Why? Well, at times I didn't have insurance but mostly it was a combination of laziness and not liking to go to doctors. Even when part of my fixed retainer broke last year I pulled out my Leatherman multi tool and extracted the wire and one metal base glued to a tooth. I couldn't get a grip on the other one so I left it in there and moved on.
So it's a new year and I've been slowly trying to get better at maintenance. With encouragement from my wife I made an appointment with the same dentist I used 9 years ago, who within that time had moved their office. I was honestly a little apprehensive about how this appointment would go. I had visions of the dentist and hygienists recoiling in horror then pulling out the heavy equipment to grind and chisel away the years of accumulation. I had joked with my wife about whether my new teeth should be gold or titanium. Gold of course. I'm classy that way.
After the x-rays the tech asked what kind of brush I used.
Oral-B, soft bristled, I answered with the confidence of someone who knew what he was doing.
You mean a MANUAL brush? She asked, with a tone of disbelief.
Wow, I guess manual brushes are so 9 years ago. I better not show her my flip phone.
Enter the dentist. After the expected where the heck have you been, he proceeded to probe my teeth with a pick. After I explained my retainer issue he asked what my orthodontist said. I stared at him blankly. I was just thinking you could just take out the metal base and grind down the glue. He proceeded to take out a grinding tool and grind down the metal. As the metallic taste filled my mouth I thought of my Dremel tool at home. If only I knew that was an option...
Next he attacked the tartar buildup that I couldn't get to when I had the retainer in. The air filled with a mist of water and saliva. It was a little painful at times. I had to wipe down my glasses twice. Overall he said things looked pretty good. There was a little gum recession. He recommended a Sonicare and wax floss. So really, how often should I come in?
The dentist shrugged. Come in twice a year. Insurance pays for it and it feels good.
So what happens after I don't go to the dentist in 9 years?
Not much.
I'm going to switch from Glide floss to wax floss and most likely will buy a Sonicare shortly. I don't feel an emphatic need to go in every 6 months but probably will. My biggest takeaway is if i manage to get in to the doctor, dentist, or eyeglass place, I should always make the next appointment before I leave. It's easy and convenient and sets me up for consistent maintenance without having to motivate myself sometime in the future.
