Have you been to the Dentist recently?

lastlaugh · 28-06-2011 11:44PM #1

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 · 28-06-2011 11:46PM

lastlaugh wrote: »

I have. But only after 12 years

:eek:

MistyCheese · 28-06-2011 11:48PM

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

Mint Sauce · 28-06-2011 11:49PM

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 · 28-06-2011 11:52PM

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 · 28-06-2011 11:53PM

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 · 28-06-2011 11:57PM

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 · 28-06-2011 11:58PM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:00AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:01AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:02AM

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

tan11ie · 29-06-2011 12:03AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:04AM

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

cost me €6000 :mad:

lastlaugh · 29-06-2011 12:04AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:04AM

OPENROAD wrote: »

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

This thread is starting to sound like a confessional!

OPENROAD · 29-06-2011 12:06AM

flutterflye wrote: »

This thread is starting to sound like a confessional!

And for your Penance, five fillings :eek:

DEFTLEFTHAND · 29-06-2011 12:08AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:09AM

It is getting the needle that is keeping me away

ilovesleep · 29-06-2011 12:09AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:15AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:19AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:24AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:27AM

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

themadchef · 29-06-2011 12:27AM

Every 6 months for a clean.

If only there was some place to go with my mind

Ruu_Old · 29-06-2011 12:29AM

Cleaning twice a year.

lastlaugh · 29-06-2011 12:31AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:31AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:35AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:36AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:37AM

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 · 29-06-2011 12:41AM

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.

Have you been to the Dentist recently?

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