Found Out Today I have 8 Cavities

BunSnoop · ‎05-22-2010

I'm 63 years old and have only had 1 cavity in my life. Today, went to the dentist and found out I had EIGHT. I'm very good about brushing my teeth and using a water pik water flosser. What a shock it was. I guess I just thought I was going to be one of those that never had issues with cavities - guess I was wrong. It hit me rather hard for some reason and I found myself crying in the doctor's office. I feel stupid that I did that but it just happened - the tears just started flowing. Anyone else ever find out they had that many cavities at one visit?

LuvmyLab · ‎06-07-2010

I would not blame yourself if you have been brushing and flossing regularly. Sometimes things just happened. It sounds like you did all you could. Try not to be so hard on yourself. Take care!

arizele · ‎12-31-2018

I would suggest a bone density test. I recently had one and found out I have osteoporosis. I had no idea. It can affect your teeth as well. If its not that, look at diet. Acidic foods or soda?

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

Have you been going to this dentist regularly?? In the past I had gone to a new dentist because we had moved and he said I had 3 cavities. Went back to my former dentist and he found no cavities. It is hard to know if the dentist is being truthful. I would be suspicious.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

Please go for a second opinion. Same thing happened to my DH a while back, he was told he had 8 cavities, and refused to believe it,went for a second opinion, and was told he only had 2. Had those 2 filled by the second dentist and never looked back.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Do you have full confidence in this dentist? While it's probably true, that's kind of hard to believe.

BunSnoop · ‎05-22-2010

I do like my diet soda - I guess I'll have to cut that out as it appears even though it's diet it still has the acid regular soda has.

I go to the dentist every 6 months faithfully and also get the flouride put on my teeth, but I guess I may have to try adding more water to my diet rather that diet soda.

I just did a Google search and it says that the average American has 3 fillings - oh my, I'm really now going to be above the average.

I think I believe the dentist as she showed me the xrays and also showed me where some of the teeth are "sticky".

Just makes me sad.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

The only time I had an ominous diagnosis with a dentist was when I first got out on my own. We didn't get dental care as kids (or toothpaste), so as each of us got out (back then jobs had great med ins that included dental), we each had to go have a BIG dentist visit. It was like - put you to sleep and fill all the cavities.

One thing I do and this might sound stupid, but it IS valid, is that whenever I eat or drink anything acidic (that includes sugary, if you drink coffee or tea (I don't do coffee but some tea in the winter), carbonated, chocolate - ANYTHING that is acidic), I make sure I rinse my mouth out with water and keep drinking my water to keep diluting anything that could be affecting my teeth.

When I told them at the dentist's office that I had figured this out I was told that it was an excellent idea and that it WILL make a difference. I don't drink soft drinks much at all but when I do, there is also a bottle of water at hand. I do like my sweet treats, in moderation, and also make sure I'm drinking plenty of water with them and doing at least one 'rinse' with the water to infiltrate all the tooth and gum areas.

I do think it has made a difference.

All this, of course, along with using my Waterpik at least once a day and purposeful brushing. I do 2-4 minutes with my Cybersonic toothbrush at night. But I think drinking plenty of water and rinsing has definitely had a positive impact.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I would get a second opinion before going further with this dentist. Fluoride is also controversial. It's considered a neurotoxin.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

you might see what might be making your teeth soft that would be easier for cavities to enter the tooth. Are you on medications.... or doing any kind of therapy like chemo or such...?

hopefully you are using a good prescription floride tooth paste daily...

I see you are getting floride treatments twice a year from your dentist. that is good.

I have to say that sometimes no matter WHAT we do.... things just start happening after age 65, I am so careful with my diet and lifestyle... yet found out I have borderline high cholestrol and borderline high blood pressure.... it is depressing...