Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Take Charge of Your (Dental) Health

I used to be wimpy when it came to standing up for myself...but NOT LONGER!

Let me tell you my story.

Last summer, I went to a new dentist. I should say, I made an appointment to see a dentist. After they canceled my appointment two times, I finally went to see said dentist. He looked at my teeth for 2 minutes (tops!), tried to sell me a fancy toothbrush, a dental implant (what?!), and said on his way out, "Oh, by the way, you have two very small cavities. Make an appointment to have those filled."

Apart from having braces at the age of 5 (don't ask!), I have always had perfect teeth. I have never had a cavity in my life. I was a little shocked to hear that I, all of a sudden, had TWO!

I didn't believe him.

There was no way I was going to spend 100s of dollars on filling cavities I didn't have (no dental insurance at the time). I did some internet research, and decided (perhaps foolishly) that I would wait another 6 months, and get a second opinion.

I went to a different dentist in our new community. He spent lots of time looking at my teeth, said that my molars are unusually pitted, but that I do not have any cavities. He also didn't try to sell me a toothbrush or an implant.

Moral of the story: get a second opinion. I'm so glad I did.

1 comment:

femputer said...

oh my goodness. I can't believe your old dentist would fill non-cavities!