Need advice, many cavities in a short period of time.

[jacob1984]

Hey all this is my first post, hoping there are people out there who can give me some advice.

My family is pretty prone to cavities (especially since none of us had braces). Up until I was 27, I had I think 4 cavities my entire life. This was 2 years ago when I moved to the USA. My teeth were confirmed fine shortly after the move. Now it's 18 months or so later, I'm 29, had another dentist visit:

21 xrays (more xrays than all of the xrays I've ever had in my life combined until that point)
7 cavities, a few major (again, more than the amount of cavities I'd accumulated my entire life)

I had no Idea what I'd done wrong I was devastated. I knew I was in for 2 fillings, I had seen them develop myself for a year or so, I'm very careful with oral care.The dentist made me feel like someone who doesn't care about their health, gave me lectures on what I should and shouldn't do. I tried telling her I do take care of myself but she didn't swallow it.

Should I see another dentist to see if it's really that bad? I have noticeable brown spots in the crevasses on my teeth, in the past many of them weren't identified as cavities. Is it possible they all just exploded in the last year or 2? Does anyone know if there is such a thing as an oral specialist that is actually a doctor that I can go to to get to the bottom of this, if it is a serious problem or side affect of something else? I can't afford the same thing in another 2 years my mouth will be shot... I know whatever dentist I see will just tell me to eat this, don't eat that, brush at these times, with a good brush, use mouth wash and floss regularly. They *all* tell me exact same thing, I tell them I do exactly that, and that's about as insightful as they get, it's so frustratingly useless.



Thank you, any advice would be much appreciated.

Jacob

 

[fratermus]

Hi, Jacob!

A 2nd opinion might be useful -- either it confirms the 1st DDS' opinion (which is reassuring) or would indicate the need for less work (which would be a relief). If you don't want to get reshot with even more xrays they may be able to transfer them to the other DDS. Many are digital these days, which makes sharing easier.

There are dentists on this forum who /do/ understand that different mouths are different, that some folks have crappy regimes but naturally terrific teeth, and some folks with great hygiene regimes who will struggle forever. Most of us are somewhere in the middle on both counts.

Keep us posted on what you find out.

 

[Kim]

Hi Jacob and welcome

I am so sorry that you received such a curt consultation from your dentist. There is no need for this, and so for me, I would walk. You don't say whether or not you have a fear/phobia of the dentist, but even so, I would go find me a dentist who I could build a good 'working' relationship with. You are paying for a service, and part of this service is not to be spoken to like an irresponsible child.

I wish you well.

Kim

 

[letsconnect]

Hi Jacob, do get a second opinion!

Of course, it is always possible that for example a change in dietary habits or medications which cause dry mouth might be the culprit, but it could also be that this particular dentist diagnoses things that are not there (it's been known to happen). At the very least, you'll have peace of mind by getting a second opinion (and also, the dentist you saw didn't sound like the nicest person in the first place - I think you should take your custom elsewhere, rather than reward that sort of behaviour!).

You may want to ask colleagues or friends for dentist recommendations.

Please let us know what happens and good luck !

 

[littlestar88]

There are 2 possible options. The 'benefit of the doubt' option suggests: It may be that your previous dentist was aware of the start of cavities but was 'watching' them as sometimes during the early stages of decay the decay can stop. obviously if the decay progresses they need to be filled. so maybe they progressed a bit to the point where the dentist thought they needed to be filled. You don't say where you moved from but maybe if youre getting less flouride in the water since you moved then even if your diet/lifestyle han't changed, youre teeth are having a harder time since the move. It may also be that your last dentist was more of the 'wait and see' type while the new one is more agressive in treatment. It doesn't mean either is wrong, the agressive dentist would probably choose more aggressive treatment for his self and his family too and vice verca.

However: the only thing I would say is that getting a 2nd opinion is worth it because sometimes detists are less than honest (not all of them - only a minority that give the rest a bad reputation). It will also put your mind at rest if it is true. And certainly a dentist who lectures doesn't deserve you as a patient anyway!

 

[shamrockerin]

I just want to chime in here to say this:

Please do not feel bad for getting cavities! This is something I know alot about. I didn't go to a dentist for 12+ years, and I thought I was doing a great job of taking care of my teeth. Nothing ever hurt, my gums never bleed, I brush and floss regularly. . .I was devastated when I did go back and found out I needed a dozen fillings.

Meanwhile, my fiancee didnt go to a dentist for 10 years or so, and when he came back from his recent exam, he only had one tooth that needed to be filled. And he never flosses!

I have heard differing opinions from people as to why this kind of thing happens, but like fratermus said: different people have different mouths. It certainly isn't fair, but perhaps if you didn't take such good care of your teeth, it would be alot worse for you by now.