To think that adults are supposed to go to the dentist too?

[YourTealBalonz]

It feels like so many people act like the dentist is optional once you hit adulthood, only going when something hurts or skipping years altogether. But surely we’re supposed to still be going regularly?

Isn’t part of being a functioning adult keeping up with this stuff - like check-ups, cleaning, prevention, etc?

Or AIBU and it’s fine to just… not?

I think your eye tests are free if you are at risk of glaucoma.

He doesn’t I did check but his not old enough for free checks.

You have to be over 40.

I am supposed to go every six months and in previous years I have gone regularly but we are really short of money atm and just can't afford to go. Started having nightmares, religious about my teeth, even more so since my Invisalign. I hate not being able to see my dentist.

No , apart from MIH , dentine genesis imperfecta etc , there is no such thing as weak teeth.

The immune system has nothing to do with tooth decay , it is the acid which is produced by bacteria feeding off the sugar and starchy food that is eaten or drunk that causes the decay. That acid takes an hour to be neutralised by your saliva , so if you have dry mouth that can affect the amount of decay you have.

So for most people keep the sugar/starchy food and drinks down to three times a day and you will get no decay.

Gum disease is slightly different , there are factors like smoking, diabetes , pregnancy which will make it much worse and for eg rapid onset periodontitis (gum disease) genetics can play a part. However the main treatment for all gum disease is effective home cleaning and most treatment has the aim of making this easier to achieve.

Thank you for explaining it. Cutting out snacks is definitely something I need to do.

That’s unusual. Is your dentist cleaning your teeth, surely a clean is always recommended no matter how well you brush.

Good teeth are a mix of genetics and a class marker, money. The schools offer the first free dental checkup when children are 12. It was 8 years old, by then a lot of damage is done to the back molar teeth especially now with the increase in sugar foods.

We go as a family every 6 months BUT it took 18 months of being on the waiting list for me and DH to get on the books - DC was only waiting for 3 months after we moved house. Couldn’t get to previous dentist after they also moved premises, 40 minutes away from their old location and over an hour away from our new place.
Dentistry in the UK is in crisis

I’m the same! Some people are very fortunate with their dental health and unfortunately others are not.

I didn’t go to the Dentist for about 10 years (age 18 onwards) as I was travelling and working aboard. When I eventually did go to the dentist my teeth were fine. I have no fillings.

I’ve read that there is a certain type of bacteria that is very beneficial to your teeth. Ever since I was a teenager I always drink water after eating so the food can’t stay on my teeth. During Covid I didn’t see a dentist for 2 years and my teeth were fine when I went again.

My Dad always had good teeth so I think I took after him. He was also sceptical about using toothpaste! I do use a very small amount.

Sorry I just don’t think that’s true. We pay privately for the dentist in London; it’s £27 for a checkup, about £13 for an x-ray (needed once every few years if no issues), and £60 for a hygienist appointment for a full clean. Obviously that’s if no work needs doing, but catching stuff early is the best option.

I don’t see how people can’t budget £120 a year-ish for two checkups and one hygienist appointment.

Not everyone needs to see hygienist , I never have. It depends on how effective your tooth cleaning is.

Tartar (calculus) is just dental plaque that has been left undisturbed for at least 24 hours so eg if you cleaned really effectively at least once in 24 hours you would never need to see the hygienist.

I think the problem is that people know there will be work needed that they cannot afford at which point you’re wasting £27 when you cannot afford the £300 tooth being pulled or the root canal.

£120 if everything is fine.
Some people are pulling their own teeth out because they can't access a dentist. They could be paying into the £Ks to save those teeth if they went private.

I think it’s important to know that , historically, for many decades no more than 50% of the U.K. population visited the dentist , even when it was easy to obtain a NHS dentist .

As a previous poster pointed out non attendance has many factors and for a substantial proportion of the population they have never, regularly , attended a dentist.

She gives them a polish every visit and a through clean every 2-3 depending on need. Only ever had 1 filling and I’m nearly 40 so I guess they are fine. I don’t ever remember seeing the dentist through school but mum took me every 6m- 1year from the time I was a pre schooler. My 3 year old goes every 6m.

I thought the same about my area, but a couple of months ago I found that one practice was taking on a limited number of NHS patients and got lucky.

It was very timely, as I developed toothache around 10 days ago and need some root canal work done.

I used to go to the dentist years ago, they made me see the hygienist every time and my teeth felt more and more sensitive every time I went so I ended up stopping going.

I haven't been in 30 years now apart from once when I was pregnant, but then I had to travel over an hour to see an NHS dentist.

I don't know why i needed my teeth cleaning every time when I've managed to go 30 years without a filling. I think often it's all just a rip off tbh which is why I'm not bothered on going.

Hygienist cleaning doesn’t prevent fillings , that’s down to diet.

What cleanings do is
a get rid of tartar
b show you how to clean effectively

if you clean effectively you will no longer need cleanings/hygiene visits .
If you keep the number of times a day you eat or drink sugar/starch then you won’t need fillings.

I go every 6 months because I am very very lucky to have an nhs dentist. But most adults i know who don't go it isn't through choice we have a serious lack of dentists where I live and nhs dentists are like gold dust.

I haven't been to the dentist since I was about 13 (over twenty years ago). Haven't needed anything doing since then (knock on wood). As pp said, I can pull my own teeth if it comes down to it.

Unless your teeth are so loose a cough would bring them out , believe me you cannot pull your own tooth out .

Unfortunately over the years I have seen some horrific consequences where people have attempted to take their own teeth out, mostly due to fear of the dentist.

Despite being a dentist for many decades , having all the equipment , training and ability to numb people up really effectively , there have still been teeth that are more of a struggle than you would anticipate.

@Lollygaggle as a child I watched my dad pull one by dropping a weight over the door. It was half rotten though, so you're probably right.

It's because its expensive. When kids were little and I had free NHS dental care, I went religiously. Teeth were wonderful. My kids got to adulthood without needing any treatment, only check ups. I then started work and am over any help threshold. I can not afford to go unless its crucial. Ludicrous situation for a country that has 'free' healthcare at point of delivery..except dental.

I can't afford to go to a private one just for the hell.of it and ditto for the hygienist.

Heathy teeth hard to pull but one half rotten though I think most could manage though likely to leave the root.

My oldest is petrified of his dentist after she tried for over 30 minutes per tooth to remove some for braces and having to get another dentist in. Then she managed to damage his braces at a routine check up. I feel he will be an adult that doesn’t go till it’s half rotten due to experience like this. I also in a way wouldn’t blame him because four teeth being pulled at each for such a long time and then her failing every single one has taught him there are clearly unskilled dentists. He should
of been referred to hospital
or just had a more experienced dentist after her first two fails. The second dentists were giving out numbing injections like candy because she had been rooting around so long and hard.

Not been to the dentist since our NHS dentist went private during covid. Managed to get ds in an nhs one in a town 30 mins drive away but they were only accepting children for new patients.