re: Are 6 month dental cleanings necessary in this day and age?

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Haven’t been to a dentist since I had my wisdom teeth removed in 2011 and have never had major dental issues. I also take poor care of my teeth and I dip.

My wife on the other hand has had around $10k of dental work done over the last 2 years and takes care of her teeth fanatically.

Genetics are weird.

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You dumb

I floss everyday, brush 3 times a day and use listerine. I think im ocd about clean teeth. I brush multiple times when i fly over 5 hrs, dont think i know anyone who does it as much as me.

I literally have been having the same internal argument with myself. Had to cancel a 6 month appointment about a year ago and haven't rescheduled yet.

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300.00 isn’t much if you catch something early, major dental work is expensive

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I just paid $800 for clearing out an infection. Prescriptions were another $100 or so (3 rounds of antibiotics and some hydro's).

Stabbed my gum aggressively using

(can spot the sharp end on the 2 right ones in the picture)

It's 2 wires twisted to hold the bristles and has a tiny little bit of bare wire on the tip as a result. That tiny little wire poked my gum at the base of a tooth, got a small but nasty infection from it. Then the surgery to clean out when antibiotics didn't kill it caused a secondary infection resulting in a 2nd surgery of about 1/3 of my lower gum.

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My wife on the other hand has had around $10k of dental work done over the last 2 years and takes care of her teeth fanatically.

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Your wife has fake teeth.

I dont think so. Mouth cancers and shite worry me more than tooth issues. Dentistry seems to be a lucrative endeavor. And remember who recommends the 6-mnth checkup interval and why.

Good oral hygiene practices will moreso help maintain healthy gums and prevent tooth mobility and tooth loss from periodontal disease than it will prevent cavities from developing. The latter has more to do with diet and the acidity of the mouth and certainly has a genetic component.

I go every 6 months. I’ve had periods where I didn’t go for a few years at a time, and I was fine, but I like the reassurance of going regularly.

I haven’t had one of these in 5 or more years. I also brush my teeth 2-3 times a day like an adult, so I’ve also had zero cavities.

What's funny to me is the only time in my life I ever had a cavity was in school when I had no dental insurance and had to pay out of pocket for the procedure from a dentist who was the uncle of someone I knew and was giving me a 'deal'. 1 cavity on my entire life. Part of me still questions if I really had one or if they did the procedure just for the dough.