First Dentist Visit in 12 Years
It’s been awhile since I posted. I apologize. Can’t discuss it publicly, but work has been a bit crazy. Suffice it to say I’ve been doing some very high-profile projects.
It’s snowing today. In March. In Seattle. We’ve had a long, cold winter here. This morning it started off as teeny tiny flakes that typically mean it will last awhile, and now we’ve got the big, fluffy flakes that generally mean a short, intense shower. So, we’ll see.
In other news, I saw the dentist this week for the first time in 12 years. Why wait so long? Well, I’d seen two dentists in a row who wanted to do massive work in my mouth — root canals, the works. One of them talked me into getting “preventive fillings” because my grooves in the tops of my molars were so deep that he was “sure” I’d get cavities. So I have 4 fillings, but have never had a cavity in my life. I have no idea what one feels like.
When I started having pain in one of my back teeth, with sensitivity to sweet things, cold, etc, and what felt like a rough spot, I figured it was my first cavity. I got some recommendations and went to a new dentist this week. Turns out it was just a spot where my enamel had worn slightly thin, and he was able to put a thin layer of composite over it to protect it. It felt better instantly!! He also mentioned that teeth can get inflamed just like joints can, so with my autoimmune diseases, I am likely to have the occasional inflamed tooth that will be sore for a bit and eventually settle down. 12 years of no dentist, and I had no decay at all. In fact, he told me I have “beautiful” teeth. I essentially got off scot-free. I attribute this to my being a bit anal about brushing and flossing twice a day with real old-fashioned floss (Glide Floss and the like do not do a good enough job), and using the “pick” style floss at work after I eat. I also brush once a week with a very soft toothbrush and a paste made from baking soda and peroxide to remove coffee stains, etc.
I go in next week for a cleaning.
So far, I HIGHLY recommend Dr William Raleigh in West Seattle for a dentist. He was quick, painless, and his staff did everything they could to make the whole ordeal much easier on me.
I don’t know what it is about dentists out here that want to do all this proactive work – if I left it up to them, they’d replace about a dozen of my teeth with crowns because the fillings are “really big” and they “might break.” Well, if and when they break, I’ll deal with it. They try scare tactics, about how it could break below the gyms and cause all these problems, etc., etc. It’s really ridiculous!
Sue
March 12, 2009
Sue, I agree 100%.
It’s amazing to me.
I also read something last night about a protocol that may help teeth “heal” themselves and regenerate enamel and fill in cavities. Check it out at http://www.zellies.com/store.asp?pid=14406&catid=19708 if you’re interested. The thing that I think is cool is that it’s all over the counter stuff. Nothing you can’t get at your local Walgreen’s.
aimgrrrl
March 12, 2009