Teeth and Dental work

[roobs21]

35 year old here with 8 fillings big sweet tooth! I was terrible about going to the dentist when I was younger and I wish I had just hit the bullet and got braces when it was free as a teenager! I opted to have 4 teeth removed instead (under general anaesthetic, no chance I was staying awake for it). Overall my teeth have managed to stay quite straight but I’ve noticed the gap between my two front teeth is almost completely closed now and my one lateral incisor is shifting back.

I haven’t been to the dentist in over year now because of covid and was hungover last time I went so turned down the scale and polish!

I wish my teeth were a bit whiter - that’s years of drinking at least 4 coffees a day. I use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to brighten them occasionally and I use duraphat toothpaste which my dentist prescribed me.

I would love to have white fillings but scared of the cost. I’ve never asked because I am terrible at saying no so if she turned around and said they were a couple of hundred quid I’d end up paying then going home in tears

 

[aliceband]

35 year old here with 8 fillings big sweet tooth! I was terrible about going to the dentist when I was younger and I wish I had just hit the bullet and got braces when it was free as a teenager! I opted to have 4 teeth removed instead (under general anaesthetic, no chance I was staying awake for it). Overall my teeth have managed to stay quite straight but I’ve noticed the gap between my two front teeth is almost completely closed now and my one lateral incisor is shifting back.

I haven’t been to the dentist in over year now because of covid and was hungover last time I went so turned down the scale and polish!

I wish my teeth were a bit whiter - that’s years of drinking at least 4 coffees a day. I use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to brighten them occasionally and I use duraphat toothpaste which my dentist prescribed me.

I would love to have white fillings but scared of the cost. I’ve never asked because I am terrible at saying no so if she turned around and said they were a couple of hundred quid I’d end up paying then going home in tears

Don’t touch any current fillings to get white ones. Too many horror stories of them going wrong and resulting in root canals. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!! Not that I’m a dentist

 

[roobs21]

Don’t touch any current fillings to get white ones. Too many horror stories of them going wrong and resulting in root canals. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!! Not that I’m a dentist

Oh really? Good to know!

 

[Blue Rose]

Hi. I’m 19 and have finally stopped sucking my thumb so am finally getting my teeth fixed. My dad is a dentist and has an orthodontics practice (Ik, I’m an embarrassment) and has said I can either have a fixed brace or he’s willing to pay more for Invisalign. Both would give the same result in the same time and so the only difference is how they look. I’m starting university in September so am wondering if people will think I’m weird for still having braces in university or as I’m still a young adult is it not as embarrassing to have braces. I do also look a lot younger than my age so recon in public people will assume I’m secondary school aged. If I get Invisalign I’ll have to take it out to eat and then put it back in. I’ve had a brace before that covered my teeth and I hated the feeling of it on my teeth if they weren’t properly brushed so I’d rarely eat when I was out and would just not wear it after eating unless I could easily brush my teeth. I also know that with a fixed brace I’d have to be more careful when cleaning my teeth but think as I can’t take them out I won’t have the problem of forgetting/not wanting to wear it. I know this thread is more about teeth health but if anyone’s had braces, any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciate.

 

[blondelolita]

Hi. I’m 19 and have finally stopped sucking my thumb so am finally getting my teeth fixed. My dad is a dentist and has an orthodontics practice (Ik, I’m an embarrassment) and has said I can either have a fixed brace or he’s willing to pay more for Invisalign. Both would give the same result in the same time and so the only difference is how they look. I’m starting university in September so am wondering if people will think I’m weird for still having braces in university or as I’m still a young adult is it not as embarrassing to have braces. I do also look a lot younger than my age so recon in public people will assume I’m secondary school aged. If I get Invisalign I’ll have to take it out to eat and then put it back in. I’ve had a brace before that covered my teeth and I hated the feeling of it on my teeth if they weren’t properly brushed so I’d rarely eat when I was out and would just not wear it after eating unless I could easily brush my teeth. I also know that with a fixed brace I’d have to be more careful when cleaning my teeth but think as I can’t take them out I won’t have the problem of forgetting/not wanting to wear it. I know this thread is more about teeth health but if anyone’s had braces, any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciate.

I had braces at university and honestly passed for a 15 year old back then - if I could’ve had invisalign, I would’ve as I feel like that would’ve really helped my confidence when meeting new people as I looked so young then. Even now I’m late twenties I pass for 20/21 so I would say go for the invisalign, especially as the treatment time will be the same, the feeling of fixed braces is horrible! Good luckx

 

[WilmaHun]

I've had toothache at the back of my mouth on the bottom right on and off for three weeks now. It eases almost instantly with a salt water rinse. But it's making me feel so run down. It's not constant, but when it does come it's horrendous. There's no swelling and I can't see any teeth being wobbly etc. My wisdom tooth is almost fully through on that side, I wonder could it be pushing the other teeth causing the pain? Only issue is I'm absolutely petrified of dentists. I haven't been since I was a child and I'm now 25.

 

[Northeast1988]

I've had toothache at the back of my mouth on the bottom right on and off for three weeks now. It eases almost instantly with a salt water rinse. But it's making me feel so run down. It's not constant, but when it does come it's horrendous. There's no swelling and I can't see any teeth being wobbly etc. My wisdom tooth is almost fully through on that side, I wonder could it be pushing the other teeth causing the pain? Only issue is I'm absolutely petrified of dentists. I haven't been since I was a child and I'm now 25.

Is your wisdom tooth coming through straight up or at an angle? it could be impacted or pushing on the neighbouring tooth

 

[WilmaHun]

Is your wisdom tooth coming through straight up or at an angle? it could be impacted or pushing on the neighbouring tooth

It seems to be straight from what I can tell

 

[Lola UK]

Don’t touch any current fillings to get white ones. Too many horror stories of them going wrong and resulting in root canals. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!! Not that I’m a dentist

I agree! My advice is always if your amalgam filling needs changing, then swap to composite if you want a white filling.

It seems to be straight from what I can tell

Is it your gum? You’re doing the right thing rinsing with salt water. Maybe buy some corsodyl also and rinse with this, swish it in the area of your wisdom. Even get a cotton bud and dip it the corsodyl and dab it on the area. Make sure you’re cleaning really well. If it persists, I’d advise seeing a dentist to check it over.

 

[Tatooine_legend1]

My teeth aren't the healthiest either. But for me it's definitely been my love for sweet things going back to when I was in school. I was a fat kid and constantly ate sweets. I would say I'm fortunate my teeth still look decent aesthetically, but close up and the damage appears more obvious. Underneath my front 4 teeth there is some form of erosion I need to sort out. I had four amalgam fillings a few years back. I do not take good enough care of my teeth if I'm honest. I went to the dentist between 10-13 years old, but since then the last time I went was to have the fillings about 5/6 years ago and I'm now 32. I need to sign up to a denplan like my friend has, but I keep putting it off.

 

[AladdinSane]

So I came across this thread and need a bit of reassurance

My partner has had to have two molars removed on his left lower jaw. He's now bitten through a third one and he's been told that one ideally needs removing. They could root canal it but they are not sure if it would work as it is a huge molar and he's in agony with it. He has to go to a specialist to get it removed as when his own dentist tried yesterday, they couldn't move it and turns out the root is welded to the jaw bone.

He's been told his options after extraction could be dentures or a bridge or implants. Does anyone have experience with any of these just to put my mind at ease?

He's currently a private patient (as we have no nhs spaces around us) but the specialist dentist he is going to is accepting nhs patients so as soon as it is extracted, we are going to transfer him straight onto the NHS.

I'm also super frustrated that we didn't open any kind of dental insurance. He's always been told that he has really strong teeth and they don't know why he has broken through them. A definite screw up on our part which is why I want him on the nhs as soon as possible so the treatments are capped.

 

[JoeBloggs]

So I came across this thread and need a bit of reassurance

My partner has had to have two molars removed on his left lower jaw. He's now bitten through a third one and he's been told that one ideally needs removing. They could root canal it but they are not sure if it would work as it is a huge molar and he's in agony with it. He has to go to a specialist to get it removed as when his own dentist tried yesterday, they couldn't move it and turns out the root is welded to the jaw bone.

He's been told his options after extraction could be dentures or a bridge or implants. Does anyone have experience with any of these just to put my mind at ease?

He's currently a private patient (as we have no nhs spaces around us) but the specialist dentist he is going to is accepting nhs patients so as soon as it is extracted, we are going to transfer him straight onto the NHS.

I'm also super frustrated that we didn't open any kind of dental insurance. He's always been told that he has really strong teeth and they don't know why he has broken through them. A definite screw up on our part which is why I want him on the nhs as soon as possible so the treatments are capped.

As with many insurances there are many loop holes they try and get out to avoid paying. My dad on paper should have amazing teeth, he’s never had any issues and drinks about 4 pints of milk a day but his teeth basically started falling out of their sockets and he’s had to have extensive (and very expensive) work to effectively cement them back in to save them.

A good friend had worn a denture since she was about 13 after a cycle accident and you wouldn’t know. My grandad also wore full dentures from his early 20s.

If you can afford it, implants are the most permanent but they do have to be replaced as with dentures in the future. But if you go NHS you may not get that option.

 

[AladdinSane]

As with many insurances there are many loop holes they try and get out to avoid paying. My dad on paper should have amazing teeth, he’s never had any issues and drinks about 4 pints of milk a day but his teeth basically started falling out of their sockets and he’s had to have extensive (and very expensive) work to effectively cement them back in to save them.

A good friend had worn a denture since she was about 13 after a cycle accident and you wouldn’t know. My grandad also wore full dentures from his early 20s.

If you can afford it, implants are the most permanent but they do have to be replaced as with dentures in the future. But if you go NHS you may not get that option.

That's exactly the same with my partner. Every time he has been to the dentist, they've told him his teeth are ridiculously strong. Yet he's bitten through 2 of them.

The thing that I've been worried about with dentures is whenever I Google it, it talks about bone loss! Which has kind of freaked me out.

Honestly I'm just so confused with what to do. We're currently waiting for a call back from the specialist where I think the best bet is to discuss his options and see what they think.

The original dentist did suggest a root canal, which I'm also not sure is a good option or not..there's so many options.

How does your friend find the denture? I'm assuming it's a partial one?

 

[Pixipoppy]

Anyone bought decent whitening gel (syringes) online? I had a course from my dentist so still have the trays but have run out of syringes.

 

[JoeBloggs]

That's exactly the same with my partner. Every time he has been to the dentist, they've told him his teeth are ridiculously strong. Yet he's bitten through 2 of them.

The thing that I've been worried about with dentures is whenever I Google it, it talks about bone loss! Which has kind of freaked me out.

Honestly I'm just so confused with what to do. We're currently waiting for a call back from the specialist where I think the best bet is to discuss his options and see what they think.

The original dentist did suggest a root canal, which I'm also not sure is a good option or not..there's so many options.

How does your friend find the denture? I'm assuming it's a partial one?

Google will always bring up horror stories, personally speak with the specialist. Get a second opinion if you aren't sure. As these are your partners teeth, what is he thinking?

She's had no issues, she has had a few in her time as she's grown. She wears it all day, every day as it's her front set and is fine.

 

[AladdinSane]

Google will always bring up horror stories, personally speak with the specialist. Get a second opinion if you aren't sure. As these are your partners teeth, what is he thinking?

She's had no issues, she has had a few in her time as she's grown. She wears it all day, every day as it's her front set and is fine.

He has said he wants it out of his mouth. He didn't want a route canal. But he is going to ask the specialist for their opinion. Especially as the tooth is welded to the jaw it'll take a lot more to get it out. As it is the back left, he isn't too concerned as you can't see them unless he really opens his mouth and he has a full beard so you wouldnt see anything in terms of face sinking or anything like that if his teeth did move.

He has been offered the chance of a bridge but that will depend on how his jaw settles and how it recovers. Considering he's missing his back 3 teeth, I'm not sure how they'll bridge it unless they just attach to the remaining tooth.

My granddad had all of his back teeth removed both sides and top and bottom. He managed fine and could pretty much eat whatever he wanted.

It's just the uncertainty and not being able to help that I'm struggling with. Which sounds daft cos they aren't my teeth!

 

[Suzesnooze]

He has said he wants it out of his mouth. He didn't want a route canal. But he is going to ask the specialist for their opinion. Especially as the tooth is welded to the jaw it'll take a lot more to get it out. As it is the back left, he isn't too concerned as you can't see them unless he really opens his mouth and he has a full beard so you wouldnt see anything in terms of face sinking or anything like that if his teeth did move.

He has been offered the chance of a bridge but that will depend on how his jaw settles and how it recovers. Considering he's missing his back 3 teeth, I'm not sure how they'll bridge it unless they just attach to the remaining tooth.

My granddad had all of his back teeth removed both sides and top and bottom. He managed fine and could pretty much eat whatever he wanted.

It's just the uncertainty and not being able to help that I'm struggling with. Which sounds daft cos they aren't my teeth!

He may have gum disease and you do get bone loss with that as I have it and have lost teeth on one side (top and bottom). I just eat on the other side. My dentist tried to persuade me to get implants he didn’t even offer me dentures so when I asked about them he came up with some ridiculous excuse. I think they’re in it for the money!

 

[AladdinSane]

He may have gum disease and you do get bone loss with that as I have it and have lost teeth on one side (top and bottom). I just eat on the other side. My dentist tried to persuade me to get implants he didn’t even offer me dentures so when I asked about them he came up with some ridiculous excuse. I think they’re in it for the money!

How many teeth have you lost if you don't mind me asking?

I know dentures are typically associated with old people which is ridiculous as I'm sure many young people have them.

I may get him to speak to the dentist about gum disease and if it is treatable. He's currently on antibiotics so I'm not sure if they've put him on those for the teeth or for his gums

 

[Suzesnooze]

How many teeth have you lost if you don't mind me asking?

I know dentures are typically associated with old people which is ridiculous as I'm sure many young people have them.

I may get him to speak to the dentist about gum disease and if it is treatable. He's currently on antibiotics so I'm not sure if they've put him on those for the teeth or for his gums

I lost one in my 30’s (due to infection) and since then I’ve had another 4 out but one was a wisdom tooth. I have a big gap on one side but you can’t see it when I smile but I do have other loose ones but am supposed to see a hygenist every 3 months but that got delayed in covid.

I was diagnosed with gum disease age 20. You control it with brushing, flossing, interdent brushes, regular hygenist treatment.

He said dentures wouldn’t work in the gap I have or something? Implants are SO expensive though so I can’t afford them.

 

[AladdinSane]

I lost one in my 30’s (due to infection) and since then I’ve had another 4 out but one was a wisdom tooth. I have a big gap on one side but you can’t see it when I smile but I do have other loose ones but am supposed to see a hygenist every 3 months but that got delayed in covid.

I was diagnosed with gum disease age 20. You control it with brushing, flossing, interdent brushes, regular hygenist treatment.

He said dentures wouldn’t work in the gap I have or something? Implants are SO expensive though so I can’t afford them.

Oh bless you that sounds painful. COVID has really made it so difficult with some services! It makes me so mad that other people are struggling.

Implants are ridiculously expensive. I took a look at them and we were looking at £2,000 just for one tooth. It's mental. They did mention a bridge to him but I think that is just to replace the one that he may have taken out as he doesn't have any other teeth behind it other than his wisdom tooth but that is at a funny angle. It's not causing problems but I don't think they'd be able to put a crown on it. This is the first time he's been told about his wisdom tooth as well. I feel like sometimes dentists just don't say anything when they should.

Thank you for sharing though. It has made me feel better that he'll be OK.