Dentist

Yes, I have one. At almost 70 yrs old I have to bring in my toothbrush to show how I clean my teeth. I'm doing such a good job my tooth enamel is eroding as well as my gums. I have hardly any plaque. How long do teeth normally last? I thought I was doing Ok at my age. Now I feel like I'm 7 not almost 70.:

Re: Dentist

So do I! My teeth are not improving with age! I see the dentist when I need to and the hygienist every 6 months who has trained me well in the art of the electric toothbrush and the Teepee brush!.
I'm an NHS patient but it still costs such a lot I don't see how low paid peeps can afford it.

Re: Dentist

I went to the dentist on Monday , some of my teeth are transparent the enamel is so thin. I think teeth wear out like the rest of our bodies ..

Re: Dentist

My dentist in the west midlands used a fairly new pain killer for when drilling teeth,it acted almost straight away, no going back to the waiting room for a time

Where I am now it is a step backwards,this dentist either has not heard of this new pain killer or what I don't know

Re: Dentist

I don't think I have been sent back to the waiting room since I was a child Bazza my dentist has used a quick acting painkiller for as long as I can remember.

Re: Dentist

In my practise you were sent back to the waiting room, IMO, so they could cram even more appointments in! They have changed as I think they had lots of complaints.

Re: Dentist

...and also your gums recede. My toothbrushing has worn the teeth at the base but they hang on in there.

After my last visit to repair a damaged NHS mercury filling (it had done well) I was told I have one loose tooth and another where the decay is so low and close to the nerve that when it breaks through the tooth will have to come out.

It amases me at the dentist now they even numb the gum so you don't even feel the initial needle prick of the anesthetic needle.

However I am still terrified, in my mind's eye I still see those awful slow NHS drills with the articulated armS, the drill driven by black bands running along the arms. They ground away so slowly that smoke and steam often erupted from your mouth. Remember those heinous machines of torture?

Re: Dentist

The first time I went to the dentist the drill was hand driven. The nurse had a big wheel she turned and drove via belts to a small wheel and so made the drill spin. Back in the days when they gave gas to knock you out. Oh yes the taste of burning as well in the mouth.

Re: Dentist

I accompanied a friend to a dentist in the early 70 in India where the dentist had a drill similar to the one I described earlier except he pedelled it - probably treadled is a better description.

All I can say is that I am glad it was him not me that needed treatment.

Re: Dentist

My childhood dental experiences were so terrifying that I avoided the dentist for years! Shame because I really needed to go but there it is! Anyone remember having gas and that horrible black rubber mask stinking and clamped over your face?

I think it's the luck of the draw if you have good teeth! I have a friend well into her 80's; not only are her teeth perfect, she has no receding gums and no yellowing either!