No Cavities!

[OakLeaf]

Any suggestions on getting DH to go to the dentist?

He had a horrendous childhood experience too, has massive teeth problems and just will not go.

The last time he went (for some extractions, since he'd let them get beyond where the teeth could be saved) he had IV sedation. They gave him Vicodin for afterwards, I made sure he took one before he was fully conscious, and he didn't even finish the scrip so I believe him when he says the pain wasn't that bad. But that's been 7-8 years ago and he won't go back, not even to get bridges made.

It's bad now and it's going to be a lot worse. I realize it's his mouth and his health... and I can live with the mouth noises he makes when he eats... but he's got a history of diabetes and kidney trouble in his family which I know chronic infection can be really bad for that. It seems like I ought to be able to do something more to encourage him to go???


myself, I've gotten four crowns in the last three years... four more to go, thanks to an orthodontist who followed the fads when I was a kid, ruined my bite and resulted in my crushing all my back teeth.

[emily_in_nc]

Any suggestions on getting DH to go to the dentist?

Unfortunately, it's difficult with an adult since it's totally his choice. I found out a few years ago that my step-sister hadn't been to the dentist in years, so I nagged at her a bit, but ultimately it had to be her making that choice. (She did finally go.) Same with getting a DH to go to the doctor. I may be his spouse and partner, but I am not his keeper.

As much as I hate the dentist (see my post above), I go...I just make sure to get the conscious sedation whenever I have to have more than a cleaning done. My DH hates it too, but goes, fortunately.

Good luck, Oakleaf!

[bmccasland]

It's that time of year again... the reminder card is sitting on my desk. Let's just say, I'm SO happy Dr. B. came back and rebuilt! He tries to be gentle, uses prenumbing goo before the shot. I think the better dentists are fully aware of the dental fear factor and do their best to be gentle. Then there are the brutes... Maybe if the brutes sat in their own chairs, and then in a chair of a gentle dentist and had to choose? Or maybe for some folks, there's no hope?

[Biciclista]

my cousin DIED because of not taking care of his teeth. He was 60 years old and in very good health, out working on a roof on Friday and on Saturday morning, dead in bed. Infection from tooth invaded his heart and killed him. Rotten teeth are nothing to mess around with.