How long is too long?

paddyland

I haven't visited a dentist in fifteen years!

The last time, I had a particularly difficult extraction of a tooth that was wasted to nothing. The tooth was removed with difficulty, but painlessly. Unfortunately there was a lot of blood loss, causing me to feel violently sick afterwards, and pass out in the waiting room. I gave the other waiting patients a nasty shock!

That experience put me off, but I know it was exceptional. However one other thing the dentist proposed lingers in my mind. I have two top molars, one each side, that are pointing inwards. They are secure and in good shape, and have caused me no trouble at all in those fifteen years. But at the time, the dentist tried to push them apart, and recommended me to push them with my fingers every day in an effort to put them back where they belong. He also recommended regular visits to have this done. Now the other surrounding teeth on each side have grown in such a way that there is no space to push the two offending molars back into. It would appear, then and now, to be a futile exercise.

The point of my post is, I have neglected my teeth for fifteen years, except that they have been brushed regularly, and apart from a little tartar buildup, are causing no problems. I am probably due a dentist visit just to have a check over, and maybe a cleanup. But I don't want a dentist to start going into rigmarole about realigning my teeth, and other nonsense. I can't afford it anyway, I could barely scrape together the fee for one single visit. Are such things really necessary, if I am in no pain, and everything appears to be in working order? I've had fifteen years without a dentist visit, and seem to do okay.

alanatoday

I hadn't been to the dentist for 2 and half years up to last summer (only one fillling up to then). Same situation as you, no pain, very little tartar build up.

Move on 10 months and I've had 8 fillings (3 very deep, but no root canals needed, thank goodness) and my teeth cleaned. My point is that I left it too long to visit dentist and I payed big time (in terms of my teeth and my pocket).

I say get yourself to a dentist as soon as possible because having no pain, IMO, doesn't mean you have healthy teeth.

ballsymchugh

paddyland, i think the conversation between you and the dentist would go something along the lines of

dentist: hi, everything ok? what brought you in?
you: hello, i just want a check up.
dentist: grand. does anything about your teeth bother you?
you: no.
dentist: well, from what i can see (and probably with the help of some xrays) you need x,y and z done. (or maybe just x)

if you don't want it done, and you don't need it done, then it shouldn't even be an issue. and you can't mention neglecting your teeth in the same sentence as brushing them regularly. if you did neglect them, you wouldn't have lasted 15 years without a visit!
enjoy it!

day dreamer

Paddy

How are things? You may have dental problems that you are unaware of. Decay and gum disease are often painless and there may be many problems developed over 15 years of which you are blissfully unaware.

Dont worry about the alignment of your teeth or molars pointing in. It was madness to advise you to try to straighten your teeth by pushing on them with your fingers, I nearly spat out a mouthful of tea on the laptop laughing. Please God dont let that be the next great thing after 6 month braces: the finger brace!

dont worry about a lecture or being offered treatment you cannot afford. Nobody has to have their teeth straightened but you do need a good check up and overall review,it wont be as bad as you think and may save you a lot of pain and money down the line

Lux23

It was 7 years since my last appointment and before that there was an 8 year gap so its more the less the same. I have been in an awful state worrying about the state of my teeth and was actually knawing at my gum with stress so i thought was actually looking at spending thousands to sort them out. All i needed was a filling and a good clean! Paddy go to the dentist as soon as you can and you may find that your ok. If you do need work at least you will know where you stand. It is a real worry because our smile is how we show we are happy after all.

Heckler

I went to the dentist today for the first time in about 6 years. I knew I needed to have a lot of work done. I'd left it too long and was basically embarassed to go because i thought he'd be disgusted with me. But it was grand. Got a scaling/cleaning done and a list of what I need to get done to get me back to healthy teeth. Some fillings and an extraction and some optional cosmetic work.

It can be pricey. I'm going to go every couple of weeks for the major stuff first. Going mad I didn't go earlier. Even after a good cleaning my teeth feel and look so much better.

lizzie09

Thats fantastic! Its great after you have been!

I stayed avvay from the dentist for a fevv years and although I'm still going
I'm delighted I took the plunge!:) Actually off there this morning!

DaveTwenty7

Its only been too long when your 6 ft under up until then there are major benefits to attending.
Best thing is you will probably be shocked and amazed (hopefully in a positive way) as to how things have advanced.