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Comment by bradlys | Hacker News Reader

Cleanings aren't $25 though and those are recommended every 6 months. Along with exams once a year. You're looking at $100+/cleaning and $100+/exam.

From my experience of talking to people - seems like the quickest way to get cavities and ruin your teeth (beyond not brushing) is to not do the regular cleanings.

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They may be "recommended" every 6 months, but practically nobody does that. In fact, in surveys, only about half of respondents see a dentist once a year. There's also little evidence to support the necessity of twice-annual dental checkups.

> They may be "recommended" every 6 months, but practically nobody does that.

Source?

It's pretty routine in my circle that everyone does it. If they don't, cavities appear not too long after.

And btw - argument from "oh the masses don't do it, therefore it isn't important" isn't very strong.

You are being lied to by the medical industry in the US.

I think heredity plays into this. I’ve gone 10 years without and zero cavities. My maternal grandmother had all her natural teeth at the age of 94. Not everyone gets cavities

Cavities are caused primarily by too much sugar combined with inadequate home care. There is also a genetic component - some people are going to get more cavities than others no matter what they do. Cleanings and checkups don’t really prevent cavities, they screen for them.

The country i come from with free healthcare doesnt even suggest cleanings after reachign adulthood. You get a few free ones once every 5 years. Thats not a major part of healthcare lol

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