i have not been to a dentist in probably 10 years

I need to go, but I have hated every dentist that I've ever gone to. When I take my car to the mechanic, he doesn't give me a hard time because it's been years since I've gone. No, he just fixes the damn thing. Dentists, in my experience, just want to throw a guilt-trip over you before taking a thousand x-rays for no reason at all.

i didn't find that to be the case when i was a kid.

what's up with all you dental slackers??

This same doctor slapped my cousin once because he thought she was being a bit too hysterical. Never mind the fact that he TORTURED KIDS AND CHARGED THEIR PARENTS FOR IT.

no dental insurance!

Fuck American health care

i hadn't gone in 10 years and i went over xmas. i was told that i was RUINING MY GUMS because i brushed INCORRECTLY! i have been going side-to-side for my entire life. the dentist was like NO NO NO AAAAGGGH NO. brush in the direction your teeth grow he said. he said "be gentle." i was, apprently, brushing my gums into oblivion. i should probably floss too huh, i said. "just the ones you want to keep." i remembered hearing the same line from him, 10 years earlier. and i still had them all! HA.

anyway, i have decay on two teeth, but they're my wisdom teeth and he said i should get em yanked soon anyway, so he didn't bother doing anything to them.

i reported all this to my dentist friend who lives in glasgow. he had a somewhat glaswegian attitude, i guess. he emailed back: "why did you go to the dentist? were you in pain?"

One dentist said to me once, "You don't wash your hands until they bleed, do you? Then why do that to your gums?" Makes sense, I guess.

I'm going in on Thursday for my first appointment since the Clinton administration. Never been to this guy before. If he recommends braces, I'll be excusing myself once more.

yes, too much of the former, plus genetics, led to gum surgery for me. never had a filling, though.

(well, I assume - I was 17 and had an NHS dentist anyway when mine were pulled)

That sounds pretty awesome in general. I wish I could do it without having/needing surgery.

Is this plausible? Also my dentist reminded me of Dr. Nick and had huge snot stalagmites in both nostrils. :((((

I've had root canal work, 6 fillings, hygienist cleaning, the works - all with NO pain

no trouble but I will try to not not go for that long, again

Anna, you could try this http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/Default.aspx but I reckon word of mouth (mouth! ha!) is usually best. But what do I know, I've not had a dentist for 9 years.

the previous dentist always x-rayed and always found something to do on every visit. the current one doesn't and hasn't. i'm not sure which i prefer.

unfortunately, i have 5 cavities and have to get a deep-gum cleaning :-( this is the 1st time in my life that i've had cavities, or have had to get fillings so i am NOT thrilled.