worth the price of a stamp for everyone over 40).

Unless you already have a long term condition. My sister does so she didn't get the invite when she turned 40. Dp laughed and called it my getting old letter! Cheeky fuck

Our dentist/hygienist doesn't remove plaque anymore.
Check ups are once a year than 6 months unless you clearly have issues.

In France, you wouldn't go to a dentist unless you have a problem. The only reason I thought it was worth making an effort when the dcs wer little is for them to get used to it wo it being a 'big' issue on the first visit and therefore avoiding the 'fearing the dentist' factor.
Otherwise, I do wonder what is the point.

For me it's on par with going to have your eyes tested every year even though you have no issues with your ur glasses/prescription. My eye sight hasn't changed in the last 10 years. It very much feels like the opticians are pushing the 'better to get checked' agenda for their own interest.

Your dentist doesn't just look at your teeth. They check your gums for signs of disease (gum disease doesn't hurt, but will lead to periodontal disease. This means the tissues supporting the teeth, and your actual bone, will recede) and also oral cancer. The idea with going for regular checks is that any early signs of disease can be addressed.

Why on earth don't they remove plaque? I would demand it! What's the point in leaving it until you have decay?!

Not sure France is really known for it's good dental hygiene, tbf.

I have had mixed experiences with dentists. Mostly at times of transition eg a practice shutting down or a dentist retiring.
Got great dentist now through recommendation and go every 6 months so I can keep him. [He best never retire!].
Scale and polish part of check up....

Odd how only those medical specialists who charge (dentists and opticians) insist regular checks are necessary.
NHS funded checks are based on clinical trials which identify a benefit to the checks.

picklemepopcorn I've been with the same surgery for 25 years now. Around 8 years ago all of the original dentists retired and the surgery/business was sold. I went from having the same dentist for 17 years to now having just seen my 5th in 8 years. So yes, a high turnover here too.

I go to the dentist every six months. In the last 10years, I'd say I've had one tiny filling. Left alone, it would have become painful and been a big filling. Mine don't find work to do but if you think yours does, move surgery.

I changed dentist for the same reason, just felt like a money making exercise and the work was pretty crap to be honest. I also hated that they tried to pressure you into going to hygenist (i had a clean 2 weeks before my checkup and they still tried to get me to go, there was nothing to clean!)

I've recently had a patient die from oral cancer even though I managed to catch it early so am a huge advocate for regular check-ups.

Personally, I'd rather go for checkups and head any potential problems off - why wait until you're in pain? Of course there are times when you can't foresee a problem, but toothache is miserable.
Sympathies to those who find going to the dentist stressful, though.

I go about every 6-12 months, depending on when I remember.

I changed dentists recently as my previously lovely dentist turned into a money grabbing git who was finding work to do. He wanted me to have a gold crown when he admitted it might only last a couple of weeks and he wanted me to have an inlay on a back tooth that would cost about £1k. Apparently it's impossible to fill a back tooth, despite the fact it was already filled. My new dentist told me there was nothing wrong with the tooth!

Unfortunately I'm now on the lookout for yet another new dentist as the new one is a lousy timekeeper. First time I saw her I waited 35 minutes and last time 45. Much to the receptionists disgust I walked out without seeing the dentist last time as I refused to wait any longer.

Hopefully it'll be third time lucky!

I go once a year to the dentist and every 4 months to the hygienist.

I sometimes find I need to go to the dentist inbetween but not because something hurts, but because a tooth has cracked around a filling or a filling has fallen out or similar. All my problems as an adult have been caused by fillings done when I was a child.

You don't need to be going every 6 months if there's nothing wrong.
No clinical need for that whatsoever.
If all they do is count and grade your teeth you can go every 12 months, or even 2 years.
Every 6 months is a racket.

I go every 6 months - it cost less than £20 for a clean and polish - I have no fillings at 46 - I'd say it's worth getting regular dental checks

I also think every 6 months is overkill, but I do go to the dentist and hygienist once a year. As others have said, dentists spot other things such as gum disease. Did you know gums and heart health are linked?

Similarly with opticians, they spot other things such as brain tumours. My friend was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in his eye during a routine eye test. He would almost certainly be dead now if he hadn't gone for a checkup.

It's not great that you've had a variety of different dentists recently. Is it an option to move surgery? Try and get a recommendation from someone.

Do you like your teeth? Then go to the dentist!
They can give you preventative medicine and advice, clean and polish. They also check for mouth and throat cancer which is often painless.
You should go to the doctor for your smear, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Undiagnosed hypertension is a huge killer.
You go to the opticians every year/2 years to check for changes.

Id rather go regularly and prevent problems than go rarely and cure those uneccessary problems. (Expensive, painful and can be fatal)

I'm in the US, and have dental insurance.

I guess they think that it's worth seeing the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every 6 months because they cover those costs 100%. They also reward you financially if you see the dentist at least once a year.

They cover fillings at 80% of the cost, and major treatments at 50%. They also only cover one crown every 5 years.

I do every 6 months...

Oral health is linked to heart health. That's a good enough reason for me to go.

@MorrisZapp - it's the fluoride that's important. Is it mint flavour he doesn't like? I'm an adult and can't use mint! Try sainsburys fruity gel or tesco strawberry milkshake flavour. Both have adult levels (1450ppm) of fluoride in and I use them daily, checked with my dentist who laughed and said yes absolutely fine

I've told DH about heart and gums. Maybe he'll believe it better from you lot! I'll tell him about the oral cancer.

Pain stage is too late. Every 12 months: a decent dentist will spot receding gums or bone loss before you lose a tooth.

instasista , plaque is soft and easily removed by brushing your teeth properly so if you turn up at the dentist with plaque covered teeth you really need to brush them.
Tartar is plaque which has hardened and when it gets to that stage needs to be removed by a scaling

I haven't been for about 25 years and my teeth are still there