[htss2013]

Mind expanding on the lack of data for cleanings?

I got busy, then pandemic, next thing I know it's been like 7 years since I've seen a dentist. No problems or discomfort whatsoever. It occurred to me that bi annual cleanings are the SaaSification of dentistry, but I've never seen any real evidence.

[toast0]

I'm happy to go for regular cleanings, but I don't know how you could construct a well designed study to get data showing objectively what interval of cleanings results in better outcomes over many years. There's just too many uncontrolled variables. And, I don't think you can glean it from population studies either, because again, there are too many variables.

[JeremyNT]

Routine dental visits are essentially cargo culted.

There is some robust evidence indicating that routine plaque removal does not improve outcomes for cavity prevention or gingivitis [0].

Routine consultation with dentists otherwise may be beneficial, maybe not, but it hasn't really been studied much yet. The studies that exist are insufficient to form any conclusions. [1]

My post was downvoted by those who feel going to the dentist is important. I should state clearly avoiding the dentist should not be considered medical advice from me, and YMMV. I did the research myself and determined that routine dentistry was unlikely to improve my health outcomes, this is a personal decision that people should make on their own.

[0] https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD...

[1] https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD...

[htss2013]

The fact that these were published in 2018, implying before then it was never really studied, is sort of crazy.

The cost of biannual dentist visits for life is huge across the entire population. I would have thought there was strong evidence for this a long time ago. If nothing else, I would have thought insurance companies would stop paying for the bi-annual visits if there wasn't good evidence it works.

Then again, maybe I'm giving insurance companies to much credit since they've been paying for acupuncture for decades.

[latchkey]

for many years, i went for cleanings every 6 months. zero problems, usually in and out without any pain.

i didn't go for a couple years and just had one of the worst experiences at a cleaning in quite some time. super painful, a lot of build up.

i haven't changed my brushing/flosing habits at all, but i did switch toothpastes to non-flouride.

now, i'm back on the 6 month schedule and back to flouride. i also switched to a tablet based toothpaste (tidalove). you chew it (don't swallow) and then brush. the pill has a bunch of other good stuff in it too. kind of neat cause it is also zero waste packaging.

[foobiekr]

The addition of vitamin c is absolutely baffling. You don’t want to brush your teeth within half an hour of eating anything acidic.

[latchkey]

Not trying to justify it, but fact is that even "popular" brands have it.

https://www.colgate.com/en-za/colgate-total-vitamin-c

[texuf]

I’ve never had a cavity. Still like to go to the dentist and get the plaque scraped off. I also cracked a tooth from grinding my teeth at night and he fixed that up for me.