Do you get regular dental checkups or cleaning? Are you scared of dentists?

Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Just heard a report that more then HALF of American's never go to a dentist for preventative dental care. The reason MOST cited was NOT "lack of insurance" or "money", but FEAR. Do you "fear" dentists?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I get regular dental checkups and do NOT fear dentists.
25
I get regular dental checkups but still DO fear dentists.
11
I do NOT get regular dental checkups, because I fear dentists.
10
I do NOT get regular dental checkups, but it is NOT due to a fear of dentists.
20
Other?
1
Total votes: 67 (67 voters)
Poll is closed
11/17/2011
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Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I hate the drill but I do not fear the dentist.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Hmm... I usually go yearly, which I think is less often than recommended. When I had a job with nonsensically-good dental insurance, I went twice a year (for free!)---but when I'm paying out of pocket, once a year is enough.

So, not really a fear of the dentist at all... just balancing my budget in a sensible manner.

(I'm also not sure if I should check that I do or do not go to regular dental appointments... they're regular for me, but not up to ADA recommendations.) Funny that you'd post this today, though, because my appointment's this afternoon!)
11/17/2011
Contributor: Pixel Pixel
Eh. No insurance, thus no yearly exam. It's just waaaay too expensive to afford out of pocket. And no, I'm definitely not afraid of the dentist.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
Fear, yes.

I had a bad experience as a child, in which my 'family dentist' wanted to give me (a seven year old!) a filling for a non-existent cavity.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
I go once a year, because that is what the insurance pays for. I am not at all afraid of the dentist. I have had teeth pulled, capped, and more.
11/17/2011
Contributor: arewehavingfun? arewehavingfun?
My dentist is very nice and I trust his capability, but still everytime I go my anxiety level is in overdrive. I wouldn't say I am afraid of him (although I checked that option). I think its the fear of the unknown.

We both go twice a year for check ups/cleaning and have "repair work" done as needed. Even with insurance, ig you need a root canan and/or a cap, it still costs a fortune.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I just went in for a dental checkup for the first time in a while this fall, but that was mostly because of cost/insurance (which I finally don't have to worry about now).

The dentist never really scared me, though like most people I have never enjoyed having to get my teeth drilled. I find though that I am more relaxed at the dentists than at the doctor, where my phobia of needles (especially getting blood drawn) is much worse.
11/17/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
i used to get regular checkups, but it's been over a yr since my last one. i'll go when i'm home over thanksgiving break. i always got excited when we were going to the dentist when i was little b/c i liked all the cool machines. i also got to pick something out of the toy box when i was finished, & they had a box of cheap rings w/ a rhinestone that looked like small versions of engagement rings. i always chose the 1 that looked the most like a topaz, my birthstone.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Drakoni Drakoni
Not my favorite thing, but I go to the dentist when I need to.
11/17/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
My whole family goes every 6 months. No fear and I've had 3 root canals and one oral surgery.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Mr. E Mr. E
I see my dentist at least twice per year.

I am not scared of my dentist, but sometimes the bill can be quite frightening.
11/17/2011
Contributor: Avant-garde Avant-garde
Dentists dont bother me.
11/17/2011
Contributor: authorzero authorzero
I don't fear the dentist, but I'm not rich and don't have insurance, so I go when I can, but it isn't every six months like they want.
11/18/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
I checked other because I go once a year, which is regular for me, but not the norm. I go so few times because I've no need to go any more than that, and I don't fear the dentist.
11/18/2011
Contributor: Ash1141 Ash1141
I don't go because I'm terrified of the dentist. That hurts worse than childbirth. Novacaine doesn't have an effect on me so everytime they drilled or scraped or filled, I felt EVERYthing. I stopped going about 8 years ago. Unless I become rich and can afford for them to put me completely under to clean and work on my teeth, then, and only then, will I go back.
11/18/2011
Contributor: TheSlyFox TheSlyFox
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I hate the drill but I do not fear the dentist.
Same.
11/18/2011
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
No insurance, so I definitely can't afford annual checkups/regular cleanings. I actually lost a filling like 2 years ago, but haven't been able to afford to get it replaced yet.
11/18/2011
Contributor: arewehavingfun? arewehavingfun?
@Crystal1: ouch!!

We go 2X a year and whatever needs to be done, gets done. We have great dental insurance.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I get my teeth cleaned twice a year. Taking care of my teeth are one of my top priorities. Not scared of the dentist either.
11/24/2011
Contributor: cheetahpita cheetahpita
I've never had a fear of the dentist before, but lack of insurance and forgetfullness has stopped me from going 2x a year. The last time I went was probably a year ago.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
I hate going to the dentist
11/24/2011
Contributor: GenderSexplorations GenderSexplorations
Dentists are just so expensive!
11/24/2011
Contributor: zeebot zeebot
I just went to the dentist - no cavities!
11/24/2011
Contributor: MrWishyWashy MrWishyWashy
I get reg check-ups, but hate it!
11/24/2011
Contributor: The Curious Couple The Curious Couple
I don't mind the dentist, but I don't go on a regular basis.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Diabolical Kitty Diabolical Kitty
I am not a fan of the dentist at all
11/24/2011
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
For me it's more like I dread being pushed to have fluoride applications....even at the so-called "natural" mercury free dentist I last saw, the hygienist really pushed the fluoride which I was NOT happy about. Fluoride is an industrial waste product and a major toxin...just like methyl mercury.
11/25/2011
Contributor: Paladin Fantasys Paladin Fantasys
I saw a nationally acclaimed nutritionist who was asked what supplements were most critical to health, if you couldn't afford much. He said the number one thing you can do to boost your health and prolong your life is to regularly brush, floss, and use mouthwash.

Tooth and gum decay can lead to abscesses and infection which can lead to heart disease and early death.

I like life and the sex that goes along with it, so I see my dentist often.
11/25/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
Is the term 'nutritionist' a protected term in the US? Over here, it's not, and anyone could claim to be a nutritionist, without any sort of medical background whatsoever.
11/25/2011