My whole family went to the dentist yesterday. We have only been to this dentist's office once. Before that, we had seen our previous dentist for 15+ years. We moved to a new state last year so we had to find a new dentist.
Yesterday, they told my husband that all his fillings were cracked/stained and needed to be replaced (they made no mention of this 6 months ago). At my last visit they told me I had 3 cavities, but I was a little doubtful so I chose to just wait. Yesterday they told me I have 9 cavities. I have very good teeth and I haven't had a cavity for years. My husband and I feel like they are just trying to make $$ off of us. We almost feel like this is a scam. I can buy that I might have a couple cavities - but 9???? I'm calling our old dentist today to get their take on it. I think this dentist just opened so maybe they are trying to make as much money as they can until they get a client base? Bees, do you think this sounds legit?
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@JMOM: Sounds like a second opinion is called for!!
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if it smells fishy, it's enough to get a second opinion. Did you get x-rays? You can see cavities on an x-ray so i'd send them to your old dentist.
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Sounds fishy to me! I have gone to the same dentist for most of my life, at one point my insurance didn't cover her so I went somewhere else. They told me I had 6 cavities. I didn't believe them so I went back to her. Turns out I only had 1. She said she saw some spots that were at risk for cavities but gave me a special toothpaste (free) to fix them. I would definitely get a second opinion!
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It's been my experience that some dentists are very proactive and eager to attack problems, and some are more willing to try interventions first, such as @CakeLady: explained with the toothpaste. I would definitely get a second opinion.
I have a lot of gum problems (thanks genetics) and while looking for a periodontist was told everything from I needed an implant to I need to have my jaw broken and reset - ha. I chose to go with the periodontist that took the laid-back approach and lots of intervention and I'm happy so far.
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Yeah, I'd seek a 2nd opinion for sure. At our most recent appointment, my husband and I were both told that we have cavities. They only found them because they used this special light that supposedly can see "deep" cavities. We both postponed our fillings. I'm thinking of finding a new office. I feel like we're getting duped.
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I agree with the others to get a second opinion! However, just wanted to say I recently had an appointment where I had 8 cavities after having none at my previous appointment (my dentist is a close family member and I don't even pay them, so I definitely did have that many). In my case, I think it was due to pregnancy, extended breastfeeding, and my MSPI diet...my body just didn't have enough calcium for me plus LO. So while it seems unlikely that you have 9 cavities, it could be possible. Definitely get another opinion though!
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It sounds a bit sketchy... some dentists really don't have your best interest in mind, and you should definitely get a second opinion. I had a dentist once who kept "fixing" the same cavity over and over, and did such a great job that the tooth ended up cracking and needed a root canal. So I'm very wary of unnecessary work that ends up causing more problems than it fixed!
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I would also get a second option cause I went from having 0 cavities as a kid to a dozen from 18-22. I think my saliva chemistry changed and I ended up with a bunch in between my teeth. There was no arguing with the dentist, I could see on the x-ray the big dark shadow. If I had waited any longer I would have needed a root canal.
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I would ask them to show me the cavities on the X-ray or in the mouth. A second opinion isn't a bad idea, but also no two dentists will ever come up with the exact same treatment plan.
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I would get a second opinion. Sounds kind of fishy to me!
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@mrsrugbee: it's not your saliva chemistry, it's the types of bacteria you are colonized with. Some are really nasty!
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@Mrs. Jacks: the doctor had mentioned something about acidic saliva. It's probably some kind of combination of bacteria, acid and being a reckless college student
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@mrsrugbee: hmm, I'm not a dentist, so that very well could be right
I know I get more cavities when I do call and stay up all night.
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I fell for a dentist scam right after college. I got 7 fillings at once after only having one growing up and through college. The next dentist I went to looked horrified and told me I had been swindled. Ever since then I've spent most of my dental budget replacing the crappy work that one dentist did.
I would definitely get a 2nd opinion. I wish I had.
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Same thing happened to me but it was just 1 cavity. I saw the X-ray - it was there !! Lol - I would ask to see proof or start seeing someone else
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I would definitely get a second opinion! That seems like a lot of cavities, especially if you aren't prone to cavities! I have never had a cavity. I went to a new dentist and they told me I had 6!! I was like okay? Well I ignored them, went to a new dentist 6 months later, made no mention of any cavities and I had no cavities! Sooo....I'm not a dentist, but I would definitely just get a second look.
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I would definitely get a second opinion, especially if you feel suspicious in your gut.
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@mrsrugbee: @Mrs. Jacks: my Dentist told me the same thing re: having acidic saliva and recommended drinking water with a touch of baking soda to help alter the pH.
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@Kemma: interesting. I wonder if the acidity is caused by bacteria altering the pH or if the acidity causes different bacteria to grow?
We need a Bee dentist! Seriously, I had to replace my own crown temporarily last weekend. I could have used a bee dentist support
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@Mrs. Jacks: @yellowbird: is a dentist, I believe!
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@Mrs. Jacks: I am a dentist! Elevated mouth acidity can definitely lead toward more tooth decay. Saliva is protective so dry mouth is the leading cause of mouth acidity. Also, acid reflux and obviously sugary drinks/snacks cause mouth acidity as well. The bacteria that cause cavities thrive in an acid environment and that's why you'll see more cavities.
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@yellowbird: thank you! I wish I had you last weekend when I was watching you tube videos on how to replace a crown!
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@Mrs. Jacks: hahaha!! I'm sure you did just fine. As long as you don't use superglue.. Never, ever use superglue!
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@yellowbird: I used Kerr Tempobond :). My dentist said I did a really good job. He struggled to get it off when he did the repair. I thought I was headed for a root canal but he said everything looked great. I love my dentist and I have mad respect for what you do!
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I'd ask to see the x-rays and get a second opinion too. I wish I had before getting all my cavities filled.
@mrsrugbee: This happened to me too! Shortly after I went to college I switched dentists and all of a sudden I had a ton of cavities. I wish I had gotten a second opinion and asked to see the xrays before getting it fixed. After college I've had a few here and there but not the dozen like when I was 18 or 19.
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Something similar happened to me once, and apparently it is a real thing some shady dentists do to get more insurance $$, called "drilling for dollars." I went back to my old dentist for a second opinion, and sure enough, I didn't have a cavity where the new one said I did. Also, the tooth I let the new dentist fill previously, most likely hadn't had one either, my old dentist said when looking at the x-rays, but it was hard to tell for certain since the tooth had been drilled and filled by then. Get a second opinion before doing any dental work!
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@JMOM: I would absolutely ask for a second opinion.
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