I went to the dentist six months ago and was told that everything looked absolutely perfect. I brush two times a day and don't really floss regularly. Last month, I went back to the same office (different dentist) and was told that I had about twenty cavities. They said that every single one of them were in between my teeth and due to the fact that I don't floss as often as I should. Is this possible for me to develop so many cavities so quickly or should I get a second opinion?
2007-01-01 07:42:22 · 6 answers · asked by l_ori_e 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Yes it is possible to get that many cavities if you are not flossing. Yes, you can get a second opinion. If you are not comfortable with the dentist you are seeing I would def. get a second opinion. (just remember that consultation appts to have a fee..so don't be surprised) If you can get copies of your x-rays and have them sent to the new dentist for the consultation it would save you having to pay for new ones. May take a few days. There may also be a small charge for the copying. Did your dietary habits change in the last six months? Quit smoking?...etc. Think of each cavity that is in-between two teeth as a cavity on both of those teeth. Can also have another cavity on the same tooth on the opposite side where it touches the next tooth. You should def. floss regularly. All of the cavities may have been there before but not large enough to need fillings. They may have developed into bigger cavities in six months and now need to be filled. :)
2007-01-01 11:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by coaster14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a second oppinion. I had a dentist do terrible work one time and went straight to another dentist afterwards. The new dentist called the dentist who did it and had him pay to do all the work over. * fillings and a teeth cleaning and I was out of the office in an hour. That is when I KNEW something was up. The old dentist said I had 8 cavities including one in between my two front teeth. I didnt want him to do that one and upon second xray there was no cavity there according to the new dentist. Trust your instincts!!
2007-01-01 15:52:58 · answer #2 · answered by ♥monamarie♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A second opinion is fine, and most dentists wouldn't get offended.
But I have seen patients come to my office and say that their last dentist said that they didn't have any cavities at their last 6 month checkup, and we take x-rays and also use an instrument called a Diagnodent, and find multiple cavities.
Why??? Well, some dentists, take the watch and see approach. Meaning they see a small area of decalcification and leave it alone till it gets larger. Others feel that these small cavities still need to be filled.
2007-01-01 18:17:42 · answer #3 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion. I hardly ever flossed before, and I didn't have any cavities in between my teeth. And that sounds like a lot of cavities. Better off getting another opinion. You wouldn't want to get unnecessary treatment and spend an unnecessary amount of money.
2007-01-01 19:58:27 · answer #4 · answered by Heather <33 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all cavities progress - but if they do it really looks bad on front teeth - Readers Digest had an expose on this type of thing about 7 years ago. Take your xrays to a different dentist not in the same group.
2007-01-01 15:51:39 · answer #5 · answered by justwondering 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
second opinion cant hurt
2007-01-01 15:49:33 · answer #6 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋