My bloody teeth

[Brittapieandchips]

About three years ago I lost a filling, then another, then one of the teeth snapped. Eventually I got referred to the sedation clinic for treatment, waited three months for assessment, spent a year on the waiting list, moved area, spent a few months plucking up courage, went to new dentist, got referred in about May last year. I rang up twice on the next few months, both times got fobbed off and told there is a long waiting list. Third time I rang they discovered they hadn't actually done the referral. I now have an appointment for assessment in May.

Sigh.

Anyway, now my mouth is in a right state. Wobbly teeth, pain, bad breath, the lot.

Is there anything I can do while I wait?

[LadyGardenersQuestionTime]

I don't understand - do you have a dentist phobia? Do you brush and use mouthwash? Tried xylitol chewing gum?

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

What diagnosis do you have? I'm assuming periodontal disease if your teeth are wobbly?

[LIZS]

does the practice that referred you have a hygienist ?

[Brittapieandchips]

I have no diagnosis cos I'm too much of a wimp to let the dentist in my mouth. I have long term MH issues (now mostly under control) and I'm convinced the years of v strong meds and not looking after myself, combined with the sensory weirdness that I've always had meaning that I've not looked after them properly ever have messed them up.

I brush at least twice a day with sensitive toothpaste, and I'm gonna get mouthwash today - what is the best type? Would getting a posh toothbrush help? (I use the value ones)

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I'm a dentist. You don't need mouthwash, you need floss or small brushes to clean in between your teeth. Do not get corsodyl despite what their adverts say.

Unfortunately if your problem is perio you need to see a hygienist for deep cleaning. You won't get that at an NHS sedation clinic.

[Brittapieandchips]

Is there anything that can be done effectively without anyone poking my mouth when I'm fully awake?

I think I'm gonna ask them to take any dodgy teeth out completely. I can't do another three years like this if I have more issues :-(

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

No idea. To be honest I'm surprised the sedation clinic has accepted the referral without your dentist even looking in your mouth. It's impossible to guess what might be going on.

I treat sedated patients privately so it's very different from what you will get on the NHS

[Brittapieandchips]

What else could they do though? They have had a look but nothing else, they tried to take x rays but I couldn't deal with the thing in my mouth

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

In that case I would send someone for an OPG X-Ray which is taken outside of the mouth. The sedation clinic will have to get your consent to carry out any treatment and you can't consent while sedated. So presumably they are going to sedate you for the examination, get you back at another point to discuss the treatment plan and then sedate you again to do the work.

Maybe mrsmorton will post. She knows more about how the NHS works than I do.

[Brittapieandchips]

It would probably be easier to get over this stupid dentist fear tbh, but I have no idea how to do that. Bear in mind I find going to the hairdresser stressful...

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Can you try having a check up with a dentist who specialises in nervous patients. If you at least get a diagnosis and a treatment plan you can take it from there. A lot of dentists offer sedation for treatment, not many will sedate you just to have a look.

Where do you live? There might be a dentist on here who knows someone in that area who treats nervous patients

[Mrsmorton]

An opt would be a good place to start (that's the x ray)
But as armani said, without a diagnosis and treatment plan you can't consent to treatment. Have you tried hypnosis?

[ChickyEgg]

I'm a nervous patient and have my dental work done under iv sedation. I would also recommend a few things:

Improve your dental health as NoArmani suggests. Small brushes and flossing.
Try hypnosis. This will help with being in the chair and allowing an examination. My dentist started out treating me with just the mirror in my mouth. You could put in place a signal if you wish to take a moment or swallow. Eg putting up your hand.
I have my X-rays done at a local hospital. They have the machine that X-rays outside your head. I can't do bite wings.
IV sedation is great if you need any work doing. You don't feel or realise consciously what work is being done. Then you go home and sleep it off.
A good dentist will take into account your fears and help you. I have seen both understanding dentists and ones that have lectured me like a small child. My dentist now is brilliant.

Good luck op, but do go and keep your appointments. Go every six months despite the fear.

[Seaoftroubles]

NoArmani..can I just jump in and ask why no to corsodyl?..I have gum recession and am fussy about dental hygiene-I go to the hygenist/dentist every 6 months and clean with little brushes between teeth when I brush.At my last visit the hygienist said I was doing well but the dentist I saw afterwards said i must come back in 3 months and use corsodyl gel between my teeth,using the little brushes, an hour after brushing (at bedtime) as it would improve the 'pockets'. Is this good advice?

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Corsodyl gel is not so bad but the mouthwash has the side effect of staining everything brown (the gel does too but at least you can target it where you want it)

When it comes to oral hygiene I would do what your hygienist suggests rather than your dentist. 3 monthly hygiene visits are often a good idea.

[Seaoftroubles]

Thanks NoArmani,yes I have done this in the past when the Hygienist suggested it-just odd that she was happy with my efforts but the dentist thought I could 'do more'..do you think the gel will improve the gum health-am happy to do whatever it takes to keep my teeth!

[Brittapieandchips]

Do the brushes go between the actual teeth? How do they fit?

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

If you don't have gaps between your teeth you probably have hard plaque blocking them! See a hygienist and get them cleaned and your hygienist will show you which brushes fit

[LIZS]

You can buy Teepee brushes (with short or long handles) which are very fine and come in different sizes to fit in the gaps or use floss/tape pulled taut.

[MaudeLynn]

OP - could you beg, steal or borrow £200 and get a private dentist to do IV sedation so s/he can properly assess your teeth?