The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I don't mind going to my dentist, really I don't. Except that it always costs so much as there aren't any NHS dentists with spaces in our town. My lovely dentist always commends me on the condition of my teeth, then goes on to recommend a visit to the hygienist (does anyone else's do this?). I wouldn't mind, but a hygienist appointment costs the same as a week's groceries! Last Saturday, Rosie and I went for our usual check-up and Nigel told us that out of all the people he sees, only 5% of them have clean teeth (I was at this) and that we were near the top of that group. I was really pleased because we don't do anything special, except that neither of us really eat many sweets. We brush twice a day with our OralB electric toothbrushes and use Aloe Dent Aloe Vera toothpaste. Life is far too short for flossing unless it's absolutely necessary, so we don't do much of that either. Anyone else have positive feedback from their dentist trip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Me. I haven't had any new fillings in over 30 years....just one replaced because it fell out. We are very lucky as we have a super NHS dentist. His list of NHS patients is full to bursting point though. He is so good that Him Indoors fell asleep when having root canal work done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantambabe Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My hygienist and dentist (joint visit) always commend me on my clean teeth (Oral B electric brush and sensodyne for me) and then suggest I come again in 6 months. £94 for 10 mins - Kerrching! Thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I did last time I went, literally in there for 3 minutes and said just to keep on wearing retainers and my teeth were nice and straight. I don't do anything fancy either, just clean my teeth really well with some Aquafresh toothpaste, a normal toothbrush, (usually with a smaller head as my mouth's quite small), then swirl round some mouthwash and put my retainers it at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've not had a filling for years either (just a repaired one recently - £13 odd ). I do get ticked off for not flossing regularly but I don't get sent to the hygienist so my teeth can't be too bad . The boys just get told to floss too (but I agree, life's too short ). Electric toothbrush here too - since I started using one I've had no signs of gingivitus (sp?) which I was occasionally prone to before . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I did until a couple of years back when I was told that I had a cavity between 2 of my molars. I am off to have it filled in the morning My children get ok reports especially ED No fillings for any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've not had any fillings for 20-odd years either. My childhood dentist must have filled for no reason as all my fillings dated from that period. I have had all but one of the amalgam fillings replaced with white ones as they started to deteriorate. Nigel is fantastic, you get 'film goggles' when he does any works (so you can watch a movie) and he always remembers to use the anaesthetic without adrenaline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 "film goggles" ? wow !! I've never heard of that before - what a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 oooh, I might invest in an electric toothbrush now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I do like my dentist but then, he was a friend before he was my dentist - if you see what I mean. The only thing is that I always feel really guilty about how much sweet stuff I eat and, I swear he knows just how bad I am! After my first pregnancy, he asked if I had had a craving for chocolate during the pregnancy at which point I had to admit that I had had a craving for chocolate thoughout my life! He is very gentle though and doesn't give me too much actual grief about my bad oral hygiene. That reminds me - I must organise my check up..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Been seeing my dentist since I was a child (now 35) he see's my children too. I've never had anything done, no fillings etc. I occassionally have to have a quick s"Ooops, word censored!"e but that's all. I have never flossed in my life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My dentist seems ok. I was lucky to get an NHS one when we moved. I have never had a filling (yet!) but that was due to being afraid of my mum.....she's a dental hygienist! The phrase "don't come running to me for sympathy when your teeth have rotted out of your head" still rings in my ears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 oooh, I might invest in an electric toothbrush now! You'll never look back Dear - they're brilliant and so much better for your teeth. I resisted for years, then when I met Phil (who has beautiful teeth), we were talking about them (as you do with a new beau ) he found a brand new head for his toothbrush and let me use it for a while. Well that was it... me smitten by The Boy and his toothbrush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Well if your mum's a dental hygienist, Looney, I'd expect nothing less! My (NHS) dentist is great, I see him once a year but I do see the hygienist every six months and I really need to - for some reason, and believe me it's not because I don't clean very very carefully, I get a lot of plaque build-up. I used to think I was being ripped off, but I've learned to accept that actually I do need to see the hygienist that often. She is a grumpy, dour Frenchwoman who always tells me off. When I had to go and see a private dental surgeon for my dental implant I was bowled over, because he complimented me on how good my cleaning was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Don't start me on that I got back from the periodontist today - £250 lighter - a month ago I paid him £600 and the previous appointment was another couple of hundred. My teeth are still perfect, not a single filling. Gums are looking better In six months time we will then be looking at bone regeneration surgery - and orthodontal work. Frankly I'm NEVER going to be able to afford that boob job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Anyone else have happy dentist stories? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Yeh! I really like my dentist. She's only been qualified a few years and she is so nice. She makes me feel very relaxed and she remembers my children and their interests too. The only thing I could ever complain about is how long it takes to get an appointment. They arrive months beforehand. At least they now ring you the day before to remind you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Me. I haven't had any new fillings in over 30 years....just one replaced because it fell out. We are very lucky as we have a super NHS dentist. His list of NHS patients is full to bursting point though. He is so good that Him Indoors fell asleep when having root canal work done. I would relocate for a dentist that good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 Mine texts two days prior to remind me. I book our 6 monthly check up 6 months ahead and because I ask for the first appt on a Saturday, he's often already been booked. Rosie has big white teeth like me, but he jaw is wider, so she won't suffer the overcrowding that I do. One day, if I have the cash, I will get mine braced and straightened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I was very lucky as a child and had a dentist that was obsessive about not doing work unless absolutely necessary and doing the smallest filling possible rather than drilling huge holes. I always get commended on my teeth then an automatic referral to the hygientist who again compliments me on how clean my teeth are so I only go about every other time I get a referal. I think it's the alternative way of making extra money now they know we are wise to the un-necessary fillings scam. The referring dentist gets commission from the hygienist. My dentist is good but despite needing almost nothing done it seems to cost a fortune but his surgery is always full of the latest gadgets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Lucky you - my childhood dentist was the opposite and I have a few fillings that I may not, with hindsight, have needed - however the water in the area wasn't fluoridated, and whatever your views on that it does affect dental health! My dentist now is a joy, very skilful and pleasant (with twinkly blue eyes to boot). When I was pregnant with DS1 and DS2, I had a filled tooth shatter during each pregnancy . He bent the rules so that they could be sorted out while I didn't have so much to pay. In fact the rules were ridiculous - NHS would only cover amalgam fillings for pregnant women, but you shouldn't put in amalgam during a pregnancy, and my teeth had to be sorted out then and there - so he rebuilt them with the white resin, and oly charged the difference. I'm sure he shouldn't officially have done that, but there wasn't much choice. He's the only dentist my DSs have ever seen and always very complimentary about our clean teeth. He's also my Dad's dentist, and has sorted out years of problems and cured my Dad of his nerves about dentists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I've not had to have any new fillings for years but when I was a child I cracked my front teeth on the school climbing frame and a few years ago they started to crumble so I've had a big filling on both the front teeth. I'd like to get them properly done but the last before 1 dentist I saw wanted to charge me £8,000 and do the whole lot! My teeth aren't that bad. I like my dentist and the kid's dentist is really nice. They put us all at ease. Unfortunately they aren't NHS any more. None of my children have had fillings but the youngest is probably going to need a brace or some work. He grinds his teeth and the baby ones he has left are looking very small. We all use electric toothbrushes and I must be wierd as I like flossing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Ahh I always wondered who actually flossed!! I only floss if I've got something stuck between my teeth!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I was also in the era of dentists who filled everything and so most of mine are filled and really thinking about it I prob never needed all this but now I have bad teeth really and just a case of keeping them going! I use a sonic toothbrush and it gives the teeth the feel of a dentist clean and is wonderful cannot use it near someone with a pace maker though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 I reckon that those dentists from 40 years ago got a commission for each filling they did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
