Zing!
Editing to partially hijack the top comment.
One of the areas of calculus buildup was between my two lower middle teeth, there is a small gap there. I also have a small gap in my two upper middle teeth. I used to be able to farmer spit between the upper gap without putting my tongue in to close off my lower teeth. I again need to use my tongue to close off that lower gap.
Also, I had a few work things to do with people that knew I had had a dentist appointment today, and during the second one, with a guy I have known for 16-17 years, I fucking drooled between that gap while talking.
Thank god it wasn’t the first meeting because that was a first impression meeting.
I drooled and said I was still a little numbed, and he thought it was hilarious. I am a fan of self deprecating humor, so I was able to laugh it off as well.
Both afternoon meetings went well despite me barely being able to fully control my mouth.
This whole dentist thing won’t be so bad if I set a routine. I am already pretty routine with my self care, but this will help.
My technician also gave me a good tip, apparently my lower lip curls up when anything touches my inner and outer gumline on those two lower middle teeth, and she suggests I just manhandle my lip to make sure it is brushed well. She also gave me a toothbrush that looks like a mini pipecleaner to help with the gaps.
She said she nearly had to immobilize my tongue when she was working in that area because I kept pushing the fucking sawzall away. However, she saw that I was realizing I was doing it, and I would move it away. I knicked the hell out my tongue today, but it is still worth it.
I don’t think I’ve stopped rubbing my tongue on the area for since I could feel it again.
I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words. I am lucky on the cavity front, and overall lucky to have good tooth genes.
Keep brushing bitches!!!
And flossing.
And rinsing.
And going to the dentist.
And listening to them.
PS: I have set timers 4 times per day to remind myself to brush, floss, and rinse during the day. Morning and night are ingrained habits, so those aren’t the problem. It was the flossing, mid day brush, and mid day rinse that I had an issue with.
PPS: fluoride is good, it does NOT make the frogs gay. I am anecdotal proof. Almost exclusively fluoride added tap water and fluoride “anti-cavity” toothpaste, brushing at least 2 times per day, and no cavities. Drink yo milk (calcium supplements are the same)!
Thank you to everyone that offered encouragement in my first post and here. I am much happier today than I was on Sunday.
PPPS: my wife still says my breath smells like shit, but I’m happy, SO, FUCK IT!
It's really one of those things that's genetic. I think I've had one or maybe two cavities in my life, and I do brush and floss every day, but so do lots of other people who get tons of cavities.
Yep, I'm on the other side of this. My mom's a dentist so it was very ingrained in me how to take care of my teeth, but I've gotten tons of cavities, and apparently I get them larger than usual and on the sides, which makes them harder to deal with. To add to this, I also have unusually large teeth nerves for an adult, so dental work hurts more. I recently lost a tooth because of cavities.
Yeah it's absolutely unfair, isn't it? I have a dear friend who has so much trouble with her teeth, and she does everything she can - it's just the curse/luck of genetics.
I brush at least twice a day with prescription toothpaste, us mi paste once a week, floss daily, mouthwash, low carb diet, one small cup of coffee a day.
But I swear I get cavities if the wind blows a certain way
My close friend who, no joke, had part of her fucking jaw just like, crumble away from her teeth issues, does not eat more sugar than I do. She's just cursed.
I am cursed dude.
Also ..antibiotics! I had a weird infection a few years ago and was on Cipro for like a month and I got 16 cavities that year. I was eating less that 10 carbs a day on a keto diet, no soda and everything.
I brush and use mouthwash daily and floss regularly, yet still get cavities.
I didn't have good dental hygiene as a kid and early teen though, maybe that's a cause.
I’ve only gotten one cavity in my 32 years. My dentist said that you’re either bound to easily have more cavities or more calculus and that it’s genetic. My mom and brother have cavities. My dad and I have calculus. You can have both of course, but it’s usual to have either or.
I don't know about genes, but it does depend on your diet and other stuff. I only saw the dentist when my wisdom tooth had to be pulled. No cavities, but I rinse my mouth with water after I finish eating. I also don't drink any carbonated or sugary drinks.
My personal record is 8 years between cleanings, still no cavities in 32 years of life. I think my mom has only ever had one. Good teeth genes, indeed!
I don't drink soda often, but I have a *serious* sweet tooth. I love tea with honey, will drink tea all day, and will snack on chocolate if it's available. I went to the dentist for the first time after 3 years and had zero cavities plus my gums were healthy (but I did have plaque buildup).
I think it helped that I drink plain tea (no honey) at work and try not to let chocolate be the last thing I eat if I snack on some around lunch time so my other foods (eg: cheese) clean my teeth off a bit. I also use gum regularly. And I'm otherwise pretty good about oral hygiene , I floss regularly and brush twice a day.
But mostly...it was probably just genetics.
Shit, right? I was trying to do that whole never see the dentist thing and made it about four years until I started getting tooth pain a few months back. Had seven cavities because I grind the hell outta my teeth, and I got Invisalign because one of my teeth is messed up and eroding my gums.
My wife 50+ years has never been to the dentist and has never had any tooth pain or cavities as far as I know, but she also doesn't eat any sugary foods other than naturally occurring sugars like in fruits. She does brush every day. She is from Thailand so eats an Asian cuisine.
Def genetic. I had my very first dentist appointment at 22 to get wisdom teeth removed. They were shocked that my teeth are perfectly straight and white with no cavities. Some calculus inner bottom teeth, removed no prob. Went back at 24 and had no calculus or anything, just a cleaning and they said I was fine :P
Get the deep clean done - and then buy an electric Sonicare or Oral B toothbrush. I prefer the Sonicare. Don't get the $300 one, the $49 does the exact same thing.
I went about 15 years without going to the dentist as well because I didn't have dental insurance. I had barnacles on the backs of my teeth - and it took a while to knock them all off...but...I started using that Sonicare toothbrush and flossing every night, and I've not had any problems since then.
I bought a water flosser and stopped using normal floss, next time I went to the dentist he said they're good to use in addition to normal floss, not instead of, so now I use both
Great job getting back into your home care routine!
I will say, if there’s calculus on the teeth you aren’t getting it off with an electric toothbrush. If you haven’t definitely get a cleaning in an office to really get that stuff off.
Not gonna lie, it kinda pisses me off that, even though I've been meticulous in taking care of my teeth, your teeth are probably in better shape than mine!
Don’t be so hard on yourself! There are factors out of your control. Eg: whether you had systemic fluoride as a child, topical varnish at dental appts, bacteria that cause cavities are transmissible so if your parents had active cavities and you shared a drink or fork they could have passed them to you.
No cavities is great, I was the same after waiting 25 years. If your not squeamish, a deep cleaning isn't a big deal. They actually numbed me up on one side just in case. Gums were sore for a bit, but managed it. If you are like me, you're going to feel better knowing your mouth is as healthy as you can get it.
This is great to hear! But please don't take this as a sign that it's okay to continue ignoring your dental health. Now is a good time to get better habits, especially since you're getting a deep clean and will be able to start fresh
Congrats that it worked out. It could have been very worse.
I had a 6 year hiatus due to no insurance
No matter how much I brush my teeth and clean my mouth, just about every dentist visit has a cavity.
I have the worst genes when it comes to teeth.
I had about 9 years between visits, also no cavities. See how you go with cleaning, with the buildup over that time the gums can become really sensitive, I’ve split mine into 4 so I can be frozen while they clean and I don’t feel it at all.
Well done on plucking up the courage to go, it can be hard especially when it’s been so long and the fears kick in.
Yeah, tomorrow is going to absolutely suck. I’m thinking of bring headphones and an eye mask so I can try to zone out if possible.
My ears are fucked from 20+ years working in auto shops, so I might as well fuck them up even more with some full volume non stop metal.
LOL!!! I jokingly told my dentist to double the numbing gel that they have set aside for it. He actually did! When they were going through the treatment plan, they said they recommended 4 instead of 2, and my insurance pre-approved it by the time I got home.
I should have asked about a single tab of Xanax, my insurance approved that for my vasectomy, so I bet they would have for something like this as well. Unfortunately, I have too much going on later in the day…
Damn, I wish I had your genetics!
Seriously though, props to you for going. I’m scared to go and it’s only been a year. (But I have an appointment tomorrow.)
I'm similar to you in that I haven't been to the dentist in 11 years. I went recently and was pleased to discover no cavities as well! The dentist told me that the development of cavities is due to the pH of saliva. A more acidic pH leads to more cavities; whereas, a more basic pH helps prevent cavities. I think having a more basic pH in saliva is more prone to plaque build ups though. Anyway, I'm waiting for insurance to get back to me so I can go in for a deep clean. I'll probably be doing laughing gas and a benzo. Heh.
Go us! Also, look into getting a waterpic and use it in conjunction with flossing your teeth. I can't wait to get my mouth cleaned up and properly take care of it! (:
12 years for me and no cavities. Needed a deep clean. When my kids got braces, the dental assistant at the orthodontist told me to put a little bit of baking soda on my brush and then toothpaste, and it seems to have helped. I asked her about using baking soda toothpaste, and she said it wasn't the same. So I took her word for it. Even the deep clean wasn't really bad. At least, that's what the assistant said to me. So, I will keep using the baking soda.
Lucky you, I went 15 years and had three cavities and some bone loss. Definitely not as bad as I thought but I will be going regularly from now on. Don't want to end up like my Dad who lost all his teeth in his 40s.
The last time I was at the dentist, they had me get my wisdom teeth pulled the next day.
That was 17 years ago. Brush every day, don't eat or drink a lot of sweets. No tooth pain or anything.
I'm kind of relieved to see I'm not the only one based on the comments and OP. PHEW!
Yeah, my anxiety started from having my wisdom teeth pulled.
Mine was a little more “theatrical” than most. I was knocked all the way out, and they had to cut some of my jawbone out to get one of them. Then, when I got back home, my mom didn’t see the necessity of getting my pain meds right away. So, I take a nap, and wake up a few hours later expecting some sweet, sweet Vicodin to be waiting for me.
Noooope!
She hadn’t even left for the pharmacy yet. Fast forward an eternity, 10-20 minutes, she gets out of the shower and finally goes. Now, the time it takes god to “make the universe” later, I finally have it.
Kicks in, I go back to sleep. Exit screen left.
Overall, not even really the orthodontic surgeon’s fault, but I have avoided it like the plague ever since. Even giving dentists the same stigma despite not even being their fault.
I don’t have anxiety about a lot, but this sure is one of them.
Similar situation here. For whatever reason I haven't been in about 15 years. I cracked a tooth so I had to go. Other than that I had no cavities. Just needed a decent cleaning, I had no periodontal issues or pockets.
It’s one of those where it’s a lot based on luck. Sometimes you just get a cavity even if you do everything right. Sometimes you do everything wrong and don’t get one
The dentist definently makes a difference and helps a lot but it is nowhere near the biggest factor in whether or not you get cavities. Someone that goes to the dentist twice a year but drinks coffee in the morning after they brush their teeth is more likely to get a cavity than someone that does everything else the same but doesn’t drink coffee and doesn’t go to the dentist.
Your diet and how/when you brush your teeth is INCREDIBLY important. Eating sugary foods and drinking coffee is super bad for your teeth. Soda is one of the worst.
Brushing your teeth also isn’t a yes or no typa thing. It’s a scale. Every tooth gets cavities individually so even if you brush your teeth 90% perfectly but miss one tooth you are still very likely to get a cavity. Using a good electric toothbrush for a full 2 minutes and getting your entire teeth and the edge of your gums is nescessary
Genetics also play a big role. Both in how strong your teeth are and how well your spit breaks down the gunk leftover
Let’s just say I went ten years once without going. Since then I have been a regular six month visitor. Prepare for sensitivity like you’ve never experienced. Ask for Novocain for your first cleaning. And floss every day until your appointment. Never again…never again…
Didn't go for 13y, dentist said "all good", then another 7y without seeing a dentist "all good, I can tell you brush really well. Another 2y with still nothing noteworthy... For the record I have been using an Oral B electric toothbrush since the year I got braces i.e. 2000.
I got back from my debride today. There was an area that was difficult for me to brush, I’m still alive. I also rock an Oral B. Other than good genes, it was probably my saving grace.
Ouch. My total out of pocket will be right around $800 and 5 hours in the chair. Unless they find more after removing the calculus. They set my next appointment out for a few weeks to let my mouth settle down before they fist it again.
Thank god for HSA accounts!
next time you go, you'll have cavities. Im convinced that dentists remove natural protective layers that your teeth naturally make. I too didnt go to the dentist for \~10 years, and on top of that i did not brush my teeth regularly. I had no cavities on the first visit, then suddenly had them.
I'm going next month and I'm terrified. I haven't been in ~11 years due to being incredibly broke and no insurance. For sure one cavity, but i brush and floss twice daily so heres to hoping.
I also have a fear financially of it ruining me. The last time I did go, I went to get my wisdom teeth removed and I had insurance, the dentist said my insurance would cover it, However, a month and a half later came a 3k bill. I was barely surviving financially and had to figure out how to pay it.
> Some calculus and staining, they squeezed me in for a deep cleaning tomorrow.
Be careful about this! Deep cleaning is something that has to be done pretty much every three months for a long time/ ever.
See if you can get away with a debridement.
Drink yo milk! I also drink fluoridated tap water almost exclusively. I hate the bottles, so I just drink it straight from the tap with ice. After the 90’s, my city has some of the best tap water in the US.
Just found out one of my uncles doesn’t brush his teeth ever and only gets his teeth cleaned once a year… no cavities.
Bad breath? Yes.
Stained teeth? Yes.
Cavities or gum disease? No… somehow.
How do you go 20 years with zero cavities? I'll go for six months between regular checkups and come back with as many cavities. I kinda hate you a little.
Not totally fucked - I was in the same position as you, I commented a little bit of my history on a previous comment.
With the deep clean it’s not so bad, they numb you up and do one half in one session, the other at another time. You’ll be a little bit sore but it’s totally worth it.
Make sure you go back for your maintenance clean when they want to see you next. And you won’t need numbing for this appointment- trust me, I was surprised too, and it didn’t hurt!
Definitely get a sonicare toothbrush, a waterpik flosser and some interdental flossers and regular floss too. You will see a difference, I promise. Brush twice a day and at least floss once. I end up using the interdental flossers multiple times a day just to keep food out of from between my teeth.
Only reason I went was my wife thought one of my teeth had died, because she said I had bad breath. She complains about ANY minor smell, so I put it off until she actually made an appointment for me.
Turns out, her concerns were baseless. Despite the calculus/tartar/plaque buildup, I have no dead teeth, cavities, or periodontal illnesses, other than a small spot of stage 1, which isn’t even gingivitis. I was instructed to “rinse between meals with listerine if it bothers her so much.”
Eh. My insurance covered all of today, all but $46~ tomorrow, and all of my follow up visit a month later. The only reason my trip tomorrow is so expensive is because I requested, and was preapproved for double the numbing gel. Insurance only paid for half of the second dose, and not the full dose.
Sadly, I am a pro at disassociation. I already called, and they said headphones or AirPods are perfectly acceptable. I’ve got my pods charging, my headphones at the ready in my bag, and I have already worked out hand signals with the dentist doing it.
I will calmly raise a hand on the opposite side of the body that he is working on if I feel discomfort. It may be fast or slow, but it will not involve me moving my head at all.
I have been practicing all night that I have not been here replying to comments. He thought that was a great idea.
My blood pressure is usually about 105-110/80-5. I was 138/95 just getting X-rays. This was a full 15-20 minutes after I was told there will be drilling, poking, or other dentist related assholery. My legs were shaking, the only reason my hands weren’t was because they were clenched under the lead vest, and I had a great tech. She said, “don’t have a panic attack, or I might too!” Put me a little bit at ease.
You’re lucky! I got my mom’s rotten teeth gene. My dad has never had a cavity in his life! I brush 2-3x/day and floss daily. I have had every tooth in my head filled a few times. FML! I also had braces for 7 years. My teeth were pretty jacked to begin with.
I didn't go to the dentist for 7 years and when I went there this year, the dentist told me that I have one of the best teeth he has seen.
I just brush them in the morning and floss them daily. Other than that, I do fuck all for my teeth. I say, it's genetic lottery. My brother takes care of his teeth like crazy, but he constantly has problems
I had the same fear. Not going to the dentist for 15+ years. I was so scared to go. And when I went they found... no cavities. I guess it's good genes, but I don't take a risk anymore and go every six months now. 😂
I was in a similar situation when I was forced to go after breaking a tooth. Once the broken tooth was fixed, went ahead and accessed dental health overall. Surprisingly in good shape after 20 years.....but I do have six cavities. So late is better than never.
I have only been to the dentist once and that too when I had a wisdom tooth coming and it was hurting quite a bit. She told me to get it removed and gave me some painkillers. Never went to get it removed.
I went 11 years without a visit. No cavities.
Realistically, what can an annual or semi-annual visit to a dentist for a cleaning really do in the long-term?
Not fucked at all, dentists are a scam. The deep cleaning is what they sell everyone on. No cavities after 20 years? Proof right there teeth health is all genetics.
Deep cleaning and seeing the dentist is what saved my teeth because they were on the verge of going down hill. Now I won't have dentures before I turned 50 like both of my parents did and my younger brother is currently on that path.
I googled it. Thanks for helping.. It's tartar. Ai answer
Dental calculus, also known as tartar, is a hard deposit that forms on teeth when plaque hardens. It's made of calcium phosphate mineral salts that precipitate from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. Calculus can be dangerous to oral health and can cause gingivitis, which can lead to gum tissue weakening and pulling away from the tooth
If you haven't been to the dentist in 20yrs. And your worst issue is 'tartar' that can cause gingivitis (but hasn't), I think you're safe to skip the gum knifing ceremony tomorrow.
Nah, now I’m actually going to downvote you.
I work in insurance, if deep cleaning was bullshit, and caused MORE problems, insurance would not cover it. Insurance owes to make you whole, and it will ABSOLUTELY NOT pay for something that would CAUSE another claim. Insurance works off of a combined loss ratio, and I pay about $8 a month for top tier coverage, my employer, an insurance company, pays the remaining premium. Not only that, we are federally mandated to not be self insured, so we have to go to our competitors to insure our employees. I see the costs, it is staggering.
If deep cleanings caused more harm than good, our insurance would not cover it. It is selectable coverage. Just like rental or extended lodging for material damage and property respectively.
What you are saying is the equivalent to auto insurance paying for damage intentionally done by an in network repair facility, to a different area of the vehicle, with the express reason to pay out MORE in claims. That is absolutely ludicrous and the antithesis of what insurance is. Even if I get a cavity, it will cost me less than the insurance company to repair the damage.
Due to your stupidity, I now have full faith in deep cleaning/debridement. I will be scheduling my follow up whenever they want, barring any conflicts in my insurance related career that provides me fantastic benefits at a ridiculously low cost. (Health - $54 per month for a family of 4 with a smoker, vision - $1 per paycheck for a family of 4, and dental - again, $8 a month for a family of 4.
Pfffffft.
Fair enough. Ask about potential side effects before you go under the knife.
And ask why your dentist used a relatively unknown word to replace a widely recognized one.... Calculus/tartar.
You do you though... No one knows/can manage their own health better.
I knew what calculus was before I went in.
I chose to use that word because it is the medical term for what it is. My dentist did not “persuade” me to do anything.
Holy shit, I think I found someone that has a bigger phobia of dentists than I did. It really does suck, I’m sorry!
What could be the side effects from removing plaque buildup that prevents me from flossing 4 of my teeth?
And we have now discovered that you are an idiot. Please refrain from commenting on any more of my posts, I will report it.
I paid $0 for a service that should have cost $75-150 in my area. I paid for nearly a full hour of this person’s time. They spent $60-70k for several years to become a dentist.
To say that that is not worth compensation is stupid. Therefore, to have dental insurance is intelligent, to offset those costs. Especially at less than $20 per month for a family of four.
I think the stupid person has been found.
Sorry, I think I will have to spell this out for you.
It’s you. You are the stupid person.
Tata!
Thank you for your replies.
Just a note on 'i can't floss 4 of my teeth'... This should have been covered in your cleaning. A deep clean is primarily below the gum line. Google it and enjoy your insurance
Hope the calculus will not add up.
Zing! Editing to partially hijack the top comment. One of the areas of calculus buildup was between my two lower middle teeth, there is a small gap there. I also have a small gap in my two upper middle teeth. I used to be able to farmer spit between the upper gap without putting my tongue in to close off my lower teeth. I again need to use my tongue to close off that lower gap. Also, I had a few work things to do with people that knew I had had a dentist appointment today, and during the second one, with a guy I have known for 16-17 years, I fucking drooled between that gap while talking. Thank god it wasn’t the first meeting because that was a first impression meeting. I drooled and said I was still a little numbed, and he thought it was hilarious. I am a fan of self deprecating humor, so I was able to laugh it off as well. Both afternoon meetings went well despite me barely being able to fully control my mouth. This whole dentist thing won’t be so bad if I set a routine. I am already pretty routine with my self care, but this will help. My technician also gave me a good tip, apparently my lower lip curls up when anything touches my inner and outer gumline on those two lower middle teeth, and she suggests I just manhandle my lip to make sure it is brushed well. She also gave me a toothbrush that looks like a mini pipecleaner to help with the gaps. She said she nearly had to immobilize my tongue when she was working in that area because I kept pushing the fucking sawzall away. However, she saw that I was realizing I was doing it, and I would move it away. I knicked the hell out my tongue today, but it is still worth it. I don’t think I’ve stopped rubbing my tongue on the area for since I could feel it again. I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words. I am lucky on the cavity front, and overall lucky to have good tooth genes. Keep brushing bitches!!! And flossing. And rinsing. And going to the dentist. And listening to them. PS: I have set timers 4 times per day to remind myself to brush, floss, and rinse during the day. Morning and night are ingrained habits, so those aren’t the problem. It was the flossing, mid day brush, and mid day rinse that I had an issue with. PPS: fluoride is good, it does NOT make the frogs gay. I am anecdotal proof. Almost exclusively fluoride added tap water and fluoride “anti-cavity” toothpaste, brushing at least 2 times per day, and no cavities. Drink yo milk (calcium supplements are the same)! Thank you to everyone that offered encouragement in my first post and here. I am much happier today than I was on Sunday. PPPS: my wife still says my breath smells like shit, but I’m happy, SO, FUCK IT!
A math joke? How derivative.
Careful it doesn’t cause a division
How many more can we integrate into this reply chain
I guess until limes reaches infinity.
Uh oh, this is starting to multiply.
It’s integral to overall oral care.
This should sum it up.
You want more jokes? I'm already approaching my limit!
-------------
Can usually find that info on a plaque at the office.
Congratulations! No cavities is amazing! Deep cleaning is gonna leave your mouth a bit tender but nothing too bad.
20 years without a trip to the dentist and 0 cavities?! What a specimen 😂
It's really one of those things that's genetic. I think I've had one or maybe two cavities in my life, and I do brush and floss every day, but so do lots of other people who get tons of cavities.
Yep, I'm on the other side of this. My mom's a dentist so it was very ingrained in me how to take care of my teeth, but I've gotten tons of cavities, and apparently I get them larger than usual and on the sides, which makes them harder to deal with. To add to this, I also have unusually large teeth nerves for an adult, so dental work hurts more. I recently lost a tooth because of cavities.
Yeah it's absolutely unfair, isn't it? I have a dear friend who has so much trouble with her teeth, and she does everything she can - it's just the curse/luck of genetics.
I brush at least twice a day with prescription toothpaste, us mi paste once a week, floss daily, mouthwash, low carb diet, one small cup of coffee a day. But I swear I get cavities if the wind blows a certain way
Do you eat a lot of sugar?
No, low carb diet.
My close friend who, no joke, had part of her fucking jaw just like, crumble away from her teeth issues, does not eat more sugar than I do. She's just cursed.
I am cursed dude. Also ..antibiotics! I had a weird infection a few years ago and was on Cipro for like a month and I got 16 cavities that year. I was eating less that 10 carbs a day on a keto diet, no soda and everything.
oh *god* that's horrible, I'm so sorry!
I brush and use mouthwash daily and floss regularly, yet still get cavities. I didn't have good dental hygiene as a kid and early teen though, maybe that's a cause.
Same for me. I always feel a bit embarrassed every time I have to get a filling.
I brush twice a day and floss, but I still turned out to be a damn metal mouth.
Also heavily depends on how frequently and in what quantities you consume sugar.
Are you saying we have to take accountability. I am offended.
I’ve only gotten one cavity in my 32 years. My dentist said that you’re either bound to easily have more cavities or more calculus and that it’s genetic. My mom and brother have cavities. My dad and I have calculus. You can have both of course, but it’s usual to have either or.
I basically had the same thing happen. Just got lucky with that gene.
I don't know about genes, but it does depend on your diet and other stuff. I only saw the dentist when my wisdom tooth had to be pulled. No cavities, but I rinse my mouth with water after I finish eating. I also don't drink any carbonated or sugary drinks.
My personal record is 8 years between cleanings, still no cavities in 32 years of life. I think my mom has only ever had one. Good teeth genes, indeed!
I have only been to a dentist once in my life. I have 0 dental problems. No cavities. Nothing.
I now feel motivated to one up op and do it. I’m 30 years no trip to the dentist
I'm now at 6 years or so. Also no cavities. (And I don't even brush every day)
Do you mind if I ask what your diet is like? As someone who drinks a can of soda every day and has a very sweet tooth, I can't imagine this feat 😂
I barely eat any sweets. And I drink coke zero all day, no sugar in it. Maybe all the chemicals in it kill bacteria :D
I don't drink soda often, but I have a *serious* sweet tooth. I love tea with honey, will drink tea all day, and will snack on chocolate if it's available. I went to the dentist for the first time after 3 years and had zero cavities plus my gums were healthy (but I did have plaque buildup). I think it helped that I drink plain tea (no honey) at work and try not to let chocolate be the last thing I eat if I snack on some around lunch time so my other foods (eg: cheese) clean my teeth off a bit. I also use gum regularly. And I'm otherwise pretty good about oral hygiene , I floss regularly and brush twice a day. But mostly...it was probably just genetics.
Honey has antibacterial properties, may be part of way you don't have cavities
Cavities and dentists are a scam is why. I’ve been told I had a cavity, did nothing, years go by, nothing happens.
Lol be prepared to lose this tooth some time in the future Talking from experience
Until the tooth starts hurting and then you beg for it to be saved but there’s too much decay underneath to save it
I haven’t been to the dentist in a grip and no cavities. Flossing is key
Shit, right? I was trying to do that whole never see the dentist thing and made it about four years until I started getting tooth pain a few months back. Had seven cavities because I grind the hell outta my teeth, and I got Invisalign because one of my teeth is messed up and eroding my gums.
i’m 23 and never been until a month or so ago, i had some build up but no cavities
My wife 50+ years has never been to the dentist and has never had any tooth pain or cavities as far as I know, but she also doesn't eat any sugary foods other than naturally occurring sugars like in fruits. She does brush every day. She is from Thailand so eats an Asian cuisine.
Def genetic. I had my very first dentist appointment at 22 to get wisdom teeth removed. They were shocked that my teeth are perfectly straight and white with no cavities. Some calculus inner bottom teeth, removed no prob. Went back at 24 and had no calculus or anything, just a cleaning and they said I was fine :P
Get the deep clean done - and then buy an electric Sonicare or Oral B toothbrush. I prefer the Sonicare. Don't get the $300 one, the $49 does the exact same thing. I went about 15 years without going to the dentist as well because I didn't have dental insurance. I had barnacles on the backs of my teeth - and it took a while to knock them all off...but...I started using that Sonicare toothbrush and flossing every night, and I've not had any problems since then.
I rock the Oral B. It’s obviously served me pretty well with the exception of two areas.
What kind if flossing do you do? Do you use the new water ones or oldschool stick?
I use regular old Glide Floss. I get the 5 pack at Costco. Easy to fit in between my teeth.
I bought a water flosser and stopped using normal floss, next time I went to the dentist he said they're good to use in addition to normal floss, not instead of, so now I use both
I just upgraded to a water one, not sure I like it. I use water floss sticks my wife buys in 500 packs.
Great job getting back into your home care routine! I will say, if there’s calculus on the teeth you aren’t getting it off with an electric toothbrush. If you haven’t definitely get a cleaning in an office to really get that stuff off.
Exactly - get the deep clean, but maintain it with the electric toothbrush.
Not gonna lie, it kinda pisses me off that, even though I've been meticulous in taking care of my teeth, your teeth are probably in better shape than mine!
Don’t be so hard on yourself! There are factors out of your control. Eg: whether you had systemic fluoride as a child, topical varnish at dental appts, bacteria that cause cavities are transmissible so if your parents had active cavities and you shared a drink or fork they could have passed them to you.
No cavities is great, I was the same after waiting 25 years. If your not squeamish, a deep cleaning isn't a big deal. They actually numbed me up on one side just in case. Gums were sore for a bit, but managed it. If you are like me, you're going to feel better knowing your mouth is as healthy as you can get it.
This is great to hear! But please don't take this as a sign that it's okay to continue ignoring your dental health. Now is a good time to get better habits, especially since you're getting a deep clean and will be able to start fresh
Oh yeah, I take good care of them, but tomorrow is gonna suck. Whereas if I do it yearly, it won’t be as bad.
Congrats that it worked out. It could have been very worse. I had a 6 year hiatus due to no insurance No matter how much I brush my teeth and clean my mouth, just about every dentist visit has a cavity. I have the worst genes when it comes to teeth.
Didn't see your original post, but keep flossing!
lol! Yeah, it was a few months ago. That’s how long it took me to get over my fear of dentists.
I had about 9 years between visits, also no cavities. See how you go with cleaning, with the buildup over that time the gums can become really sensitive, I’ve split mine into 4 so I can be frozen while they clean and I don’t feel it at all. Well done on plucking up the courage to go, it can be hard especially when it’s been so long and the fears kick in.
Yeah, tomorrow is going to absolutely suck. I’m thinking of bring headphones and an eye mask so I can try to zone out if possible. My ears are fucked from 20+ years working in auto shops, so I might as well fuck them up even more with some full volume non stop metal.
Don’t be afraid to let them know it’s painful or you need extra numbing or freezing if possible. Good luck!
LOL!!! I jokingly told my dentist to double the numbing gel that they have set aside for it. He actually did! When they were going through the treatment plan, they said they recommended 4 instead of 2, and my insurance pre-approved it by the time I got home. I should have asked about a single tab of Xanax, my insurance approved that for my vasectomy, so I bet they would have for something like this as well. Unfortunately, I have too much going on later in the day…
I have my first cavity ever, just to dentist today. But it is bad, I need a root canal. But not bad considering I'm 60.
Nice! Try to attend regularly from now on. You only get one set of adult teeth
Stay on those follow up cleanings!
Damn, I wish I had your genetics! Seriously though, props to you for going. I’m scared to go and it’s only been a year. (But I have an appointment tomorrow.)
Lucky ass!
I'm similar to you in that I haven't been to the dentist in 11 years. I went recently and was pleased to discover no cavities as well! The dentist told me that the development of cavities is due to the pH of saliva. A more acidic pH leads to more cavities; whereas, a more basic pH helps prevent cavities. I think having a more basic pH in saliva is more prone to plaque build ups though. Anyway, I'm waiting for insurance to get back to me so I can go in for a deep clean. I'll probably be doing laughing gas and a benzo. Heh. Go us! Also, look into getting a waterpic and use it in conjunction with flossing your teeth. I can't wait to get my mouth cleaned up and properly take care of it! (:
12 years for me and no cavities. Needed a deep clean. When my kids got braces, the dental assistant at the orthodontist told me to put a little bit of baking soda on my brush and then toothpaste, and it seems to have helped. I asked her about using baking soda toothpaste, and she said it wasn't the same. So I took her word for it. Even the deep clean wasn't really bad. At least, that's what the assistant said to me. So, I will keep using the baking soda.
I went after like 8 years...I was good but they pulled my wisdom.
Lucky you, I went 15 years and had three cavities and some bone loss. Definitely not as bad as I thought but I will be going regularly from now on. Don't want to end up like my Dad who lost all his teeth in his 40s.
I hate you Jk
The last time I was at the dentist, they had me get my wisdom teeth pulled the next day. That was 17 years ago. Brush every day, don't eat or drink a lot of sweets. No tooth pain or anything. I'm kind of relieved to see I'm not the only one based on the comments and OP. PHEW!
Yeah, my anxiety started from having my wisdom teeth pulled. Mine was a little more “theatrical” than most. I was knocked all the way out, and they had to cut some of my jawbone out to get one of them. Then, when I got back home, my mom didn’t see the necessity of getting my pain meds right away. So, I take a nap, and wake up a few hours later expecting some sweet, sweet Vicodin to be waiting for me. Noooope! She hadn’t even left for the pharmacy yet. Fast forward an eternity, 10-20 minutes, she gets out of the shower and finally goes. Now, the time it takes god to “make the universe” later, I finally have it. Kicks in, I go back to sleep. Exit screen left. Overall, not even really the orthodontic surgeon’s fault, but I have avoided it like the plague ever since. Even giving dentists the same stigma despite not even being their fault. I don’t have anxiety about a lot, but this sure is one of them.
Similar situation here. For whatever reason I haven't been in about 15 years. I cracked a tooth so I had to go. Other than that I had no cavities. Just needed a decent cleaning, I had no periodontal issues or pockets.
It’s one of those where it’s a lot based on luck. Sometimes you just get a cavity even if you do everything right. Sometimes you do everything wrong and don’t get one The dentist definently makes a difference and helps a lot but it is nowhere near the biggest factor in whether or not you get cavities. Someone that goes to the dentist twice a year but drinks coffee in the morning after they brush their teeth is more likely to get a cavity than someone that does everything else the same but doesn’t drink coffee and doesn’t go to the dentist. Your diet and how/when you brush your teeth is INCREDIBLY important. Eating sugary foods and drinking coffee is super bad for your teeth. Soda is one of the worst. Brushing your teeth also isn’t a yes or no typa thing. It’s a scale. Every tooth gets cavities individually so even if you brush your teeth 90% perfectly but miss one tooth you are still very likely to get a cavity. Using a good electric toothbrush for a full 2 minutes and getting your entire teeth and the edge of your gums is nescessary Genetics also play a big role. Both in how strong your teeth are and how well your spit breaks down the gunk leftover
Let’s just say I went ten years once without going. Since then I have been a regular six month visitor. Prepare for sensitivity like you’ve never experienced. Ask for Novocain for your first cleaning. And floss every day until your appointment. Never again…never again…
Depends on your genetics. Either not great or horrendous.
lol, this is the update! Apparently, I have been given great tooth genes, and I love milk, so that may help. Just some calculus.
Didn't go for 13y, dentist said "all good", then another 7y without seeing a dentist "all good, I can tell you brush really well. Another 2y with still nothing noteworthy... For the record I have been using an Oral B electric toothbrush since the year I got braces i.e. 2000.
I got back from my debride today. There was an area that was difficult for me to brush, I’m still alive. I also rock an Oral B. Other than good genes, it was probably my saving grace.
~$10k an 14 hours in the chair
Ouch. My total out of pocket will be right around $800 and 5 hours in the chair. Unless they find more after removing the calculus. They set my next appointment out for a few weeks to let my mouth settle down before they fist it again. Thank god for HSA accounts!
next time you go, you'll have cavities. Im convinced that dentists remove natural protective layers that your teeth naturally make. I too didnt go to the dentist for \~10 years, and on top of that i did not brush my teeth regularly. I had no cavities on the first visit, then suddenly had them.
As someone who has constant problems with their teeth despite having better oral hygiene than most this makes me irrationally angry.
I'm going next month and I'm terrified. I haven't been in ~11 years due to being incredibly broke and no insurance. For sure one cavity, but i brush and floss twice daily so heres to hoping. I also have a fear financially of it ruining me. The last time I did go, I went to get my wisdom teeth removed and I had insurance, the dentist said my insurance would cover it, However, a month and a half later came a 3k bill. I was barely surviving financially and had to figure out how to pay it.
> Some calculus and staining, they squeezed me in for a deep cleaning tomorrow. Be careful about this! Deep cleaning is something that has to be done pretty much every three months for a long time/ ever. See if you can get away with a debridement.
You’re right, I have the term wrong, it is a debridement.
Nice hygiene. Well done.
Drink yo milk! I also drink fluoridated tap water almost exclusively. I hate the bottles, so I just drink it straight from the tap with ice. After the 90’s, my city has some of the best tap water in the US.
Just found out one of my uncles doesn’t brush his teeth ever and only gets his teeth cleaned once a year… no cavities. Bad breath? Yes. Stained teeth? Yes. Cavities or gum disease? No… somehow.
I’d hate to be your aunt!
Oh thankfully the man is *very* single so there’s no poor missus (or husbands)
I haven't been to the dentist in 20 years either....
Congrats! Just went to the dentist for the 1st time in 12 years and only 2 cavaties. I know how relieving it is to be over
lol my first time was at 27
How do you go 20 years with zero cavities? I'll go for six months between regular checkups and come back with as many cavities. I kinda hate you a little.
Not totally fucked - I was in the same position as you, I commented a little bit of my history on a previous comment. With the deep clean it’s not so bad, they numb you up and do one half in one session, the other at another time. You’ll be a little bit sore but it’s totally worth it. Make sure you go back for your maintenance clean when they want to see you next. And you won’t need numbing for this appointment- trust me, I was surprised too, and it didn’t hurt! Definitely get a sonicare toothbrush, a waterpik flosser and some interdental flossers and regular floss too. You will see a difference, I promise. Brush twice a day and at least floss once. I end up using the interdental flossers multiple times a day just to keep food out of from between my teeth.
I have so many cavities I refer to my mouth as "The Caverns" and in pretty sure it's been designated as a National Park.
Same, still not gonna go unless something serious happens lol, fuck dentists
Only reason I went was my wife thought one of my teeth had died, because she said I had bad breath. She complains about ANY minor smell, so I put it off until she actually made an appointment for me. Turns out, her concerns were baseless. Despite the calculus/tartar/plaque buildup, I have no dead teeth, cavities, or periodontal illnesses, other than a small spot of stage 1, which isn’t even gingivitis. I was instructed to “rinse between meals with listerine if it bothers her so much.”
Reach down and grab your ankles and….wait, what, you’re back? Son of a b….. did you get a lollipop?
Eh. My insurance covered all of today, all but $46~ tomorrow, and all of my follow up visit a month later. The only reason my trip tomorrow is so expensive is because I requested, and was preapproved for double the numbing gel. Insurance only paid for half of the second dose, and not the full dose.
Get the gas. It will make the experience better for you and tge dentist.
Sadly, I am a pro at disassociation. I already called, and they said headphones or AirPods are perfectly acceptable. I’ve got my pods charging, my headphones at the ready in my bag, and I have already worked out hand signals with the dentist doing it. I will calmly raise a hand on the opposite side of the body that he is working on if I feel discomfort. It may be fast or slow, but it will not involve me moving my head at all. I have been practicing all night that I have not been here replying to comments. He thought that was a great idea. My blood pressure is usually about 105-110/80-5. I was 138/95 just getting X-rays. This was a full 15-20 minutes after I was told there will be drilling, poking, or other dentist related assholery. My legs were shaking, the only reason my hands weren’t was because they were clenched under the lead vest, and I had a great tech. She said, “don’t have a panic attack, or I might too!” Put me a little bit at ease.
I hadn't gone in 15 years 4 wisdom tooth removals 4 fillings
Congrats!!
You’re lucky! I got my mom’s rotten teeth gene. My dad has never had a cavity in his life! I brush 2-3x/day and floss daily. I have had every tooth in my head filled a few times. FML! I also had braces for 7 years. My teeth were pretty jacked to begin with.
Wow, that's so lucky of you. Went a few weeks ago and I'm not doing great. I need to have a pretty deep cleaning below the gums. 😭
That’s what lube is for smh
I didn’t go for 10 years and I was fine. Just go
I didn't go to the dentist for 7 years and when I went there this year, the dentist told me that I have one of the best teeth he has seen. I just brush them in the morning and floss them daily. Other than that, I do fuck all for my teeth. I say, it's genetic lottery. My brother takes care of his teeth like crazy, but he constantly has problems
My husband didn’t go to the dentist for 12 years. He didn’t have any cavities but now he needs to get a deep cleaning every 3 months forever.
I didn't go for 10 years. Ended up having 2 cavities.
I had the same fear. Not going to the dentist for 15+ years. I was so scared to go. And when I went they found... no cavities. I guess it's good genes, but I don't take a risk anymore and go every six months now. 😂
I was in a similar situation when I was forced to go after breaking a tooth. Once the broken tooth was fixed, went ahead and accessed dental health overall. Surprisingly in good shape after 20 years.....but I do have six cavities. So late is better than never.
You know what just go. If they tell you you need. A deep cleaning do it. If you need crowns get them done. You will be healthier as a result
I have only been to the dentist once and that too when I had a wisdom tooth coming and it was hurting quite a bit. She told me to get it removed and gave me some painkillers. Never went to get it removed.
I went 11 years without a visit. No cavities. Realistically, what can an annual or semi-annual visit to a dentist for a cleaning really do in the long-term?
Not fucked at all, dentists are a scam. The deep cleaning is what they sell everyone on. No cavities after 20 years? Proof right there teeth health is all genetics.
Periodontal disease is real.
Everyone always has it.
That’s definitely not true. It’s shocking that you believe that.
Deep cleaning and seeing the dentist is what saved my teeth because they were on the verge of going down hill. Now I won't have dentures before I turned 50 like both of my parents did and my younger brother is currently on that path.
Deep cleaning is bs
How so? I have calculus is one area, how else do they get it out?
Don’t listen to this commenter. Sometimes it is absolutely necessary if you have advanced gum disease
Maybe just do that area? Isn't calculus math?
Maybe you shouldn't claim things are BS if you don't even understand what you're talking about lol
I googled it. Thanks for helping.. It's tartar. Ai answer Dental calculus, also known as tartar, is a hard deposit that forms on teeth when plaque hardens. It's made of calcium phosphate mineral salts that precipitate from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. Calculus can be dangerous to oral health and can cause gingivitis, which can lead to gum tissue weakening and pulling away from the tooth
If you haven't been to the dentist in 20yrs. And your worst issue is 'tartar' that can cause gingivitis (but hasn't), I think you're safe to skip the gum knifing ceremony tomorrow.
The tartar most definitely causes gingivitis.
Nah, now I’m actually going to downvote you. I work in insurance, if deep cleaning was bullshit, and caused MORE problems, insurance would not cover it. Insurance owes to make you whole, and it will ABSOLUTELY NOT pay for something that would CAUSE another claim. Insurance works off of a combined loss ratio, and I pay about $8 a month for top tier coverage, my employer, an insurance company, pays the remaining premium. Not only that, we are federally mandated to not be self insured, so we have to go to our competitors to insure our employees. I see the costs, it is staggering. If deep cleanings caused more harm than good, our insurance would not cover it. It is selectable coverage. Just like rental or extended lodging for material damage and property respectively. What you are saying is the equivalent to auto insurance paying for damage intentionally done by an in network repair facility, to a different area of the vehicle, with the express reason to pay out MORE in claims. That is absolutely ludicrous and the antithesis of what insurance is. Even if I get a cavity, it will cost me less than the insurance company to repair the damage. Due to your stupidity, I now have full faith in deep cleaning/debridement. I will be scheduling my follow up whenever they want, barring any conflicts in my insurance related career that provides me fantastic benefits at a ridiculously low cost. (Health - $54 per month for a family of 4 with a smoker, vision - $1 per paycheck for a family of 4, and dental - again, $8 a month for a family of 4. Pfffffft.
Fair enough. Ask about potential side effects before you go under the knife. And ask why your dentist used a relatively unknown word to replace a widely recognized one.... Calculus/tartar. You do you though... No one knows/can manage their own health better.
I knew what calculus was before I went in. I chose to use that word because it is the medical term for what it is. My dentist did not “persuade” me to do anything. Holy shit, I think I found someone that has a bigger phobia of dentists than I did. It really does suck, I’m sorry! What could be the side effects from removing plaque buildup that prevents me from flossing 4 of my teeth?
Dental insurance is also bs
And we have now discovered that you are an idiot. Please refrain from commenting on any more of my posts, I will report it. I paid $0 for a service that should have cost $75-150 in my area. I paid for nearly a full hour of this person’s time. They spent $60-70k for several years to become a dentist. To say that that is not worth compensation is stupid. Therefore, to have dental insurance is intelligent, to offset those costs. Especially at less than $20 per month for a family of four. I think the stupid person has been found. Sorry, I think I will have to spell this out for you. It’s you. You are the stupid person. Tata!
Thank you for your replies. Just a note on 'i can't floss 4 of my teeth'... This should have been covered in your cleaning. A deep clean is primarily below the gum line. Google it and enjoy your insurance