Have you been to the Dentist recently?

lastlaugh

I have. But only after 12 years.

I had a big molar with a piece broken off that I had to get pulled out. Weird experience altogether, feeling the tooth being gripped and wobbled until the root snaps and then pulled out.

Talking to people in work and friends about it I was amazed by the amount of people who have rotten/broken teeth that they just leave there and don't bother going to the dentist either because of the expense or fear.

So, have you left it too late to save a tooth?

Hasmunch

lastlaugh wrote: »

I have. But only after 12 years

:eek:

MistyCheese

Yes, I was at the dentist a few weeks ago.

Mint Sauce

Twice in about 12 years (last about 2 ago). Both times for a chipped tooth. Just got the jagged bit filed down, and a clean done whilst there.

flutterflye

6 weeks ago I booked an appointment for fillings.

Dentist said I needed it urgently otherwise I'll need a root canal in the very near future.

I have endured horrible, horrible pain twice in the past 6 weeks.

Even so, I called up the day before the appointment to cancel.

So unbelievably stupid, and I can't come up with a logical explanation why I still have not got the fillings!

lastlaugh

Hasmunch wrote: »

:eek:

I know, it's a bit embarrassing!

I only felt I had to go when I realised that a tooth was in serious trouble.

I'm not alone though, lots of people just don't bother going.

lastlaugh

flutterflye wrote: »

6 weeks ago I booked an appointment for fillings.

Dentist said I needed it urgently otherwise I'll need a root canal in the very near future.

I have endured horrible, horrible pain twice in the past 6 weeks.

Even so, I called up the day before the appointment to cancel.

So unbelievably stupid, and I can't come up with a logical explanation why I still have not got the fillings!

It was the fear of great pain that got me to go.

Even when I was in the chair, the dentist asked me did I want to go ahead with the extraction. I was very close to chickening out at the last minute.

Root canals are very expensive, so go with the fillings before it's to late.

pebbles21

Just before he looks into my mouth i usually grab him by the balls and whisper in his ear "we're not got to hurt each other now,are we??";)

theboss80

Hate dentists !!!! bad experiences as a child getting extractions and fillings.

I looked after my front teeth top and bottom and they look good but the back ones are a mess and will stay that way.

flutterflye

lastlaugh wrote: »

It was the fear of great pain that got me to go.

Even when I was in the chair, the dentist asked me did I want to go ahead with the extraction. I was very close to chickening out at the last minute.

Root canals are very expensive, so go with the fillings before it's to late.

You are completely right of course, and I know it.
And the money - I don't have the few grand for root canal!

WTF is it?!
It's completely irrational.
You build it up in your head, and in reality, it's not that bad.

Just like blood tests - something else I will put off forever!

The idea of pain is worse than pain itself!

OPENROAD

OP, thought I was bad, about nine years since my last visit.

tan11ie

When i was younger i left my back teeth until i was actually hitting my head off the walls in pain!!! all because i had a really bad experience as a child at the hands of a butcher/Dentist :mad:

These days I'm quite obsessed with check ups and cleaning!

Where To

was at the dentist last month for first time in seventeen years


cost me €6000 :mad:

lastlaugh

pebbles21 wrote: »

Just before he looks into my mouth i usually grab him by the balls and whisper in his ear "we're not got to hurt each other now,are we??";)

It was weird at the Dentists, he had to have been in his seventies, and started playing classical music when I was in the chair.

Also, he makes you wear weilding goggles, so you can't see the implements he's sticking in your gob!

Nice fella though, glad I got the thing pulled out, it was in bits and was a timebomb waiting to blow.

flutterflye

OPENROAD wrote: »

OP, thought I was bad, about nine years since my last visit.

This thread is starting to sound like a confessional!

OPENROAD

flutterflye wrote: »

This thread is starting to sound like a confessional!

And for your Penance, five fillings :eek:

DEFTLEFTHAND

Had a root canal done in 05 and haven't been back since, quite lucky with my teeth really 'touch wood'. I brush twice a day and use Listerine, seems to keep them healthy enough looking. I have friends in the states who obsess over having perfect teeth, they're literally in with the hygienist every month for cleanings.

OPENROAD

It is getting the needle that is keeping me away

ilovesleep

I hate the chair. Have a fear of the dentist chair. How they put you all the way back. Then up and up and up. Then they stick a light in your eyes. Is there any way they can make it more pleasant.

lastlaugh

tan11ie wrote: »

When i was younger i left my back teeth until i was actually hitting my head off the walls in pain!!! all because i had a really bad experience as a child at the hands of a butcher/Dentist :mad:

These days I'm quite obsessed with check ups and cleaning!

That's the best way to be, I'm actually looking forward to my next few visits to get the rest of my delf sorted out! I'm missing that tooth already for chomping down on food. I need to keep what I've got left!

where do i go from here wrote: »

was at the dentist last month for first time in seventeen years

cost me €6000 :mad:

Ouch. What did you have to get done if you don't mind me asking?

A fella in work was telling me he had a bridge in his gum that led to an infection. He ended up having a piece of cow bone (yes I'm serious) implanted in his upper jaw, then they put in titanium pins into it and then porcelain teeth onto that. Cost him €5000 as he got it done by a student in the Dental Hospital (that was half what it would be normally apparently).

OPENROAD

where do i go from here wrote: »

was at the dentist last month for first time in seventeen years


cost me €6000 :mad:

:eek:

I know you can add on dental care to your health insurance, wonder how much cover it gives you.

Hackysack

haven't been in 10 or so years. I've always been meaning to go for ages, but i keep putting it off...

the groutch

there's a reason why they call me "Bleeding Gums"

themadchef

Every 6 months for a clean.

If only there was some place to go with my mind

Ruu_Old

Cleaning twice a year.

lastlaugh

ilovesleep wrote: »

I hate the chair. Have a fear of the dentist chair. How they put you all the way back. Then up and up and up. Then they stick a light in your eyes. Is there any way they can make it more pleasant.

The one I went to puts welding goggles on you, it sounds weird but it darkens the light a good bit. It also acts like blinkers so you can's see whatever drill or whatever he has.
The classical music was a bit surreal but it was actually a bit comforting!
Anything that helps can only be good.

ballsymchugh

ilovesleep wrote: »

I hate the chair. Have a fear of the dentist chair. How they put you all the way back. Then up and up and up. Then they stick a light in your eyes. Is there any way they can make it more pleasant.

i'd be worried if a dental light was shining in my eyes too. a few inches lower down would be a hell of a lot handier.

Full.Duck

Go up north to get any dentistry done. 1/3 of the price, including petrol for the trip. The prices down here are absolutely ridiculous.

lastlaugh

OPENROAD wrote: »

:eek:

I know you can add on dental care to your health insurance, wonder how much cover it gives you.

A lot of insurance packages will cover you for emergency dental work. But that's only if your in an accident or something.

If you've just left it years and need a load of work done then you're in trouble.

My insurance covers 40 quid per visit 12 times a year, which is quite good.

If it's a whopper bill, some dentists will let you have a payment plan like a 100 a month for 'x' months or something along those lines...

ilovesleep

lastlaugh wrote: »

That's the best way to be, I'm actually looking forward to my next few visits to get the rest of my delf sorted out! I'm missing that tooth already for chomping down on food. I need to keep what I've got left!

I'm looking forward to my next smear test. Its better than the dentist

MungBean

lastlaugh wrote: »

I have. But only after 12 years.

I had a big molar with a piece broken off that I had to get pulled out. Weird experience altogether, feeling the tooth being gripped and wobbled until the root snaps and then pulled out.

Talking to people in work and friends about it I was amazed by the amount of people who have rotten/broken teeth that they just leave there and don't bother going to the dentist either because of the expense or fear.

So, have you left it too late to save a tooth?

Been about 12 years or more for me too. I dont have insurance or medical card and just plain cant afford to go. I may get around to it sometime though, I'm starting to get regular pains and that aint good.

lastlaugh

ilovesleep wrote: »

I'm looking forward to my next smear test. Its better than the dentist

I'll have to take your word on that!

Although I'm pretty sure no drills, forceps or any type of medieval implements are needed down there.

lastlaugh

Skunkle wrote: »

Been about 12 years or more for me too. I dont have insurance or medical card and just plain cant afford to go. I may get around to it sometime though, I'm starting to get regular pains and that aint good.

A mate of mine is in the same boat, no medical card or insurance (or job).
(He also has 3 kids and a big ass mortgage)

His teeth are in a bad way but there is no way he can afford to go.

It's fooking terrible really.

mw3guc

lastlaugh wrote: »

I'll have to take your word on that!

Although I'm pretty sure no drills, forceps or any type of medieval implements are needed down there.

And that's where you'd be wrong :pac: Have a look through Google images for a speculum ...

flutterflye

lastlaugh wrote: »

I'll have to take your word on that!

Although I'm pretty sure no drills, forceps or any type of medieval implements are needed down there.

They clamp your hooha and shove metal implements up it.

lastlaugh

mw3guc wrote: »

And that's where you'd be wrong :pac: Have a look through Google images for a speculum ...

Gulp.

I thought you only needed an icepop stick, slip it in, give it a wiggle and Bobs yer uncle!

Oh the naiveity of me!

Paparazzo

Haven't been for 23 years. And I don't intend on going unless i'm in pain.

Glico Man

Went around this time last year to have a tooth yanked which was the result of not going when a toffee pulled out a filling which occurred about 3 years prior

Hal Emmerich

I go to the hygienist once a year and get a check up with Dentist when I'm there, €60.

I was considering pushing it out to 2 years.

Craebear

Not since I was 14. Traumatic as hell and unless my teeth turn purple and my gums black, I will not be going back ever.

robman60

No, and I have a large lump of dental cement left on my teeth since I was 13 which was meant to be removed ages ago. I'm not giving him €50 for it though!

Only when dentists start offering treatment for a reasonable rate will I return.

deisedave

Dents phhhsst that costs way to much maybe in 10 years when I have money :P

jaykhunter

When I was starting college; there's a dentist's college beside TCD that needed people for students to work on (students about to graduate lol) so yearly i'd get a checkup/scale and polish. I'd go there once a year until they told me politely to stop mooching. My teet always feel weird afterwards. Seems the recession hit them bad, a few years ago it was hard getting an appointment but the last time i went (last year) i walked in and I was seen straight away. Think it was about €60.

I associate positively with dentists because when I was about 7 or so, and getting a checkup/scale a polish, the dentist had large breasts and the way it worked out the back of my head rested on them. I know it'll never happen again but hope does pop into my head every time i go :pac:

Washington Irving

Big fear of the dentist since I was about seven. About 4 years ago I had to have two teeth pulled out and had to go to the hospital to be knocked out so they could remove them...

TPD

Went about 8 months ago, got a filling. A bit of the tooth surrounding said filling has since broken off, but it doesn't hurt yet so unless it does it'll be the next yearly checkup before I get it seen to.

Dr Strange

Used to work myself up to a realluy big fear due to a bad childhood experience with an untrained dentist.

For the last 5 years going every 6 months for check-ups and cleaning. Makes it easier every time as the dentist is really good and you're getting used to it.

I don't mind the injections actually, never any bother with that but when I was younger I found the noise of the drill increased my fear. I was allowed to listen to my walkman (yes, it goes back quite a bit) while she was working on a root canal and it was amazing how much my mind was taken off the actual situation. I am not using a player now but at the time it was a big help.

Elohim

A relative of mine went about 5 years ago for the first time in about 30. The dentist had one look and said "jaysus, you're mouth is like Fallujah!". Got a lot of teeth pulled that day, hasn't gone back since.

Me, I went about 6 months ago, a simple clean makes a huge difference.

Lady Chuckles

I hate the dentist. I have really good teeth and I go there once every year for check-ups, but I'm still terrified. The staff is so mean and it seems they have very little compassion for their patients!!

I think I need to change dentist

Osgoodisgood

Went a couple of years ago for the first time in 17 years. I needed some fairly major repairs including a crown, a root canal and 12 fillings. I now go once a year for a checkup and have had no problems since.

mariaf24

I had to go about 2years ago due to chronic pain...it was torture so i had no choice but to go. The dentist was absolutely lovely, i told her i was terrified (hadn't been in about 10 years) so she explained everything she was doing, was constantly reasurring me and being nice etc.I had to go back about 4 times for cleans and checkups and promised myself i would go 12 months later.

One year later appointment card came..i was shaking reading it...Immediately binned. I know i need to go again but just cannot bring myself to do it. I have no idea what im so nervous about...

I think it's the 'unknown'. You are lying on the chair with your mouth open and they are poking around...that first 20-30 seconds feels like 20 minutes and you don't know what they are thinking...will they need to extract? Etc etc...Oh god im shaking now again

theteal

with working ~10 hours a day I found it very hard to even think about making a dentist/doctor appointment over the last 6 years. the cost was a factor too considering there's not a bother with my teeth (a handful of minor chips from the rough and tumble of the football field).

Although, living where I am now and the price difference (free as far as I know), I may make an appointment for an aul scale and polish someday soon