I recently went to the Dentist - not all the horror it is cracked up to be - I actually have never seen the other end of a drill bit. Yep, we (my dentist and myself) were reviewing my dental records and he said, “WOW, Phlosphr, you have never had a cavity…that’s pretty good for being in your mid thirties”
I agreed, and simply chaulk it up to having flouride pumped into the drinking water when I was a child, which actually happened in many areas over the years in the early 80’s.
So, anyone else have a good long run sans a cavity in their maw?
Not really. But after 16 years of no dental care (between getting my braces off and getting dental insurance as an adult), I only had two small ones, and no real problems. Pretty amazing right there, especially considering I didn’t floss, either, during that time.
I made it to 31, and that was the year a molar cracked in half. Still is, actually. Since it doesn’t hurt, I haven’t done anything about it. Prob’ly should get that taken care of soon…
I’m in my late thirties. I went to the dentist recently for the first time in a decade and had an X-ray. After a few minutes, I heard the nurse out the back say “Oh, you’re fucking kidding me”. Yep, still no cavities or other problems (although I did have to lose my wisdom teeth). I took fluoride tablets when I was little.
38 years old, no cavities. (2 pits filled when I was around 7.)
Just the other day I was being fitted with a mouthguard to protect my good fortune and chatted with my dentist for the first time. Since all I normally have done is cleaning by the hygenist, the dentist herself only spends about 5 minutes a year with me.
Anyway, I asked her how many cavities a typical 40 year old in the U.S. has had.
She thought it’s about fifteen! :eek:
50, baby! I do have two fillings I got just a couple months ago, but they were “inside” the tooth…never emerged. They found them with some sonar thingy. I had him do the work in hopes of avoiding trouble down the road, but with my record shattered, it was an emotionally disturbing experience.
I got the porcelain fillings. You cannot tell they’re there.
I’m not close to 30, but I think us younger types will be less likely to have cavities. Regular dental care, brushing, fluoridated water, and those sealers dentists use these days all help.
At 25 (my last dental checkup), I had two tiny cavities (only one worth filling although I haven’t had it done). No fluoride in our water supply. AFAIK, our only source of fluoride is the toothpaste itself. Recently our town proposed fluoridating the water supply, and was met with a huge hostile reaction. Personally, I’d always thought it was fluoridated and was surprised to find it wasn’t.
38 years old here and I had one very small soft spot filled just last year. Had they not had a laser tool for looking at tooth density, they would have never found it. No other cavities otherwise.
If nobody minds a slight hijack, I had three in my early twenties, which I’m still in. I attribute it to certain living conditions, and sometimes falling asleep without brushing. Not that often but enough I guess because I never had any as a kid. Anyway, one was right on top of a molar. I got the new, white filling type, and ever since that tooth has been sensitive to the cold. Does anybody else have this problem?
I’m still a couple years away from 30, but so far no cavities. I had braces as an adult a few years ago, and my orthodontist always complimented me on how well I took care of my teeth.
When I was a kid I had sealants put in to prevent cavities. We lived in Germany when I was younger, and while they didn’t have flouride in the water I do remember them making us swish with flouride in school twice a year or so.
I’m way overdue for a regular dentist appointment and I’m a little apprehensive about breaking my streak. I can’t see any cavities, but all of my wisdom teeth have partially eruped, and I’m worried about the nooks and crannies I can’t see behind them.
AdoptaTeens receive a crisp $100 bill if they make it to their 16th birthday with no cavities (the kids we’ve reared from birth anyway - four of the six). So far, we’ve paid two of them off and a third is well on her way at 14 yo and cavity free.
Never underestimate the power of MONEY as a motivator
