Longest time between dental visits

[RIduffer]

I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in 6 years (not proud of this, and I know it's gross). Problem was I didn't have dental coverage until recently. Fortunately, no major issues, just 2 cavities to be filled. When I told the hygenist how long it had been since my last visit she just shook her head and said, "I hope you don't have anywhere to be today, this might take a while."

Anyone gone longer between visits? I hope not! And to the younger guys here, don't take after me.

[Cussin hacker]

I'm lucky that I have great teeth and I do take care of them. It's been 25 years back when I was in the Air Force. Also I don't have dental coverage so I spend my extra $$$ on my hobbies. Golfing, fishing, hunting, etc.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Id say i went some 5 years after i graduated college until i saw a dentist again. I could actually afford some coverage at that point. Well... i cant afford it now...but at least i go.

[zeg]

Same here, about 6 or 7 years from end of college to next visit. No major problems, but a really bad idea all the same. I'm a fool because I DO have coverage, just lazy. I'm overdue again now, but need a new dentist because I really didn't like the one I saw.

[RIduffer]

The office I went to, curiously, is called "Gentle Dentistry". They need to change the name because there was nothing gentle about what happened to me there. Feels nice and clean now though, since my gums stopped bleeding.

[trog2233]

Its been 10 years for me since ive been there. The last time i was there Ive never had a cavity and my teeth dont hurt me at all so i'm not worried about it. Keep em clean!

[DavidFehertysBike]

  trog2233 said:

Its been 10 years for me since ive been there. The last time i was there Ive never had a cavity and my teeth dont hurt me at all so i'm not worried about it. Keep em clean!

Thats what i thought too. But when i eventaully did get back to the dentist i found out i had 9 or 10 cavities brewing.. I would have lost at least two of them if i continued not to see the dentist.

[Zeph]

I do a yearly check. The local dentist office call me in every year. I take good care of my teeth, use an electric tooth brush and dental floss every day. Almost never drink soda, orange juice and the likes.
I don't want to gamble on not going to a dentist. It can be fine for many years, only to cause huge problems right out of the air.

[Cussin hacker]

Checking this thread out and I see a discount dental plan ad at the top of the page.

[RIduffer]

  Cussin hacker said:

Checking this thread out and I see a discount dental plan ad at the top of the page.

That's funny, they must be reading this thread.

[Zeph]

That, or they are using Google AdSense, which deliver ads that are relevant to the content on the page. AdSense sees "dental", and come up with some dental ads.

[uttexas]

Brush three times a day if possible and floss. Dentitsts are for the most part outside of most insurance plans--it's considered cosmetic. Thus, they are free to charge what they want (not bound by medicare or other insurance pricing structures). I've taken my kids to a few dentists---choose one that you like and doen't have exorbitant overhead to keep up with (don't choose a dentist who's office looks like a castle or has HDTVs everywhere).

With the fancy x-rays the expensive dentists have these days, they can detect tiny "micro" cavities of questionable clinical significance, but will charge you plenty to debride and fill them.

[RIduffer]

I was pretty surprised that with these digital x-ray gadgets they have now, it was every bit as uncomfortable (if not more so) as when they had me biting on those cardboard contraptions years ago.

[Three Putt]

6 years....then went for 4 visits, when they started timing sh-t with my insurance plan I got pissed. Been 4 years since I've gone.

Whatever.....I like soup just fine. ps.. all teeth still just fine, so soup is hopefully 30 years out for me.

My opinion of dentists.....they cant kill you with a procedure, so they go for what they get.

Sorry if I offended you good dentists out there, not including you in the bunch.

[Boyder]

My wife used to be a Dental Hygienist ... longest I've ever gone was 6 months ...

[kfowler]

I go every six months and always have. Not having dental insurance is really not an excuse. If anything not having it means you should go more regularly. You can get your teeth cleaned for around $60 per visit. So $120-150 a year. You'll prevent most of your serious and expensive problems just by doing that. It's well worth the money.

Anyone see John Adams on HBO? When they got older they really rotted out their teeth. Nasty!!! Can't imagine living like that.

[enis750]

I went 10+ years a while back - it was really sick
and i brush 3 times a day, but never floss
it was bad - 8 cavities, needed one pulled it was so bad - it ended up getting absessed while on vacation (Sunday dentist visits suck)

got it all fixed, went about a year or so.....recenlty went back, again wasnt good.......3 fillings needed
but my teeth "look" great......i need to floss more i guess!!! hahahah!

[right handed phil mickelson]

16 years. I've never been to the dentist once.