Awesome thread, thx PX for the info.
Question for you: my front tooth is stained from what I have been told antibiotics given to me as a kid. It’s not that big or noticeable, but I’d like to have it fixed. I had a dentist tell me she would have to basically sand down the tooth and re fill it.
This would have to be done every few years and the cost is pretty steep. I’m just wondering if the filler that is used for this kind of procedure is more susceptible to staining from coffee, etc. than the rest of the tooth? I just don’t want to end up with a difference in color or a new stain that costs me a few hundred bucks.
What do you think about the link between gum disease and coronary artery disease? I just finished doing a rotation in cardiothoracic surgery and I’d say that in almost all of the patients getting 3+ vessel CABG that I scrubbed in on had some degree of periodontal disease and/or overall poor dentition. I haven’t been able to find much current research on the subject so I’d like to know what someone in practice thought about it.
[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
I’m impressed by how much dentistry has advanced…
I went a couple weeks ago for a root canal. We all know the stereotype about root canals…so painful that the term has come to be equated with torture.
The sounds were horrible, there were an ungodly amount of instruments used, and a horribly bitter disinfectant was continuously sprayed on my hollowed-out tooth…but no pain. Zero. Even the anesthetic injection didn’t hurt. The dentist did such a good job resculpting the tooth that it now feels completely natural.
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I kept my eyes closed the whole time. Nothing like being told to hold this while they take an x-ray, and once it’s in your mouth you open your eyes looking at what looks like the handles to scissors in your mouth.
The one injection into the palette hurt like a bitch though
one question im curious about is can diet type effect jaw and dental development? The koreans I work with maintain that a change in diet from a coarse to more western is why young koreans have smaller slighter jaws and faces where as their elders are far heavier headed and have thicker jaws
I’ve only ever had 2 tiny cavities… when I was 19 year old.
I’m 46 now and the last time I went to the dentist, he said, “Lookin’ good. We’ll see you in a few years”.
I brush 2x per day, floss, and rinse with peroxide.
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
I haven’t been to a dentist in years.
I’ve only ever had 2 tiny cavities… when I was 19 year old.
I’m 46 now and the last time I went to the dentist, he said, “Lookin’ good. We’ll see you in a few years”.
I brush 2x per day, floss, and rinse with peroxide.
[/quote]
You’re lucky. HOwever, if you haven’t been in a while, how do you know you don’t have any more cavities?
[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
Iron Dwarf wrote:
I haven’t been to a dentist in years.
I’ve only ever had 2 tiny cavities… when I was 19 year old.
I’m 46 now and the last time I went to the dentist, he said, “Lookin’ good. We’ll see you in a few years”.
I brush 2x per day, floss, and rinse with peroxide.
You’re lucky. HOwever, if you haven’t been in a while, how do you know you don’t have any more cavities?
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No symptoms or problems (yeah, one can’t always be sure, true that).
I’ve seen the dentist 3x in the last 20 years. Each time I go, get a clean bill of oral health, a pat on the back, and a “See you in a few years” sign-off.
I think my teeth have by now attained “Chuck Norris” status.
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
I haven’t been to a dentist in years.
I’ve only ever had 2 tiny cavities… when I was 19 year old.
I’m 46 now and the last time I went to the dentist, he said, “Lookin’ good. We’ll see you in a few years”.
I brush 2x per day, floss, and rinse with peroxide.
[/quote]
I’d also like to hear X’s thoughts about rinsing with peroxide.
Just to highlight his point I’m a prime example of why it is bad. Growing up I used medium/hard brushes and brushed hard because my parents spent a lot of money on my teeth and I wanted to keep them pristine. I eventually developed very small holes in my teeth and sawed away at the gums of my bottom molars.
The teeth are and will be fine but my nerves are slightly exposed so flossing hurts like a mother fucker but I do it every damn day anyways. Luckily, this new reach gentle gum floss that looks like rope doesn’t hurt and cleans in between teeth very well…just hard to find.
Everybody should seriously do themselves a favor and start eating properly. With proper eating, cavities have the ability to heal themselves.
Read this:
For example, native populations living on traditional foods have an average cavity rate of 0.6 %, that’s about 1 cavity per 5 people. Keep in mind they don’t have any dentists, they don’t brush their teeth nor do they have fluoride in the drinking water.
Also, our wisdom teeth have evolved to erupt without problems.
All this can be fixed by proper diet. Cranial development depends on the nutrition status during growth, but cavities can be healed by starting to eat the right way right now.
Prof. X, what’s your take the waterpik? Better than floss, as good, don’t bother? I’m thinking about buying one because I hate flossing (I still do it everyday, but just hate the feeling), but if it’s not worth it I’ll pass.