Obviously NWR: Teeth

bel138

So I just went to a new dentist. I go every 6 months pretty faithfully. At the beginning of the appointment, everything was all great. She says things like, "Oh wow, you have virgin teeth. No cavities. That's great! Everything looks pretty good in here. You should floss more (which I know)."Then, after the appointment is over, she says something like, "Alright, you have spots on your teeth. And they're here (she points to every single one of my molars). These spots aren't cavities, but in my experience as a dentist, they will turn into cavities eventually. And if you let them go, they'll get deeper, and then your teeth will turn black."WHAT?!?! Why didn't you tell me all this before? I mean, I go to a dentist regularly, and none of them has ever said anything about "spots" on my teeth before. I haven't changed my hygiene in the past 6 months. Is this just what happens as you get older? Am I unusual that I haven't had any cavities yet, and I'm just getting them all at once now?All she could say was that even though they aren't cavities, they need filled. I'm in no pain. I have no sensitivities to heat/cold, sweet/sour food. Do I really need these "spots" done? How much do these things run? I was in so much shock I was just like, "Uhh....I'll call you about scheduling."

king26

Hi there, can you just get sealants on them instead?  i know sealants are for kids under 12 or whatever, but I had something similiar.  I did not have any cavities, nor have I ever, but there were 3 molars they were concerned about.  They told me even though I was 26 at the time I could pay to have sealants.  I think it was 23 dollars a tooth...totally worth it and I haven't had any trouble with those teeth, and the dentist says they look great!

bel138

I guess I'm just freaking out because I've never had a cavity, and now this dentist I don't even know is saying that all of my molars, so 16 of my 28 teeth, have "spots" that aren't cavities. I've seen bad cavities, with giant brown holes in the sides of teeth. Whatever is going on in my mouth is NOT that. I can't even see these "spots" she's talking about. She didn't even take x-rays.Is this normal for my age? Why all of a sudden? Should I get the opinion of a second dentist? If they aren't cavities, why are you telling me my teeth are going to turn black?

dreamalotmp

I HATE teeth stories or dentist stories. Whenever my friends talk about those two things in front of me, I literally plug my ears.

bel138

Sorry Molly! FI just told me to calm down because I'm so worked up I'm sitting here crying like a baby.

morganphd

Here's my story: The only fillings that I have in my mouth are from a dentist who decided to "pick" at spots that I had on my molars.  I was in so much pain from him picking at them, that I made him stop and told him I was going to see another dentist.  So, I left, with holes in my teeth and got an emergency appt. with another dentist.  When I went to the other dentist, he asked what in the world the first dentist was talking about, that the spots were just spots and not necessarily cavities, but that you needed to wait those things out.  He had to drill and fix the holes that the first dentist had seen - the only fillings that I have.  The other "spots" have turned into nothing so far, and it's been 15 years.Get a second opinion.

dicer2

I just let things go unless they tell me it's a true cavity.  I have had the sealant put on my molars too.

McBridetobe

When I went to the other dentist, he asked what in the world the first dentist was talking about, that the spots were just spots and not necessarily cavities, but that you needed to wait those things out.I have 2 on my back molars - zero cavities to date.  My dentist said the same thing...you just have to wait, they could end up being nothing, etc.  My dentist actually thought they might have been from having braces.

Brianne R

Just wait it out. Sorry you're so upset. I understand teeth issues no matter what I do it's something with mine.

morganphd

KR - We're pretty sure that mine are from tetracycline that my mother was on when she was pregnant.

LaFemmeRousse

Definitely get a second opinion!  I've had several friends with horror stories of dentists making people get teeth filled for no reason, just to make money.  Several of my aunts and uncles are dentists and I've never heard of anyone getting "spots" filled.Sealants could be an option for you, like a PP said.

[Deleted User]

I had a dentist tell me once that I was going to need to have all of my teeth sealed and capped and crowned and that my silver, old-school fillings were going to need to be replaced with the new white kinds.  I went for a second opinion and the new dentist told me that the first dentist is famous for saying these kinds of things to get extra money, because the insurance coverage for the things he wanted to do is notoriously poor.Get a second opinion.