I can't believe I got a blippin cavity. GRRR.

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So yesterday I went in to get my teeth cleaned, but the dentist found a cavity. For those not keeping track, I brush my teeth no less than 2 times a day, and floss no less than once. Yet, I had to get my backmost top molar filled. Question: how long does it take for a cavity to develop? I had taken liberties with my dental regimen the past 3 months -- or is it bad brushing form over the course of years that has led to this?

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Tuesday, 21 December 2004 22:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I haven't seen a dentist in four years, uh-oh.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 December 2004 23:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Have you have your wisdom teeth pulled? Because those are your backmost molars, and it's REALLY hard to keep them from rotting and being broken and yanked out by a drunk, untrained Mexico City dentist.

― andy, Tuesday, 21 December 2004 23:21 (twenty-one years ago)

You may have suffered toothbrush trauma.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Tuesday, 21 December 2004 23:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I think it's mostly hereditary, or maybe how much candy you ate when you were young.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 21 December 2004 23:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Leee - think about getting a second opinion unless you trust this dentist. I mean, they can tell you "oh look you have a cavity that'll be $300 to fill k thx bye" but how would you know? Unless you know cos it hurts or something. Note the tooth and spot and get another dentist to check it - if he says its there too then I guess you're ok.

Call me paranoid I dunno, I saw something about ripoff dentists on the telly once.

I havent been in 10 years and the last time I went I hadnt been in over 5 and my teeth are fine. And I dont floss!

My trick? I "wash" my teeth with water every time I eat something, and when I brush, its a habit left over from having braces.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Mind you, you could also have worn off yr enamel from too MUCH brushing - thats possible to do (as is damaging yr gums).

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 00:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Trayce -- I've already had the bugger filled, but fortunately I'm still covered by our dental plan. It certainly did hurt while he was mucking about/drilling back there. But whatever esteem I'd had for this jerk of a tooth dr. is gone, bastard was itching to get to the next patient that he made me feel a bit bad trying to ask him about the cavity and future prevention.

I've usually had water with meals where I wouldn't be brushing my teeth immediately after, but I'll be paying extra attention to that now.

And Spencer is probably right -- my mum's got quite a few caries, and I was a sugar sucker as a wee lad.

― Leeeter van den Hoogenband (Leee), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 02:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I had a root canal about three years ago, and that was not good. I let a cavity linger too long, apparently. I've stopped drinking soda and no longer really have candy. I brush my teeth 2-3 times a day. I floss a lot less than I should. but I haven't had a cavity since the root canal!

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 02:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Per my dentist yesterday, my teeth are "untouched by dentistry" (but not by periodontistry)

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 02:27 (twenty-one years ago)

To be honest, I say my teeth are fine but how would I know, its been 10 years haha :/ I really shoudl get a checkup.

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I've got hereditarily thin enamel. Every time I go in to the dentist I have at least one cavity. Pity me.

― Dan I. (Dan I.), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 03:59 (twenty-one years ago)

And I floss my teeth EVERY FUCKING DAY no matter how tired or drunk or whatever I am.

― Dan I. (Dan I.), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 04:00 (twenty-one years ago)

So much has to do with good genes and getting flouride when you're a child. I took flouride pills and have no cavities, and once went about four years between dentist visits. I felt guilty, so I told them it had only been a year, and they said I had the cleanest teeth they'd seen in months.

A friend of mine in college had no cavities his whole life. Then he went to a new dentist in Chicago, who claimed he had something like eight cavities to fill! He went for a second opinion and got a clean bill of health.

But, yeah, I hear wisdom teeth get it the worst. My wife was just told one of her wisdom teeth needs a filling today.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 04:24 (twenty-one years ago)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v53/anthrochica/Dental.jpg

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Wednesday, 22 December 2004 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

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