To feel like a minger at the dentist

How long have you had your electric toothbrush. I had issues with mine as I hadn’t realised the motor was worn and it wasn’t as effective as I thought it was

i have a stomach issue so acid reflux rotted my teeth, i now don't have any real ones they are all crowns and implants. bad teeth are also hereditary in my family...my kids however have beautiful teeth from their dad

To add, have a look for Dr Ellie Phillips on YouTube. Full of knowledge on oral care for those of us who have to work harder at it. It doesn’t all work for everyone, but I take the meat and leave the bones!

It might be down to how you floss and brush your teeth. If you aren't getting far enough round the gum with floss of close enough to the gum with the brush issues can arise. It might also be diet. Can you ask your hygienist to show you the best techniques for tackling your teeth? I was forced to go private when couldn't get on NHS but so happy I did as my hygienist really took the time to get me mastering my brushing and flossing technique. I didn't realise I was doing it wrong as no one ever pulled me up on it

Maybe you should come to where I work instead then peaky 😅 We look clean but that's about a far as any of us can manage.

"thought it was about when you go to the hairdresser with wet hair" That made me really laugh 🤣

I thought the OP and thread were going to be so different! Like, when you go to the hairdressers, sit with wet hair in front of the mirror and cannot believe how ugly you are.
I've always felt a bit of a minger at the dentist because they are all so glamorous and 'together' with fabulous teeth.

I was joking…

Since going private my gum health as improved immensely
My hygienest uses Air flow and now only see my hygienest twice a year opposed to 4 times a year in the first year I was registered with them
Air flow cleaning is the best
Much gentler and very effective
It's well worth looking into OP.

I totally feel for you OP! I have, by most people's standards, terrible teeth. Fillings, breakages, discolouration etc. I would say that I have a fairly good oral hygiene routine, and especially if I compare to some people who seem to be eating sweets/snacks all the time and have much better teeth on the face of it (obviously I don't ask too many people about their dental journeys...!)

But almost all my close and extended family have the same issue. We are not a family of dirty people, and yet we all have extensive dental issues. And yet genetics doesn't ever seem to be talked about as a cause - it has ALWAYS been the dentist telling me I have poor hygiene or I need to brush better or I shouldn't eat for 4 hours after a meal or anything really that just puts all the blame on me and what I'm doing. Or not doing. And because of that I have a terrible relationship with dentists and feelings of shame and anxiety. And it's sooooooo expensive! But I really do feel that some people draw a shorter straw than others so that anything short of constant brushing seems to have much more impact than other people.

No advice really, just I see you!

It could be a bit of both - poor technique and being prone to plaque build-up.

If you can find a dental practice that looks at the whole picture rather than focussing on just one aspect you will be in good hands.

My upper 4s have been missing for around 20 years and I've always wanted them restored. This was never possible because my dental hygiene score was never high enough in spite of what I thought was my very best efforts. The score was always 3 in all quadrants of my mouth. Then in 2021 I found a new dental practice and the hygienist taught me how to brush my teeth properly. Within 6 months my score was 1 and the implant work is at long last starting next month - it's been a long journey because I needed stabilisation work and major orthodontic treatment first.

I've had to see the hygienist every 3 months for the last little while, we will move to every 6 once it's under control. One thing she said to me, which I found interesting, is that some people get an immune response to plaque and tartar, your body attacks it and it inflames your gums. Not everyone gets this, it's nothing to do with your hygiene, just bad luck but does mean you have to take extra care.

So my stupid smug husband saying I'm being OTT and he's never flosses and his teeth are fine, he just didn't get the same immune system as me.

You've done nothing wrong, OP. However if you are suffering from gum disease and bone loss, your dentist should have referred you to a specialist periodontist to start treatment to stop the gum disease from getting worse,

Years ago, I had my then dentist telling me that losing teeth because I had gum disease was inevitable. I talked about it at work and was told the advice was crap, and got a name to a different dentist. He took a look at my mouth and referred me to a periodontist. I ended up losing two molars but they stopped the gingivitis. Since then, I've been seeing my periodontist every 6 months for a gum deep clean.

Instead of asking if you are unlucky or a minger, find a new dentist to refer you to a specialist.

My brother really looked after his teeth and has loads of fillings. I didn’t and only had 1. I think sometimes genetics come into it.

You are paying your hygienist to give the advice you ask for here. S/he is the expert and they're expensive. They can be variable, ask lots of questions. They are the ones with answers.

They do, all three at the practice I go to are lovely, I'd mentioned that am allergic to sls in toothpaste so can only use Sensodyne and the last time I went she'd noticed that on my notes and had googled other toothpaste I could use. Private though - does that make a difference?

Like you, I have a very special talent for manufacturing plaque. I was also excellent at breast feeding and could have set up a wet nurse business ! I can chip the plaque off from behind my 2 bottom teeth probably every other day and I do use those little interdental tree brushes. I think though it's wrong if you are being made to feel bad in the hygenist. I go every three months so it costs a fortune but I am lucky I can afford it. You can't help it, it's like an optician pulling their face at a patient who has bad eyes.

My dentist said my oral hygiene is great but due to other factors I really need to keep on top of caring for my gums to avoid pockets of potential gum disease around my back teeth.

He recommended using a interspace brush (specifically a CTS brush which I got from eBay for £3). You use it in an up and down motion on the gum line and in-between the teeth. I either put the brush in some toothpaste or mouthwash when I use it

Do you floss and use interdental brushes daily?

Brushing alone doesn't prevent plaque (especially if you have a higher tendency for it). Use interdental brushes and an electric toothbrush and it can really help.
I say this as some who has had gum disease, surgical treatment and at my most recent hygienist visit (after1 year since the last one) was told that I have zero trace of a history of gum disease and practically no tartar.

My gums used to bleed after brushing but then I got a water flosser and I use it with salt water twice a day, no bleeding ever again.
My dentist says that my gums have receded because of over vigorous brushing but I have no gum pockets, I have now got the message and I use my electric truth brush the proper way holding it stationary on each tooth then moving it along rather than 'scrubbing' as I used to do.

Which electric toothbrush do you use? I have Sonicare and it's excellent for plaque removal/prevention. It's paid for itself many, many times over and I've even been complimented by dentists on how I look after my teeth since having it.

They don’t exist 😂