second opinion

Question: Gmj wrote:

Hi I saw one of your videos on youtube and I wanted to ask I am 22 years old and my dentist said i need to get a deep cleaning. Am nervous about the whole thing specially since I have braces on.

Do you think I should get a second opinion?

Answer: Hi Gmj, thank you for submitting your question.

Here is how I view the issue. First of all, ALL patients should realize that it is their RIGHT to seek a second opinion if they wish too.

Second: If you are feeling uncomfortable with your dentist’s recommendation, then I definitely think it is appropriate to seek a second opinion. Obviously, you feel something at a gut level.

What I would do personally, in a case like this, is to go see a periodontist – not just another dentist but a periodontist.

Why? Periodontists are dentists but they have additional training in gum disease. Not only that, but usually the major focus of their practice is gum health and disease. Therefore, they may be in a better position to tell you about what your gums may need.

Look at it this way. Would you rather have a general medical doctor give you advice on your heart or would you rather have an experienced cardiologist (doctor who specializes on the heart) give you advice on matters concerning your heart?

I think I know how you answered that.

Personally, I would rather have a periodontist tell me about my gum health. And personally speaking, I have. Want to know the result? The periodontist had a lot more to tell me about my gum health than the general dentist did, including practical suggestions. The periodontist did a thorough check of my gums in a way that no one at the general dentist’s office did.

Now, I’m not saying you can’t find a general dentist that has it together when it comes to gum tissue. But I can tell you that my general dentist didn’t help me much with my gum health. The periodontist did. There was a huge difference in the level of care and concern for my dental health.

I ‘fired’ my dentist. Again, that is not to slam general dentists. I’m certain there are very good ones out there. Mine wasn’t as good as I would have liked in this area. I’m just telling you my personal experience.

David Snape
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease – A Layman’s Guide to Fighting Gum Disease