i have not been to a dentist in probably 10 years

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.

and now i gotsta floss, so no more cavities, no more drill-and-fill, etc. i'm gonna be one of those nasty mofos @ work who brushes and flosses after every meal (and junks up the sink b/c of that).

Except for writing that.

Gross.

Invest in a Sonicare or similar, check out the Showerfloss, use xylitol with abandon. Mr. Jaq and I have gone from having those scary bloody gum pockets to none whatsoever due to diligent application of same. Xylitol's the newest thing I've been researching - pretty amazing, can actually reverse mild instances of caries, disrupt bacterial plaque and remineralize your teeth.

then again, i went to the dentist 'round Easter, for the first time in 3 years: STILL NO CAVITIES, BITCHES.

I'm going to go have some coffee now.