At 31 years old, I have my first cavity...

[Jenn]

I am not happy. I was so proud every time I went to the dentist. The guy just shook his head and said - keep on doing whatever you are going - you have great teeth....until yesterday!

Be honest - does it hurt to get a filling?

I have had my wisdom teeth removed and given birth twice, so I'm sure I can handle it...but still, I'm a little nervous.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

If they offer you novacaine, take it. Otherwise, not too bad. I have never had it done without novacaine. You are lucky to have gotten this far without one. I also take Advil before because my jaw gets sore from having to hold my nouth open.

Good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

So glad you got this far without one! My DD is 34 and has never had a cavity either! I hate novacaine, so I usually do all dentistry without anything.

 

[CamColt]

OMG! Dont tell me that. I can only imagine how you must feel since I too am 31 and have yet to have a cavity. How devastating.
Pixie dust on the way!!!

 

[browneyes]

No, it doesn't hurt to have a filling. My dd had a white filling put on the front of one of her front teeth. They didn't even give her a shot! She's 9, almost 10 and a BIG WIMP. And it didn't hurt her at all. I was shocked they let them drill on her without pain meds. But the cavity wasn't too big. I've had fillings and they don't hurt when they do it. The worst thing is the drilling smell, but it's tolerable. Your mouth will be numb for awhile afterwards though.

Good luck.

 

[SeaShelley]

Jenn, I know what you mean! I'll be 35 in June and have not had any cavities! I told my dentist last month that my goal is to make it to 40 w/o one!

Be brave and let us know how it goes!!!

 

[Goofyposter]

31 YEARS!!??!!

Groosch!

I got the first hole in my head years ago!






It's pretty painless actually

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Jenn,

If I can do it, so can you. I had perfect, straight teeth - no cavities for 41 years - the dentist used to joke that I would put him out of business.

Then, last year, I was shocked to find that I had 16 cavities on my molars!!! The dentist thinks that it was because I was taking so many sudafeds (& non-brand names) for my sinus headaches - because my mouth was so dry (I was waking up w/a very dry mouth), the saliva wouldn't wash off whatever it is that causes cavities.

Man I was bummed - cried like a baby

The needle hurts, but it doesn't hurt that bad. I think I have a low tolerance for pain cuz that dentist had to give me three shots (and I'm afraid of needles) to numb my gums.

When all is said and done, it isn't that bad -- and better to take care of it now than wait for a painful alternative later on.

Good luck!

 

[nkjzmom]

Jenn....I'm like you. I am 29 and got my first cavity last year. I was so sad. And scared...and I'd given birth four times, naturally! But the worst part of it for me was holding my mouth open. My dentist puts a topical solution on the gum to numb it for the shot. I didn't feel anything after that. It did feel really weird to have my mouth numb though. I did not like it at all.

Good luck! I'm sure it's a small cavity, so it shouldn't be bad at all.

Amy

 

[RUDisney]

I didn't have my first cavity until I was 25 and I lost my last baby tooth at 19. Yes, 19.... and an adult tooth grew up in its place. The dentist was amazed.

Anyway, my Gramma never had a cavity in her entire life. She lived for 79 years. My DH is now 37 and he's never had one.

Oral care is not a priority for orphans in Russia, so our kids have about a billion cavities between both of them. They LOVE going to the dentist. They aren't afraid of the "little pinch" when the dentist gives them novocaine, nor are they afraid of the drill.

You'll do fine. I'd be far more afraid of childbirth or losing my wisdom teeth than of having a tooth drilled.

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by CamColt
OMG! Dont tell me that. I can only imagine how you must feel since I too am 31 and have yet to have a cavity. How devastating.
Pixie dust on the way!!!

Me too! (okay, I'm 30, but still! )

Congrats for getting this far. It's so fun to tell people you've got no cavities! Hopefully this will be your only one, ever! 1 isn't bad you know!

Be strong! You'll do fine!

 

[Michelle]

WOW, I'm amazed at all you folks with great teeth. I had plenty of cavities as a kid, unfortunately.

Jenn, most likely your dentist will NUMB your gums with a topical solution before doing the novocaine shot. It honestly does not hurt me at all. If you've had wisdom teeth out getting a filling is a piece of cake.

 

[Lynn CC]

Sorry to hear about your cavity. Try to get a white filling (actually I would never let anyone put those silver fillings in my mouth) you'll n ever be able to tell there was a cavity there with the white. It doesn't hurt...I got one without novacaine, but if you have to get it...make sure they rub some numbing gel on your gums where the needle is to go, this way it will not hurt.

Are you getting the white filling? Please say yes!

 

[Jenn]

Actually, yes - he said he uses tooth colored fillings. I am glad about that - I think it looks gross when someone opens their mouth and you see all those dark fillings.

 

[nativetxn]

You must have great teeth to make it to your age without a cavity.

The worst part of getting a filling is the injection in your mouth but if you had wisdom teeth pulled this will be nothing compared to that experience.

Katholyn

 

[chesirechik]

Ahhh, I'm so jealous of all you people with no cavities! I'm only 22 and have had a bazillion cavities & three root canals!! And I have taken GOOD care of my teeth. Dentist said that I don't have an adequate amount of enamel on my teeth in some places, so there isn't much I can do!

Getting cavities filled isn't any big deal. It's pretty quick and painless. You'll be fine!

 

[b.c.]

I was just treated for my first 3 cavities at age 43. That doesn't make much sense to me thinking back on this and I wish I had gotten a 2nd option before treatment. This still makes me very angry a year later. I'd always advise to get a second opinion for your first cavity at any age above 18.

 

[mom2rtk]

Be sure to thank your parents for the great genes.

ETA: Got sucked in on a zombie thread! I wonder how many more cavities the OP has had since 2003!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

If they offer you novacaine, take it. Otherwise, not too bad. I have never had it done without novacaine. You are lucky to have gotten this far without one. I also take Advil before because my jaw gets sore from having to hold my nouth open.

Given I am only on my 2ed dentist but Novocain was never a choice just given sometimes they well give me a 2ed shoot if I twitch too much

Good luck!

So glad you got this far without one! My DD is 34 and has never had a cavity either! I hate novacaine, so I usually do all dentistry without anything.

See my above post how do you get though without Novocain

 

[low-key]

ETA: Got sucked in on a zombie thread! I wonder how many more cavities the OP has had since 2003!

things have went up and down for her