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How long have you gone without going to the dentist? How many cavities?

Owen Bawn

Garden party cupcake scented
I go once a year, and last had a cavity 3 years ago. When I was young I had cavities every time I went. I'm of that generation where I don't really have teeth, per se... rather, I have fillings with roots.
 
This thread is awesome and makes me feel not so bad about going on 13 years!

It started off with me not liking my dentist. He’s a condescending jackass. And then one day when I realized that it had been over two years, I decided to never go again because I didn’t want to get chastised by him and his girlfriend who was the hygenist.

Then with kids and jobs…hours become days that become months that become years. So far no problems (knock knock) I brush and floss daily. I can tell I have a lot of tartar build up because once in a while when I floss a small chunk will come off.

Now I’m actually worried to go 1) because I’m sure there will be some work to be done especially since I chipped a tooth along the way, and 2) I don’t look forward to finding a new dentist.

I get tempted to make an appt when I see dentists that advertise “no scolding.” Because that’s one thing I really hated about my dentist. He was kind of a d-ck.
 

Billski

Here I am, 1st again.
I go twice a year. The last time was in July. The dentist said that I did well. Then I found out that he was not diplomatic.

So I got a new dentist and will see him in December.
 
Almost 20 years. Wouldn't have gone then but chipped a tooth on a piece of bone in a hot dog. Since then have gone every 6 mths. One small cavity, replaced a couple metal fillings, fixed a couple rough edges on front teeth. I've always brushed twice a day and flossed every day.
 
As a young teenager living in early 1960’s Los Angeles- the dental assistants were these incredible babes who gossiped about their nights at the Whiskey A GoGo while scraping my teeth. I’d probably hit a tooth with a hammer before climbing into the time machine for a revisit.
 
About 10 or 15 years, and about 10 or 15 years before that.
I still have 32 natural teeth.
At my age, it's not cavities, it's cracks and little pieces breaking off.
 

Kentos

B&B's Dr. Doolittle.
Staff member
As a young teenager living in early 1960’s Los Angeles- the dental assistants were these incredible babes who gossiped about their nights at the Whiskey A GoGo while scraping my teeth. I’d probably hit a tooth with a hammer before climbing into the time machine for a revisit.

Try a Japanese dentist in the 80’s. The one I had didn’t believe in novacaine for fillings.
 
I haven't been to a dentist since 2008, and, that was the first time since 1998. I was setting up an appointment and then COVID happened. No cavities.
 
:laugh: i ronic this thread i went around 30 years or more not seeing the dentist and i paid for it my last dentst visit after finally going in for a tooth exam found no cavities but bad gum disease that resulted in 9 teeth yanked out last friday.so now i gotta denture in place of my bottom front teeth a crown and another denture for my top front tooth that got knocked out years ago when i was a kid :laugh: dont put off the dentist you can floss brush your teeth after every meal every day and still end up with bad teeth/gum disease etc.
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
I go every six months nowadays, but I had a stretch where I didn't see a dentist from sometime in my early 20s until sometime around turning 35. No cavities during that time.

In fact, I've never had a full-fledged cavity with my permanent teeth. I have had a couple of "soft spots" that required a little bit of drilling and filling, but those didn't require anesthesia because they were so shallow. A couple of hygienists over the years have told me that I salivate a lot, and that helps (never saw that coming). I suppose it also helps that I rarely eat sweets and might go years without drinking a soda.
 
I did not go to a dentist from 18 to 38 years old. My wife made the appointment and told him how long it had been since I went. New practice (his wife and mine were friends) so he was licking his chops expecting a lot of work needed to be done. Took x-rays and a quick cleaning was only thing needed, the dentist seemed very disappointed. I have not had a cavity in over 40 years.

As mentioned before the type of saliva you produce makes a huge difference on the longevity of your teeth. Brushing twice a day helps as well. Last few years I go once a year with my kids.
 
Never had teeth cleaned growing up. 18, in the Army, they cleaned my teeth, then the problems started. Gum disease, loose teeth, then a wisdom tooth. All problematic through my adult life, put $10,000 in my mouth with fillings, crowns, partials, deep cleanings. Could not stop the bone loss in my jaws. So, made the decision almost 15 years ago to have them pulled. Tops first, and my top plate is like my own teeth. A year later did the lowers, and I really don't like my lower denture, but it does look better than what I had. Thought about getting the posts to hold them in, really don't want to go through that agony. My overall health improved dramatically after doing all this. I had more energy, felt better, didn't feel so tired all the time. Don't regret doing that. Health has been pretty good the past 15 years. Had to learn how to eat all over again.
 
I didn't go to the dentist for about five years, as my last visit to him was not the most pleasant. But with time and some toothache, I realized I needed to visit a specialist again and deal with my problems in the jaw area. My old dentist didn't suit me anymore, so I turned to jeffreygrossdds.com. As it turned out, because I have not done cleaning for a long time, I have formed 8 caries on different teeth. I had to pay a lot for treatment, but now I go through an examination and brush my teeth every six months. My advice is to visit the dentist constantly.
 

Eric_75

Not made for these times.
I went to the dentist in January to have a porcelain veneer repaired. They did a great job and all went well. Also, I have never had a cavity in my life.
 
I was uninsured through my entire twenties. So ten years. Then I had a molar break because it was rotten. Even after so long and a lot of tartar build up that was the only issue. Since then I go every six months.
 

Hannah's Dad

I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
It’s been a while …
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Actually, I go every 6 months.
 
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