Changed Dentist and I Have 4 Cavities All of a Sudden

Maybe you need to lay off the gummies? Assuming you're pounding the 5 lb bags of Albanese Awesome Blossoms...

Somebody's gotta pay for that new Mercedes. Maybe your dentist will be a pal and let you take a selfie next to it.

best advice is to go back to your old dentist or find a new one.

Cum is corrosive to tooth enamel.

I'm far from an expert, but I think finding cavities has a slight subjective factor to it. Also, dentists job is to find these things, so people might well complain that their guy doesn't find enough cavities!

Did you feel any pain when he prodded at the cavities?

awesome blossom wrote:

Help, how should I handle this? I switched dentists, and my new dentist is saying that I have four cavities. It's been about 10 months since I saw my old dentist. My old dentist never mentioned anything about tooth decay, so I find it weird that four cavities just popped up over 10 months. On the one hand, my other dentist was suspiciously bad and didn't communicate or give me feedback when he checked my teeth. But unless he's just super lazy, wouldn't it be in his interest to find cavities and charge me for fillings? What are the chances that my new dentist is lying about the cavities? He showed me pictures of my teeth with brown bits in the center of my molars.

Take your x-rays to another dentist for a second opinion. I did this when my dentist said I must have my wisdom teeth removed. The 2nd dentist told me I definitely should not have my wisdom teeth removed.

If you have decent dental insurance second opinions should be covered.

I find that this always happens when seeing a new dentist. Seems like an initiation fee or something. They keep turning over dentists in the office I visit, so every couple of years I have a new one that is concerned about something that didn't bother the last one.

Bring Back the 880 wrote:

Did you feel any pain when he prodded at the cavities?

Just one of them. It was a long way from my teeth though..

most dentists will "find" cavities but not the same ones. You went to a new dentist. Hence, a lot of new ones. Studies show little overlap but lots of identification of cavities, just not the same ones.

Your current (or former) dentist is located in Davison, Michigan are they?

Well yah. His summer home isn't going to pay for itself.

The new dentist wants to make money off you obviously

Bingo, you need 4 new fillings.

Bingo, you need a root canal, and a crown.

Bingo, you need 8 more fillings.

Bingo, those teeth fell apart, you need 8 new crowns.

Well those teeth died, you need 10 root canals and 10 crowns.

Well there's nothing left to put new crowns on now.

You need a top and bottom partial.

Well looks like we need to pull all your teeth and fit you with dentures.

There, you're all set. You've been a good patient.

How do you like my new car?

This is why I don't go to the dentist.

Bring Back the 880 wrote:

I'm far from an expert, but I think finding cavities has a slight subjective factor to it. Also, dentists job is to find these things, so people might well complain that their guy doesn't find enough cavities!

Did you feel any pain when he prodded at the cavities?

How can dentists make this stuff up?? Isn't my tooth either decaying or not decaying? And nope, there was no pain whatsoever when the new dentist was poking around. They are my molars, and I don't feel any pain when I eat at all.

What would happen if I don't get these alleged cavities filled?

When I moved away for grad school, my home dentist warmed me about finding a new dentist because they will often try to scam new patients. Your old dentist knows your mouth well, he knows what to look for and how to clean certain areas. New dentists may not and may jump to rash treatments or conclusions. This is all coming from my old dentist. Just food for thought. Can't hurt to get a second opinion.

You just moved to England?

I have a cousin who was a dentist. He never charged anyone in the family for what he did and we almost never had cavities. I had two in something like 40 years. My niece is 28 and went to him all her life and never had a cavity.

He retired last summer and she went to a new dentist who immediately found two cavities. My sister and I both suggested to her that she was being had. No one knows what they're up to in there unless you have something that really is problematic. I'd wait until those cavities are hurting to do anything.

You need to get a second opinion ASAP from another dentist that a friend or family member recommends to you. Preferably a dentist who has the reputation of honesty and doing the minimal work needed.