I hate dental work

[wht93gted]

Seriously. I brush, don't floss often, but generally keep my mouth clean.

Go to the dentist, cavity here, cavity there, etc. I get the fillings, let them do the work, and my teeth feel worse when they're done. Where I had no pain or issues, now I have sharp edges, can't floss in between, and if I try to floss there, it just shreds to pieces.

So far I've gone to 3 different dental practices, 4 dentists, and had fillings done by 3. I just had one last night and I swear to god there's like a 1/8th inch ledge hanging off the side of the tooth he filled.

Does it hurt, no, but now there's another tooth I can't floss in between. I asked him about it, and he basically said "yeah, that happens" which doesn't seem like a correct statement. He used the metal band thing, but still feels weird. But who am I to challenge his years of medical school and experience with just my Google knowledge?

Now he's telling me I need a crown on one of the fillings because it was large and he's afraid the tooth will break.

My dad has 11 or 12 crowns, and a handful of root canals. I feel like I'm genetically screwed to have bad teeth, and I need to find a dentist who can leave my teeth feeling better than when I went in there.

Anyone else deal with similar things or any advice?

 

[oldmodman]

I just got a Water Pik pressure flosser.

Takes all the difficulties out of flossing. Plus you can put "additives" in the warm water. I use baking soda then peroxide.

My mother started using the same thing when her dentist told her that if her gums got any worse he would have to remove all her teeth and give her dentures.

The Water Pik with the additives eliminated all her dental issues and she kept all her teeth until she died.

 

[Bdubbs]

I hate going because I have a problem with my jaw locking up! Never when I'm eating food or anything just when I go to the dentist, worst feeling trying to close your mouth and it doesn't want to go right away. Scary.

 

[96Mystic1189]

I feel your pain man, I dont even know if you can inherit bad teeth in your genes but I feel like you can. I am one of only a few people on my mothers entire side of the family that has thier teeth, but I always run into issues with cavities even though I practice good dental brushing and mouthwash habits.

 

[RDJ]

I hate going to the dentist as well. that is why when I find one I stick with him until he retires or dies as long as I am in the area. I don't go to one that doesn't have nitrous either. I get it even when they are cleaning. I pay for it since insurance wont but worth the extra 40 bucks IMHO.

I was told by my dentist that unless I improved my dental habits I would lose my teeth early. He sold be a Sonicare tooth brush and OMG that thing is amazing. I later upgraded to the high end model and it is even more amazing.

 

[03cobra#694]

I ****ing hate them, but as Dave said, I found a great one and have stuck with him. Older guy who's been doing it forever. He gives you the shots and you can't feel a damn thing. He also cracks my ass up, I'll be all numbed up or have my mouth full of crap making impressions and the bastard is asking questions and waiting for a answer, lol.

 

[Ebeeson0502]

I started the journey to fixing my teeth January of this year and I'll finally be done in January of 2015. My top two molars on both sides of my mouth were in need of root canals. I had one on each side taken care of a while back but never crowned.

This time around I had to get the others done and work on getting all 4 crowned. My dentist started one side and then told me he didn't have a drill bit small enough to get all the way down the root so he sent me to another dentist that had to finish it and do the other side as well. Then unfortunately when I get back to my main dentist they tell me what was left of the new ones they did a root canal on didn't have enough of the tooth above the gums to cement a crown on.

So they send me to ANOTHER specialist to do a "crown lengthening" where they go in with a scalpel and cut your gums open and grind the bone down around those teeth then stitch the gums back up so the gums sit lower and more tooth is exposed for a crown to anchor on.

So after a shit ton of $$ even after using up all my dental insurance coverage I'm finally almost done, just a couple of minor fillings. Its worth it in the end!

 

[Iamchris]

Flossing is very important, and thorough brushing. The soft white plaque calcifies when it is left there... which is why you need to clean it away before it hardens.

I hate the dentist too, but good brushing and flossing tends to make visits a little easier.

 

[VirtualSVT]

I hate going but the lady who cleans mine has been there since I was 3. She treats me good. Makes it easier.

Luckily my teeth are pretty bulletproof. I even still have my wisdom teeth.

 

[Ponyracer1]

Don't let them screw with it. I had a dumbass fracture my tooth about 2 years ago while doing a cavity. Ended up having to go back and get it drilled out, then a root canal, then glued back together, then a new filling. What a nightmare! Took about a year for the sensetivity to fade.

 

[Sinister04L]

I always hated going to the dentist. Bad experiences my whole life with them. Then I finally found one that is really really good and I don't mind going now. He knows what he's doing and the whole office is very professional.

 

[Spudz]

Can't say I'm a fan of the dentist either. I have a severe gag reflex, which makes impressions and x-rays difficult. There is no worse feeling than fighting that, knowing you're making the job difficult for the dentist. I'm glad my guy is a trooper though.

Recently I began a flossing regiment that produced noticeable results. I'd say that doing that every night, with detailed focus on each gap, has gone a long way toward improving my dental health. Gotta knock on wood though as I go back to the chair here in a week

 

[RDJ]

Flossing is very important, and thorough brushing. The soft white plaque calcifies when it is left there... which is why you need to clean it away before it hardens.

I hate the dentist too, but good brushing and flossing tends to make visits a little easier.

no it don't ... ask me how I know LOL

 

[cobrakidz]

Not many people like the dentist. I am fortunate--I found a good one. After several crowns I can honestly say all good and never pain while there, whew.....

 

[black92]

I brush daily and use mouthwash, but it's been at least 10 years since I've been to the dentist... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a checkup and clean if needed.

 

[WireEater]

I went to 4 different appointments between Sept-Nov to fix things I neglected over the years. I actually HATED dentists prior to the one I have now. He is an awesome old fella, great stories, very nice and quick. I always brushed once a night but I moved it up to 2 times a day. Never flossed and when they scaled my teeth and showed me what happens when you don't floss, I decided that an extra 5 minutes out of my day will be worth it. Now my teeth and mouth ALWAYS taste and smell clean. Flossing is extremely important because bacteria just sits in between your teeth and most tooth brushes can not get it.

I got myself a WaterPik and love it. I use it 2 times a week. I got a kit from Costco that had the full size and travel size with all the attachments for 60$ when it was on sale. Just fill it up, dump a little mouth wash in it for flavor and it has high pressure, pulsating water that breaks away all the plaque/food and bacteria. It's like power washing your gums and teeth. My gums use to bleed, no more. I always thought it was the tooth brushes but it's the crap from not flossing and it becomes abrasive under your gums. Now my gums stay a very light pink color. If you have any redness around your gum line you have inflammation/irritation and should get them cleaned (gums).

 

[Noreiga]

I might be one of the few who actually like going to the dentist. My family doesn't necessarily have the best track record with dental health. I've done my best to take care of my teeth, but there have been the unfortunate times where I'm forced to do my time in the chair. When I do actually have to go it's because I'm actually in pain and in serious need of the visit due to something that was okay one day and not the next. I guess with the problems I have I mostly see the dentist as pain relief and someone to help end the suffering at the time. No amount of drilling, yanking or pulling on your jaw can be worse than trying to sleep or concentrate through the day with a severe toothache.

 

[Iamchris]

no it don't ... ask me how I know LOL

Well, speaking from my own experience it does. My dentist kept beating me up... eventually I decided to floss daily and brush better... last visit was a breeze and I normally walk out hating it. The damn water pick thing, ouch.

 

[KilledbyKenne]

I hate the dentist, but being brought up in a military family (amazing dental benefits) I've gotten into the habit to have a cleaning every 6 months. I've only ever had one cavity as a teenager. I am a wuss when it comes to needles so I do everything I can to avoid having to be numbed again. lol

 

[venmos1]

not to hijack thread, but more info on the waterpik? is this something i could share with my wife or would we want our own? i tried a quick google search and there were many different ones. TIA