Boyfriends Teeth

squeeky000

My Boyfriends teeth, look fine from a distance, white and straight, but when I get up close I can see that actually they are not that great, the enamel has white patches in places and they just don't look too good.

Also occasionally his breath is a bit stinky, a typical bloke he stopped seeing the dentist at 18 and hasn't seen one since.

I have found a NHS dentist which I want to persuade him to see but I know he will be worried about the cost. I know the highest cost is £198 but wondered if this represented the worst case scenario.

For example if he went in and they identified 4 cavities for example would that just be £198 for all the work?

Savvy_Sue

squeeky000 wrote: »

I have found a NHS dentist which I want to persuade him to see but I know he will be worried about the cost. I know the highest cost is £198 but wondered if this represented the worst case scenario.

For example if he went in and they identified 4 cavities for example would that just be £198 for all the work?

Should be. However, you may find that a private dentist may not work out that much more expensive, and you'll definitely get a better service.

If you see a dentist regularly, and like and trust them, why not get your b/f going there?

See Toothsmith's signature for 'how to find a good dentist'.

jugglebug

squeeky000 wrote: »

My Boyfriends teeth, look fine from a distance, white and straight, but when I get up close I can see that actually they are not that great, the enamel has white patches in places and they just don't look too good.

Also occasionally his breath is a bit stinky, a typical bloke he stopped seeing the dentist at 18 and hasn't seen one since.

I have found a NHS dentist which I want to persuade him to see but I know he will be worried about the cost. I know the highest cost is £198 but wondered if this represented the worst case scenario.

For example if he went in and they identified 4 cavities for example would that just be £198 for all the work?

NHS charge bands work as follows
Band 1 Exam, radiographs simple scaling etc £16 ish
Band 2 Fillings and extractions £46 ish, so this would be your example of 4 fillings
Band 3 Crowns dentures etc £198
to be clear, if he needs 1 filling, 2 fillings or 32 fillings it should be only a single band 2 charge. Admittedly in that situation the Dentist would be better off giving him a wad of £20 notes and telling him to go somewhere else as the NHS would only fund him / her the same amount as if they only did 1 filling
However there are situations where the treatment can be legitimately broken into more than 1 course.
eg if he needs a root treatment then that would be band 2 for £46 ish
But Many dentists (myself included) believe that a root filled tooth is best crowned after a delay to check for healing. It is likely that the crown would fall under a separate course of treatment as it would be several months down the line. This would then attract a separate band 3 charge

belfastgirl23

At the first go around all he is getting a checkup to get more information. It is his choice whether to see through treatment after he has the checkup or whether to do it slowly or not at all. I think your first burden is getting him through the door and if you put it like this, you're more likely to get him there.

The thing is too the worse teeth get the more they will cost down the line so anything he does now will be an investment in his future dental health.

Just get him to go for a checkup. He'll regret it if he doesn't

jenniewb

Lol- your boyfriend must love you: "stinky breath"! (:rotfl:sorry couldn't resist!) hope you get it sorted

If its any consolation, I got bulimia and "chronic anorexia" at 16 and didn't see the dentist again till I was 19, needed alot of work but it is do able and the dentist was really helpful. My mums partner never used to go to the dentist but now does. He also never used to brush his teeth :eek: but now does (scary but true!) Thats the only thing I'd say- whatever you get done at the dentist, make sure he follows it up with brushing flossing and not over-doing any acid mouthwashes (eg alcohol) which could well add to your £££ spent.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Oh i wish i could pluck up the courage to go to the dentist too - pregnancy has caused havoc with mine. I'm 1) scared of being told off, i mean 3 fillings have come out whole for some reason in just the last few months, and 2) usually the cost is enough to put me off as i just about afford the bills £198 would cripple the family for a month but that said as i'm preg i know i am exempt from paying - the only prob is finding one that'll take me

I have a phobia of dentists as when i was 11 and having teeth removed at hosp for a crowded mouth, i woke up out of the general anasthetic as the dentist was physically pulling the last tooth - the dentist and nurses were abit taken aback that i woke up and obviously i was terrified! I have been since, but every time have a really hard time calming down and allowing them to do their work.

Toothsmith

If you're pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, you don't pay NHS fees, so stop making that the excuse!

Having to find a dentist when your face is the size of a football and the only places you can get into are private will make a bigger hole in your budget.

The scariest thing is getting through the front door in the first place. Once you're there, you'll find people who can help you.

I take it that somebody takes your daughter somewhere?

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Errr if you read my post properly i didn't say i don't go just that i am terrified of them and it is hard work for me to pluck up the courage to go...i was last at a dentist about a yr ago.

I am NOW pregnant and it has caused havoc with my teeth yet again - last time after my daughter was born and i needed fillings my dentist had the cheek to ask if i'd ever been addicted to cocain as my teeth were wearing down so fast (which i have never touched in my life might i add) and was very rude so please don't lecture me!!! My teeth are riddled with problems due to pregnancy and 5 months of morning (rather all day) sickness and vommiting which wears them down and weakens them thank you very much. I have tried to register as i have now moved and keep being told they are not taking any more NHS patients yet - so i have to wait...with my teeth getting worse and worse and only ever given the option of an emergency dentist but only if i am in pain, which i am not! Too many dentists do not want to take non-paying customers. I bet if i were paying i'd have an appointment in a jiffy!

My daughter has seen a dentist once a year since a yr old and her teeth are perfectly fine thanks - i don't transfer my fears on to my child!

I take it you have no phobias no???? Because you are clearly very insensitive!

TheBex

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Should be. However, you may find that a private dentist may not work out that much more expensive, and you'll definitely get a better service.

Not necessarily. My private dentist really hashed up a filling, letting the damp get to the good bit of my tooth. By the time I found another dentist (I couldn't afford Mr private dentist anymore) it was so bad a whole wall was drilled out and they had to use a jubilee clip thing to fill it and save the tooth.

You don't always get what you pay for, and I'd be wary of chosing a dentist based on what they charge.

My new NHS dentist is truly brilliant - the best I've ever had. If anyone's after a good NHS dentist in Surrey Heath, PM for details.

belfastgirl23

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle wrote: »

Errr if you read my post properly i didn't say i don't go just that i am terrified of them and it is hard work for me to pluck up the courage to go...i was last at a dentist about a yr ago.

It did sound like you didn't go though

violetta

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

It did sound like you didn't go though

Yes, I read it like that as well!