American Dentistry

[Smith1942]

Why is it so enthusiastic?? I have had a huge amount of dental attention since I moved to the States six years ago. At home in England no one ever bothered and my teeth didn't fall out! You people are absolutely determined that I will have healthy teeth. Tomorrow is the umpteenth dental event!

Just kidding; it's kind of nice. My husband and I have a running joke that we see our dentists so often that it wouldn't actually be out of place to invite them round to dinner!

Before I moved to America my smile was like this:



And now it's like this!

 

[kenny]

At home in England no one ever bothered and my teeth didn't fall out!

That's because neglected gums and teeth often last 4 or 5 decades, probably about as long as the average human life span over the last 100,000 years.
With care they can last a modern life span or 75 years or longer.

Neglecting your teeth and gums by not brushing and flossing daily results in slowly-advancing gum disease which is the main cause of tooth loss later in life.
Half of Americans have gum disease.

When plaque is not removed daily it builds up below the gumline where you can't see it.
Over time it turns into yucky stuff that makes the gums pull away from the teeth.
Eventually, later in life, the gums stop gripping the teeth and they fall out, even teeth with no cavities.

Gum disease, not tooth decay, is the main cause of tooth loss later in life.
So, being happy that your dentist found no cavities is only half the picture.
Your dentist should be probing your gums to monitor pocket depth and giving you feedback on where you need to floss better.

Besides daily flossing and brushing we all still need to have a dental hygienist clean our teeth twice a year.

It's got nothing to do with what country you are from, but awareness varies around the world.
My dentist is Japanese and he says people in Japan are much less aware of dental maintenance than Americans.

 

[kenny]

Even though America has relatively good dental health ...



http://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm

"CHICAGO—September 4, 2012—One out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease, according to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A study titled Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010 estimates that 47.2 percent, or 64.7 million American adults, have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease.
In adults 65 and older, prevalence rates increase to 70.1 percent."

 

[Smith1942]

Why is it so enthusiastic?? I have had a huge amount of dental attention since I moved to the States six years ago. At home in England no one ever bothered and my teeth didn't fall out! You people are absolutely determined that I will have healthy teeth. Tomorrow is the umpteenth dental event!

Just kidding; it's kind of nice. My husband and I have a running joke that we see our dentists so often that it wouldn't actually be out of place to invite them round to dinner!

Before I moved to America my smile was like this:



And now it's like this!

I know all that, Kenny! I was just 'avin' a larf, hanging out in the Hangout! And British dentistry is the butt of jokes in America! Along with joke about the food, jokes about colonizing America - sometimes I have to explain that I wasn't there and it's not my fault! (If anyone has ever lived abroad for a few years you'll know that your nationality comes in for a fair bit of comment, rightly or wrongly.) I'm not one to get offended though. The Americans do have the best smiles. Like this:

With the length of floss I've used, I reckon I could tie one end to a lamppost in Brighton, one end to a lamppost in Boston, and feel my way home!

 

[kenny]

Nothing personal.
With half of Americans failing I never miss a chance to preach dental health.
Sorry if I'm annoying, but maybe one poster will read my posts and start flossing or floss more often.



I've lived in other countries for 5 years, so I know a bit about how Americans are viewed.

 

[Smith1942]

Actually, re. the graphic you posted, I AM surprised that the rate of gum disease is that high in the US given its reputation for excellent dentistry. And you're not annoying at all and yes, it's good to spread awareness about flossing.

 

[Smith1942]

Nothing personal.
With half of Americans failing I never miss a chance to preach dental health.
Sorry if I'm annoying, but maybe one poster will read my posts and start flossing or floss more often.



I've lived in other countries for 5 years, so I know a bit about how Americans are viewed.

It's awful, how rude some people can be. When I go home some people in the UK say bad stuff about America to me, not seeming to realize that America is now my permanent home and I have a ton of American friends. They don't seem to realize that I'm part of it now, after six years here, an American husband, American family, and no plans to ever move back to the UK. It's amazing how they can insult my adopted country and its people to me. You're right, people from other countries can be very rude. I've got one friend from my days in the travel industry who just has this irrational hatred of Americans and America. When she came over she tried to leave a $5 tip on a check for $130. And considering that she worked for an American tourist board for 15 years in London with frequent trips Stateside, she totally knew better.

 

[kenny]

Some criticism is deserved.
America is not all white and pure as the freshly fallen snow.

I proudly served in America's military for 6 years of active duty.
I'm a patriotic citizen who loves his country but I do not deny that America also has a dark side.

 

[Boatluvr]

When I was in my early thirties a dentist wanted to do gum surgery to 'save my teeth'. My mother had had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth, my sister also had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth and she is six years younger than I. I do have good teeth and bad gums, but I aggressively brush, floss and use a water pic supplemented by Listerine to help fight the infection. I still have all of my teeth and I'm 64 - that was over 30 years ago.

Let's not forget, dentists make money by filling teeth, performing surgery - basically, by finding something wrong and keep you coming back for more. I had one filling - the dentist insisted it needed to be replaced. By doing so he had to 'clean out the cavity' (file down more good tooth) and refill. That happened once - no more!

There are some good dentists out there who are honest I'm sure. I guess I just have not been lucky enough to find a decent (and relatively honest) one. I always recommend a second opinion. And if you want to be really sneaky, tell them you don't have any dental insurance and see how important it is (your treatment) to them then.

 

[Smith1942]

Duplicate - can't delete.

 

[Smith1942]

Some criticism is deserved.
America is not all white and pure as the freshly fallen snow.

I proudly served in America's military for 6 years of active duty.
I'm a patriotic citizen who loves his country but I do not deny that America also has a dark side.

Well, no country's perfect. I don't think the perfect country exists. And thank you for your service.

My niece is in the Airforce.

 

[kenny]

Boatluvr, yes some dentist do what makes them the most money, not what is best for the patient.
30 yeas ago I was fortunate to find a good honest one who counseled and educated me extensively on my first visit about our partnership to take my teeth to the grave.

I do not have dental insurance.

Note: My dentist tells me that waterpics, if not used correctly, can lead to tooth loss.
Be very careful to never point the jet of water towards the root of the tooth.
This can:
1. Help the gum separate from the tooth deeper and deeper over time
2. Force bacteria deeper into the pockets it helps create

Always point the water jet parallel to the gumline.

 

[Smith1942]

When I was in my early thirties a dentist wanted to do gum surgery to 'save my teeth'. My mother had had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth, my sister also had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth and she is six years younger than I. I do have good teeth and bad gums, but I aggressively brush, floss and use a water pic supplemented by Listerine to help fight the infection. I still have all of my teeth and I'm 64 - that was over 30 years ago.

Let's not forget, dentists make money by filling teeth, performing surgery - basically, by finding something wrong and keep you coming back for more. I had one filling - the dentist insisted it needed to be replaced. By doing so he had to 'clean out the cavity' (file down more good tooth) and refill. That happened once - no more!

There are some good dentists out there who are honest I'm sure. I guess I just have not been lucky enough to find a decent (and relatively honest) one. I always recommend a second opinion. And if you want to be really sneaky, tell them you don't have any dental insurance and see how important it is (your treatment) to them then.

I've had that gum surgery. I could see that my gums were pretty recessed though. But I'm a little perturbed to hear that your relatives had the surgery and still lost their teeth! Hope that doesn't happen to me. I'm quite a good flosser though. The dentist tells me all the time to floss and with lamblike obedience I do just that. I'm Flossie the Sheep!

You know, all of my grandparents had dentures. Funny things, dentures. And my friend's dad has had dentures since he was in his thirties - he's only 60 now. I mean, in a way it gets rid of all the problems, but it just seems very odd to take your teeth out every night!

 

[Smith1942]

Yes, some dentist are money-grubbers.
30 yeas ago I was fortunate to find a good honest one who counseled and educated me extensively on my first visit about our partnership to take my teeth to the grave.

I do not have dental insurance.

Note: My dentist tells me that waterpics, if not used correctly, can lead to tooth loss.
Be very careful to never point the jet of water towards the root of the tooth.
This can:
1. Help the gum separate from the tooth deeper and deeper over time
2. Force bacteria deeper into the pockets it helps create

Always point the water jet parallel to the gumline.

That is very interesting about water picks. I didn't know they had any dangers. I mean, I don't use one - I use traditional floss because I like to bend and wrap it around, feeling I can precision-control where it goes. Are the picks supposed to be better than floss?

 

[kenny]

My SO of 14 years is about 40, refused to floss or visit a dentist regularly, and got dentures 3 years ago.
When I visit his family, where nobody flosses, they say tooth loss just runs in the family

It is very hard to not launch into my arrogant self-righteous dental care lecture, especially around the kids.
One kid saw my floss in the bathroom and brought it out to the living room where everyone was and asked, "Uncle Kenny, what's this?"
It was a teaching moment that I let slip by.
Any lesson would have insulted and embarrassed all the adults in the room.

 

[Smith1942]

My SO of 14 years is about 40, refused to floss or visit a dentist regularly, and got dentures 3 years ago.
When I visit his family, where nobody flosses, they say tooth loss just runs in the family

It is very hard to not launch into my arrogant self-righteous dental care lecture, especially around the kids.
One kid saw my floss in the bathroom and brought it out to the living room where everyone was and asked, "Uncle Kenny, what's this?"
It was a teaching moment that I let slip by.
Any lesson would have insulted and embarrassed all the adults in the room.

Oh, that's gotta be annoying! (ETA: Tried to bold that entire line but it wouldn't work. You'll have to pretend!)

Do you floss once a day or twice, Kenny? How much flossing is too much? I've only been told to do it once, but....

The other thing is, I make a point of doing it at night and not in the morning, because at night you have the food of the day between your teeth and you don't want it sitting there overnight.

 

[kenny]

That is very interesting about water picks. I didn't know they had any dangers. I mean, I don't use one - I use traditional floss because I like to bend and wrap it around, feeling I can precision-control where it goes. Are the picks supposed to be better than floss?

IMO floss is vastly superior to waterpics at removing plaque.

Here's my bedtime routine:
Brush
Floss
Brush
Waterpick, sometimes with a little Hydrogen Peroxide thrown into the warmed up tapwater.

Also after flossing I'll run distilled or reverse-ossmosis water through the $70 waterpic machine so mineral residue does not build up over the years.

 

[Smith1942]

Ah, but you can brush too much. That's bad for your gums. So if you brush twice at night and once in the morning, that's quite a lot of abrasion on your gums, no?

 

[kenny]

That is very interesting about water picks. I didn't know they had any dangers. I mean, I don't use one - I use traditional floss because I like to bend and wrap it around, feeling I can precision-control where it goes. Are the picks supposed to be better than floss?

Yes, the wrap around technique is important.
It removed plaque from a greater area of the tooth than just holding the floss straight.
Also go as deeply as you comfortably can, but don't push too hard because that can lead to gum recession.
Keep flossing up and down till you hear it squeak ... squeaky clean.

IMO, and that of my dentist, floss is vastly superior to waterpics at removing plaque.
Waterpick is NOT a substitute for flossing, but is groovy as a last step after flossing.

Here's my bedtime routine:
Brush
Floss
Brush
Waterpick, sometimes with a little Hydrogen Peroxide thrown into the warmed up tapwater.

Also after flossing I'll run distilled or reverse-ossmosis water through the $70 waterpic machine so mineral residue does not build up over the years.

 

[JulieN]

Floss is better.

Brush gently and floss daily.

 

[kenny]

Ah, but you can brush too much. That's bad for your gums. So if you brush twice at night and once in the morning, that's quite a lot of abrasion on your gums, no?

True, and don't press too hard when you brush.
Here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACgPHDzTHaU

I think we have some dental pros here ... do you notice anything in this video that you don't agree with?

 

[kenny]

Do you floss once a day or twice, Kenny? How much flossing is too much? I've only been told to do it once, but....

The other thing is, I make a point of doing it at night and not in the morning, because at night you have the food of the day between your teeth and you don't want it sitting there overnight.

I floss religiously at bedtime and occasionally during the day, especially if I can feel food stuck between teeth.
I keep floss in my car too.

If you are going to do it once a day bedtime is best so your teeth can spend 8 hours plaque-free.
Brushing and flossing after breakfast is something my hygienist has recommended only during the last year.
She monitors my pockets and deeper pockets indicate a need for more/better cleaning.



Back in the 70s in boot camp they told us it takes about 24 hours for bacteria to turn into plaque so daily flossing was probably an appropriate recommendation for the masses.
Also cleaning too much, or too aggressively, may cause gum recession ... hence the once a day thing.

But you can use brush and floss gently and effectively and if your hygienist recommends more than once a day I'd listen.
Even if you do not get such a professional recommendation IMO brushing and flossing twice a day is groovy if you are not aggressive.

 

[lovebug1031]

Nothing personal.
With half of Americans failing I never miss a chance to preach dental health.
Sorry if I'm annoying, but maybe one poster will read my posts and start flossing or floss more often.



I've lived in other countries for 5 years, so I know a bit about how Americans are viewed.

not gonna lie...i immediately flossed when i started reading this thread! lol

 

[lovebug1031]

When I was in my early thirties a dentist wanted to do gum surgery to 'save my teeth'. My mother had had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth, my sister also had the surgery and ended up loosing her teeth and she is six years younger than I. I do have good teeth and bad gums, but I aggressively brush, floss and use a water pic supplemented by Listerine to help fight the infection. I still have all of my teeth and I'm 64 - that was over 30 years ago.

Let's not forget, dentists make money by filling teeth, performing surgery - basically, by finding something wrong and keep you coming back for more. I had one filling - the dentist insisted it needed to be replaced. By doing so he had to 'clean out the cavity' (file down more good tooth) and refill. That happened once - no more!

There are some good dentists out there who are honest I'm sure. I guess I just have not been lucky enough to find a decent (and relatively honest) one. I always recommend a second opinion. And if you want to be really sneaky, tell them you don't have any dental insurance and see how important it is (your treatment) to them then.

For some reason a lot of people don't seem to "get" this...I've gone to the same dentist for nearly 20 years...he's honest and doesn't do unnecessary stuff! I went to another dentist ONCE bc my normal dentist wasn't a listed provider, i'll never make that mistake again! The new dentist told me i needed 4 filling! Needless to say I went back to my regular dentist and asked, he told me no, those spots are fine - we've been watching them for the past 10 years and they haven't changed! Most dentists are out to make money...so many people I know have started going to the dentist after not having been in years and they tell them they need gum surgery and custom night guards and whatnot...get another opinion!

I'll be moving to another state in the near future, and am most scared to find a new dentist!

 

[kenny]

I've gone to the same dentist for nearly 20 years...he's honest and doesn't do unnecessary stuff! I went to another dentist ONCE bc my normal dentist wasn't a listed provider, i'll never make that mistake again! The new dentist told me i needed 4 filling! Needless to say I went back to my regular dentist and asked, he told me no, those spots are fine - we've been watching them for the past 10 years and they haven't changed!

It sounds like that dentist recommending the 4 new fillings was money-grubbing, but ...
One thing I've learned from my dentist is decisions are not so black and white.
Xrays are not perfect.
Often an old filling blocks the view of new decay or a filling that 'leaks' which means it no longer seals well against the tooth, letting in food and bacteria that leads to decay.
Enamel discoloration may or may not indicate decay.
Part of dentistry is detective work and often there are only suspicions not absolute conclusions about what's going on inside a tooth.

My dentist will describe to me the many factors that make him suspect an old filling or crown may need replacing.
He has a little probe with a camera in it so I can see the issue on a TV monitor.
Then he leaves the decision up to me.
I'll often reply, "Well, you're the doctor. What do you recommend?".
Then he'll repeat everything he said before and ask me again, "What do you want to do?"

I appreciate this approach of educating and including the patient in the decisions.
But yes, I do believe some dentists err on the side of profit.

 

[amc80]

I'll be moving to another state in the near future, and am most scared to find a new dentist!

DH and I have an awesome dentist. We have already said that if/when we move out of the area we will come back here twice a year for the dentist.

 

[JewelFreak]

With the length of floss I've used, I reckon I could tie one end to a lamppost in Brighton, one end to a lamppost in Boston, and feel my way home!

I know how you feel; it's a chore too, isn't it?

It is a different outlook. British (lack of) dentistry did come in for some deservedly negative attention but I've noticed in the past several years that Brit smiles have improved a lot. But others too -- when I lived in Holland, we Yanks all went home for a dentist visit. My husband is Dutch & had never had his teeth cleaned (other than scraping with a pick) before he came to the States. Makes him sound gross -- he must have had good toothpaste because he smiled a lot, brightly. lol).

Britain can't compare with Japan, however. I've NEVER seen such bizarre things in people's mouths as there, and folks walking around with black dead teeth, broken teeth, well, I won't go into more detail. Much decay due to carbohydrates (rice) in the diet & no teeth cleaning, according to my dentist.

How one's nationality is seen from the outside is always startling -- fun, isn't it? Living & working all over Europe & Asia, I had a great time pricking those balloons. Hope you do too -- how about some stories, Smith?

--- Laurie

 

[kenny]

I used to work with a guy everyone called Dog Breath.
No joke, even the nicest proper ladies called him Dog Breath.

He never bushed, let alone flossed.
He told us once he had to go to a dentist for terrible tooth pain.
The dentist took one look, (maybe one whiff) left the room and sent the hygienist in to clean his teeth.
Only then would the dentist get near him.

Dog Breath told us that after that visit he was grossed out because it felt like there was SPACE between his teeth.
He vowed to never go to a dentist ever again.

People sure do vary! UGH!

 

[gregchang35]

Kenny, It is really great to hear that your dentist and dental hygienist have had and still does have a great impact on your oral health care. Unfortunately, you are part of a minority. Yes, gum disease affects ALOT of ppl. Oral diseases are preventable but like most things with health, ppl ( I generalize and I know that some ppl are not like this) tend to ignore it till it is too late. When it is too late, there usually are not a lot of options to treat it easily.

I want to thank you for sharing your general dental knowledge to this group.

 

[AprilBaby]

Nothing personal.
With half of Americans failing I never miss a chance to preach dental health.
Sorry if I'm annoying, but maybe one poster will read my posts and start flossing or floss more often.



I've lived in other countries for 5 years, so I know a bit about how Americans are viewed.

Kenny, you need to come do my job! Btw, almost every one of my adult patients needs a NG because they grind their teeth. Another way to lose perfectly healthy teeth.