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Routine dental X-rays are not backed by evidence

(arstechnica.com)
352 points keithly | 2 comments | 14 Oct 24 21:37 UTC | HN request time: 0.522s | source
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Eumenes ◴[15 Oct 24 11:59 UTC] No.41847616[source]▶
Routine dental work is not backed by evidence. Water pick, floss, brush, high quality mouth wash 2-3x per day = no need for dentist. Reduce your sugar and fake food consumption. Don't smoke or drink alcohol. There's a famous blog post of some guy who went to a ton of dentists and got like 100 different diagnosis/cost, can't find it though.
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1. matwood ◴[15 Oct 24 12:08 UTC] No.41847687[source]▶
I think the invention of the SonicCare style toothbrush is what really put the dentists under pressure. Cavities dropped and they lost one of their main money makers. It's after that when I really started noticing car salesman like tactics for extra services.
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2. caeril ◴[15 Oct 24 19:56 UTC] No.41852473[source]▶
Indeed. There's also bioglass compounds like Novamin, etc that will literally remineralize your teeth, and in many cases, reverse caries. Xylitol gums and mouthwashes are a game-changer, as well.

The entire dental industry is only in business because of sugar and ignorance. Fortunately for them, the overall vanity level of society is increasing, so they'll likely make up for it with whitening sessions and veneers.