WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER LIE TO YOUR DENTIST!
Meg here! You all know my healthy lifestyle, I'm very open that I smoke like a chimney and drink like a fish and if I ever ran into a nutritionist they would probably faint. I know, I know. I try to break my vices all the time, new topic for another day! I was out with my friend Kevin Baum for a fancy evening at The Plaza's Oak Room (you do that once in New York! Each Belvedere tonic was $18 
)
While I was there I ran into a group of amazing dental student ladies and I said that I was going out for a smoke. This is not a popular thing to say or do anytime. It's really not good around medical students!
When I saw the look on their faces I said "this is why I lie to my dentist." Strike three for me! Lauren Huntington was really not happy with that little admission on my part. She said "you should never lie to your dentist!" I said (not knowing how great dentists are on follow-up) "Oh yeah? O.K. Send me an article on why not and I'll put it up and I'll stop!" A couple days ago this article arrived in my inbox! Thanks for showing me the pearly way Lauren!
Ok so I know many of us dread going to the dentist – it hurts, they make our gums bleed, they may tell me I have a cavity…Doesn’t sound like anything to look forward to. Well, there are some other things you should think about when you go to the dentist that I’m sure many of you haven’t thought about.
Your dentists and dental hygienists know more about your oral hygiene habits than you think they do. For example, when you go to the dentist’s office and fill out your health history form, it usually asks about smoking, drinking and eating disorders among other serious illnesses. The fact is, you should always tell the truth on these forms because they are actually considered serious legal documents. But… Let’s be honest…who is going to want to tell their dentist that they smoke a pack a day and they’ve been bulimic for 5 or 20 or 30 years? No one. I’m here to let all of you readers know that you shouldn’t lie to your dentist or dental hygienist because they know you’re lying anyway.
Smokers can have very specific oral health patterns that non-smokers do not have – their teeth stain a slightly different color and look almost leathery in texture and the blood supply to their gums is altered making the gums different in color and texture. You could tell your dentist that you quit last year, but the minute they assess your current oral health and look at your teeth and gums, they’ll know you’re lying. And eating disorders as well – bulimia is a serious eating disorder that can be easily detected by your dental professional. Acid erosion (or the wearing away of tooth surfaces) is easily detectable and is generally found in the same areas for patients who are bulimic. Drinking a lot of citrus juices, eating lemons and the body’s own gastric juices (which contacts the teeth in vomiting) will wear away tooth surface. Many patients would never even consider listing an eating disorder on a medical history at a dentist’s office because it’s embarrassing and why is it relevant? If you want to keep your teeth…it is relevant!
Let’s face it… in today’s world esthetics mean more than ever and no one would look good without teeth! So do yourself and your dentist a favor and don’t lie to them – it’ll save you’re the humiliation of being caught in a lie and it will help your dentist keep your teeth in your mouth and as esthetically pleasing as possible!
Thanks Lauren! And here all this time I thought I was pulling the wool over their eyes with "Uh huh, I floss everyday!"
How honest are you with your doctor? I'll be even more honest! It's been over 2 years since I've seen my dentist so I think a good cleaning is in order! How good are you getting in to see yours? Why is dental phobia so huge?
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True! We don't tell the truth. Guess we don't want to be judged or looked at as somehow lazy. It's not fun going to the dentist. We can talk our way through other uncomfortable doctor visits, but without my voice, I feel totally vunerable. And my dentist wants to talk during a procedure. I can't get a word in!
Great awareness article!
I'm huge on seeing the dentist. hate going but hate the results if I don't. Flossing is my nemesis.
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I'm very good about getting to the dentist every year, and I'm pretty honest about the big things. I think we all stretch the truth a bit in how much we floss, though!
i'm always honest with my doctor...i want to get the best care! what's the point in lying?
Great reminder Meg! I just had a root canal Monday, and how I hate those!! Chemo can wreak havoc on anyones prior healthy teeth!! Sometimes I think it wasn't worth it!! (not cured)
Just went for a cleaning this am,I go every 6 months because I have a fortune invested in cosmetics/middle-aged improvements and believe me,it's harder to keep body,soul,and a healthy mouth after a point...100% perfect today! :)The new tech-tools like Sonicare,Spinbrushes,Waterpics,and the like can REALLY make a dif even if you have less than habits but it's also important to get checked when you can because as most know,those little dental-molehills can turn into expensive mountains FAST! Also,with new tch,there's almost no pain,recovery time,or reason to be quite so apprehensive,honest :)
My benefits allow to me have a cleaning every 9 months so I go that often. I try not to lie to my doctor or dentist but it happens. I know I should flass daily but I HATE FLOSSING!!! My teeth are so tightly spaced apart and it just feels weird and awkward. After my last dental check up I didn't lie to my hygenist (my dentist is pretty good by not lecturing about hygiene, shes super nice) but I told the hygenist I get lazy and sometimes don't floss. Now I've used floss almost every single day since that appt (which was in sept) so I'm doing pretty good, and I don't smoke! But my vice is booze, not that I drink all the time but I am very social and with socializing booze seems to always fit.
Growing up I didn't get to go to the dentist often due to money issues. I now have decent dental insurance but due missing the dentist for years I am currently working on getting cavaties filled. This is kind of a slow process because my insurance only covers so much at a time which means the balance is left up to me. I think people are scared of the dentist because of the pain associated with it and having to hear the drill. I personally use sleep dentistry so my issue isn't being scared or in pain it's the money I have to pay. LOL. I don't floss but I do have a nice Sonicare that I shelled out for and I love it. My teeth have actually improved since using it. I also always use Listerine.
One of my general rules is "don't lie to medical professionals" - embarrassment avoidance is not worth damage to my body.
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I don't lie to my dentist anyways =)
Ugh! I loathe the dentist any doctor really but the dentist especially. I can't say that I have ever lied to my dentist but I have not been regularly since I had my braces taken off a very very very very very very very very long time ago. I know I should and I am actually kind of a freak about my teeth. I have no problem carting any other family member to any doctor dentist or general practitioner. But no siry bob not me. The only reason we gave birth in a hospital was because they had drugs to make the pain go away and Ryan made me. Thanks Meg, something for me to consider.
I was thinking about this as I just drove to run an errand: my hygenist this am was telling me about a "new phenom" she is seeing a LOT of in younger people.Apparently when you take antidepressant drugs and or drink a lot,you cause de-salivation aka mouth-dryness.The salivary glands work to lubricate and help remove harmful bacteria and she was telling me how MANY are now suffering gum/bone/tooth loss in their practice as a result.This sort of scared me and I'm going to share it with a few family members...if you need such meds or drink quite a bit,it's probably REALLY a good idea to get regular checkups.
Oh no... this reminds me... I need to call my dentist. Have my yearly check up coming up and I need to reschedule. Or I say "yearly" very losely because before last year I hadn't been to the dentist in years. And my teeth were not in good shape! So now I will force myself to go every year so they will stay in better shape meaning that I don't need to suffer as much when I go to the dentist.
since i dont have dental insurance, a trip to the dentist is a luxury i cannot afford right now. i never would lie to a doctor, and honestly i dont have any vices to cover up - not that i can think of :)
Hey there! New York Ladies! If you're around tonight you can go meet my friend Kevin Baum and find other great single guys-score yourself a hot date and help out a great charity!! Check out Manthropy!http://www.manthropy.com/Manthropy/Welcome.html Kevin's a doll!!
In the past December/January, I spent every Monday in the dental chair. I had not been to the dentist in about 10 years (I was like 12 then) and I had the worst experience with my pediatric dentist. He told me I did not take care of my teeth and he made SO many mistakes during the work, that I still suffer. I could not floss my teeth due to the fillings he put in. One night, I began feeling pain in my tooth that got so severe I was about to pull them out with pliers. I could not get into a dentist til the next day. When I did, I found out I needed A LOT of work, a root canal was the first thing needed, my nerve was mush. Lucky me! I ended up getting all the work I needed done, fillings and even all 4 of wisdom teeth pulled out! Luckily, this dentist was amazing, the staff was great and I felt comfortable there. (for $7000, I should have). But they finally told me, that the problems with my teeth were not my fault. I was born with barely any enamel, so my teeth are prone to fillings no matter what I do. I brush, floss, rinse after meal and even got a waterpik for Christmas. I will admit my teeth are better, and I believe you should go to the dentist for checkups so things like this dont happen. For those in Hawaii, if you would like the information of the dentist, send me a message.And everyone - GOOD LUCK with your teeth!
Being that my FIL and a close friend of mine are both dentists I've learned that it's never a wise idea to lie to a dentist. Like the author said they know more about your mouth than you do. Not to mention by lying you're cheating yourself out of the best care possible.
I think I'm reasonably honest with my dentist, but I definitely don't go enough, mostly because I have really soft enamel so every visit ends up really expensive :( My friend's dentist could tell that she ate a lot of fruit, and when she switched to an electric toothbrush he could tell on the next visit, so I know that these thing really are obvious if you know what you are looking for.
Lily - Mineral makeup Junkie!!!
well i live in canada, SO OUR HEALTH CARE IS FREE. ha. Insurance pays for our dentist.... they usually compliment my teeth (:
I never lie to my dentist, but mainly because I never go to him. I hate going to the dentist SO much that I would rather go to the gynecologist! and my dentist is really good, he's quick and relatively painless, he's funny and his office staff is great. I just hate going, and this post reminded me that I have to, it's been way too long and no doubt I have at least one cavity, the way I live on candy, lattes and junk food. And I only ever drink red wine, which is the worst. I still have people tell me my teeth are white, though, which must be a testament to my Crest White Strips, when I remember to use them.
Aha, that is such a funny story. I guess she told you! I really need to go get my teeth cleaned though, but I hate it. It is so annoyed when they have conversations over your face while they fix your teeth - and except you to answer them! I had braces for years, and I always lied. I guess I should probably learn to start telling the truth . . .
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Great article! The only thing I fib about to my dentist is the whole flossing issue. I hate flossing!! I do go to the dentist every 6 months though, I've gone that frequently my entire life and plan to keep it up.
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i dont mind the dentist, i like mine, but maybe it is because they straightened my buck teeth as a kid and ive never had any cavities.. must have strong teeth.. i just made my 6month checkup appointment yesterday in fact. oh and i love flossing now i have those new flosser thingys.. wat they called? oh these: http://www.drchetan.com/which-is-the-best-time-to-floss-your-teeth.html
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I"m honest with my dentist, but I haven't been there for about 8 months now. Thanks for reminding me that I need to make an appointment!
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the thought of going to the dentist sends chills down my back. i don't mind the sound of the drills themselves, but when the drills and scraper are used on my teeth... it's like someone scratching their nails on the chalkboard. yuck. i probably should set up an appointment to see my dentist. i think it's about time.
I went to my dentist three days ago! Now my teeth hurt :( But I am glad I went and got it over and done with seeing as I got a clean bill of health (can you say that for teeth?) anyway and I don't have to worry about it for another 6 months! I feel so much better now that I made the appointment and got it over and done with because I was getting harrassed by my parents to make and appointment. Now for 6 months it will be calm! HAHA! :)
Great article. I tell my dentist, doctor, gynecologist everything. No lying here. They need to know everything in order to treat you properly. It could be dangerous to lie
I go to my dentist twice a year, but I don't think I've ever been asked to answer any questions about smoking or eating disorders. I always lie about flossing, though....I'm sure they can tell that one, too.
i absolutely dread going to the dentist, even though i'm obsessive about how clean or how good my teeth looks.. but i'm scared to hear that I have a hole here or deterioration on that tooth.. that kinda just put me into shock mode. My parents bought medical insurance.. so for about 3-4yrs we went to the dentist twice a year to get our teeth professionally cleaned and checked up. He said i urgently needed to get my wisdom tooth out.. i think it's hereditry.. because my mum, my grandpa and i all have our wisdom tooth growing horizontally instead of vertically ..actually even my best friend have that issues lol (not related!). i treat my teeth pretty good. I floss, brush, pick out food scraps and wash my mouth with listerine every day.. so when i know i've been up to date with teeth cleaning it doesn't hurt when they poke at it etc!
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great awareness article! ive had my teeth checked pretty regularly... :D
yeah my dentist has never asked me any personal questions so they must just be able to tell. i guess they know i don't floss too often though because that is the one thing they do ask every time.
Awesome article, I should probabl go for a check up soon, I think it's been a little less than a year.
Cool article :). No need to lie to medical professionals. They've seen much worse than what you can tell, trust me!
im not afraid of the dentist but i rarely think about going. never had a cavity or any problems except when my wisdom teeth were ruining my life and needed to be removed. i think i'll make an appointment soon tho, while im still on my parent's plan.
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its better to be upfront...that way u can get assessed better and get ur moneys worth!
I just went to the dentist two days ago! The only thing that I hate the most is taking the x-rays. I always feel like gagging :P
Glad you are all honest with your dentist - not many people commenting on the smoking factor yet.. and for those of you who don't floss, yes, they can tell that too! Fun tip: flossing helps esthetics too cause the more you floss the closer your teeth will stay together and your gums will stay nice a pointy and perfect in between your teeth :)
I truly hate going to the dentist, but I'm due for a cleaning and am dreading it even though I don't smoke, and brush frequently and floss at least semi-regularly!
Dental is free in Canada :) Usually my dentists tell me to floss more.
I am actually due for a cleaning. I used to go (basically) every six months. Now it's more like once a year. Don't get on to me, my teeth are in good condition and my dentist has never said anything to me. I take good care of my teeth. I brush thoroughly with my Sonicare toothbrush and floss when I remember. I don't bother with mouthwash since it has alcohol and just burns. I'm always honest with my dentist. Even if I did lie, like the article says, they can tell. They're trained professionals and even if your tongue lies, your teeth and gums won't!
I went to the dentist's today after quite awhile away... I had built up being fearful WAY too much. It was actually an earlier MM post that pushed me to make the appointment -- you guys are so durn timely!
I will have to disagree with the ladies that said dentists are free in Canada. My dentist certainly isn't free. I pay my premiums through work, as well I have to pay either 20% (cleanings, fillings, etc.) or 50% (crowns, etc.) of the total bill.
I wore braces for 3 years, and I don't want to rot my teeth and undo all that hard work.
My father in law is my dentist now, and while that helps me relax a bit, I'm still a basket case every time due to fear of cavities. I'm 27 and haven't had a cavity, so I have this horrid fear of the unknown. I hate having people mess around in my mouth, and had some really painful braces tightening experiences when I was younger. I remember screaming out "OUCH" one time and the hygienist gave me the dirtiest look and told me to knock it off because I was scaring the other kids who were waiting for their turn. As far as being honest goes, I guess it would be weird now to fib to my father in law, so I don't do it. But I probably did in the past :)
im honest with my dentist i don't go as regularly as i should probably due to the fact that every time i go i need to get more work done than i can afford cause i don't get it all done at once so i still have teeth to be pulled and last time wasn't a very pleasant experience so i don't wanna go back even though i know i have to lol
also- make sure to list all med's you are on!
I dont have dental phobia... I just have dental hatred lol.. I spent 8 years of my life in orthodonic appliances of some sort and its just HORRIBBLLLLLE!!! But I do need a cleaning.. and I think I need... a crown... or root canal or something because one of my fillings hurts reaaaly bad and they fixed it up and it still HURTS!! so it must be soemthing worse than a cavity!
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i hate going to the dentist, i try to avoid it for as long as i could. so far there hasn't been any probs with my teeth. touch wood.
I hate the dentist!! and the needles!! I might have lied a few times"accidently" about flossing hehe. It just takes so much effort and time.