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by thematrixturtle 1520 days ago
FWIW, dental health outcomes for visiting dentist yearly instead of every 6 months are apparently identical.

Downvoters, have a link to an article discussing some studies: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140926-how-often-must-w...

3 comments

I haven't been to one in 25 years.

I probally pushing my luck?

Have all my teeth. Three cavities. My gums don't bleed when flossing. When brushing I concentrate on the gums.

Use a Sonic toothbrush daily.

Have a neurotic habit of using tooth picks.

(I knew the dentist who developed the plastic tooth picks with floss. I couldn't stand family. Why? Because he was a rich dentist who set all his kids up for life, but couldn't pay his workers a decent wage. He did offer free dental though? His spoiled boy had a 50' racing racing sloop in high school. I am also jealous too.)

I don't like food in my teeth. I usually have a tooth pick within reach at all times.

I am not a fan of sweets though, but put a lot of sugar in my coffee.

Teeth, and gums, are very much prone to the placebo effect. Every study dentists do require a control group, and placebo controls.

If you go to a dentist now they will likely find those cavities have gone deep. I recommend that you do.
FWIW, my cleanings go a lot better if I visit every 4 months than every 6 months, so there's no way I'd consider 6 months. I could certainly have better oral hygiene, but visiting the dentist 3 times a year isn't terrible.
I have a permanent retainer that builds up a little placque even with regular flossing so it’s nice to get that cleaned.