I have 0 cavities...but yet my dentist wants to deep clean me and charge me $267.00 for the pleasure

[HipChick]

[REP]

1. If you're over 40, might be worth it

But this is coming from someone with a spotty history of dental coverage and genetically crappy teeth!

On second thought, that sounds suspiciously cheap. I won't tell you how much my perio costs.

[Deep13]

2. That's about the cost of one dental filling. nt

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. First off, did he say this...

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...in his clinic or over cocktails at a 70's-themed singles bar.
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I can't BEGIN to tell you how many times that line worked for me!!!!
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Though either what HE charges is a bargain or I had an over-inflated
sense of self-worth.
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[HipChick]

6. LOL! I've not been deep cleaned before.. I did have a dr at a singles bar

ask me who did my boobs? and my reply was God...he has a wicked sense of humor

[CBGLuthier]

4. Cavities and gum disease are two different issues

I have never ever had a cavity in my life. I do have issues with my gums that I need to stay on top of.

[Demoiselle]

5. True this...

They are different issues, and your gums (and the protection they give to your teeth and their roots) get dodgier as you get older. I'd have it done.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. From someone who knows the expense of NOT doing enough

for my gum health in the past----do it. That is cheap from what I pay ($500). I have ended up with lost teeth and implants only because of gum disease. Teeth were fine. You have no idea the cost of not doing this.

[Ikonoklast]

8. I'll do it for $50.

[MajorChode]

9. My guess is your dentist is trying to head off gum disease

Just because you haven't had any cavities, doesn't mean you haven't developed periodontal pockets and other problems. While it's possible they are just trying to scam you out of extra charges, my guess is they probably have identified some of those problems and are trying to do an ounce of prevention. Gum problems are NOT something you want to mess with. $267 is really very cheap compared to the suffering and expense you may have later if you don't do it.

[LisaM]

10. Go for it.

I get my teeth cleaned four times a year to stave off gum disease; it's worth it to do preventative cleaning.

[City of Mills]

11. Jeez I just did this in the past two weeks

Hadn't been to the dentist in some time, so they recommended a deep cleaning...did it in two visits, it went well, I had fun with it - making billy idol faces with my half-novocaine'd face. Teeth and gums feel pretty good...and I got a bitchin' toothbrush. Cost $140 with insurance.

[HipChick]

12. I'm going to have to get retainers afterwards...I'm sure the new BF will love that..

[Xipe Totec]

13. I don't trust dentists

They always claim to find a cavity that needs filling.

Trouble is, it's never in the same spot.

They pulled that trick on me twice. 30 years ago.

I am now 55 and the only fillings I have is the ones they put in when I was too stupid to refuse.

30 years ago they told me if they didn't fill the last cavity they found, my tooth would rot away in ten years.

30 years later, the tooth is still there. No stains, no pains, no nothing.

Oh, and I still have my wisdom teeth too.

[HipChick]

14. I still have all my wisdom teeth too..6yrs ago a dentist was adamant that I need to get them all

yanked out...I still never have had a problem with them

[retread]

15. Get it done. Periodontal disease will be exponentially more painful and costly.

[old mark]

16. DO IT! I had it done years ago and have never regreted it...cost a lot more than that,

too. It will keep your teeth healthy for many years to come.

mark

[david13]

17. I say do it. Preserve them as long as possible. You need them. dc

[Kat45]

18. That's not bad. I've got some deep pockets in gums, 2 in particular

that I should have taken care of. Unfortunately, I don't have deep pockets in my jeans, nor do I have dental insurance. If I get them both fixed, it will be $2500!

[Phentex]

19. I love having my teeth cleaned!

Wish I could afford it every three months instead of every six.

[stray cat]

20. You can have serious gum disease causing you to loose your teeth without cavities

is he/she concerned with gum disease or is that fine as well?

[applegrove]

21. My dentist is always trying to sell me stuff. He said I needed a mouth guard because

my teeth were grinding while i slept. So I got one. Next time I was at his office I could hear him do the same selling job on somebody else in the room nextdoor.

Next I had a filling. I could do it the cheap way and it would fall out in a few years or I could go for the $600 filling and it would last for a long time. Knowing him by then I took the cheaper options and my filling hasn't fallen out. He's just full of bullshit and obviously believes in the hard sell.

[sammytko]

22. Not bad. Paid almost 400 for my dog's last dental cleaning!

He's old, so he has to be sedated.

I have free coverage at the VA dental and I'm too lazy to go. Great dentists and techs. All are former miitary dental personnel. My dentist was a colonel. He is awesome. I have TMJ and that is considered a disability, so therefore the full coverage, otherwise on my own.