To feel so embarrassed after trip to dentist

I agree. I do everything ‘right’ and have problems with my teeth. My husband does the bare minimum (brushes for 30 seconds if that, doesn’t floss) and has perfect teeth; he’s mid 40s and has never had a filling.

I noticed a decline after two pregnancies and two years of breastfeeding. When I mentioned this the dentist said pregnancy and breastfeeding doesn’t affect teeth at all 🙄

I had to book an appointment for a root canal, after a family appointment. The receptionist commented that I must be the one with a sweet tooth. My husband spoke up for me saying that actually he was the one with a sweet tooth, and that I didn’t really eat sweet things.

I used to have a lovely non judgemental dentist but unfortunately they closed and I was moved to this one. With my previous one I had 6 monthly checks, whereas this one says once a year is enough - it’s really not as by the time I make it to the next year, small issues which could have been resolved earlier have turned into larger ones.

The current one says she can see I’m brushing my teeth well so I’m not sure what else I can do. My gums are ok, my teeth just seem weak and crack and chip at the slightest crunchy thing.

some people need a wake up call!

A tip my dentist told me regarding mouthwash; don't use it atraight after brushing. Because you want the toothpaste you've just used to stay on your teeth as long as possible to help repair/protect them. If you use a mouthwash straight after then you risk washing the toothpast off your teeth.

Good luck - it's never too late to fix things and at least you know now!

I don’t understand with 2 kids under 5 why you haven’t been back at the dentist? We all go together to a yearly check-up, dentist checks my kids and then me. You are lucky you still have a NHS dentist, in my area you get kicked out if you don’t come to
the yearly check. And don’t say you have been busy, it’s 15 mins a year! Some of
this could have been avoided.

Honestly I have always had good teeth, no fillings and after my second DC I had soooo many teeth problems. My bottoms ones just seemed to corrode and break down! Still was doing all the usual things I’d always done!
A few hygienist appointment, a good electric toothbrush and making sure I floss as well as brush has got them looking much better and are much healthier now.

@Mummabear04

If by European you mean Polish, you will find them very direct, especially the women! I had a Polish woman dentist and she was very direct. Also when I went to get my nails done, the lady told my friend who speaks the language that my nails were very bad and like paper! My friend translated....

Using electric toothbrushes I mean

I think you can get softer brush heads for kids. My pair have been using them since they were 4 or 5 I think. DD1 has had one filling in a baby tooth, but that was because she went through a phase of chain eating apples… DD2 has great teeth in terms of decay, pity she is going to have a load of orthodontic work soon!

I think I’d get a second opinion on the four fillings.

Kids absolutely can and should use them.

This.

Pregnancy can wreak havoc with our teeth sadly.

I wonder if culturally they are just more direct. I brush my teeth every day but I don’t go the dentist regularly (only if i have an issue) and no one has ever commented like that. I had a huge gap of about 20 years once because of a painful visit so thought I’d be in for a rollicking, but nothing was said other than the treatment I needed.

Re electric toothbrush. Can kids use them?

Yes, from the age of 3. Most electric ones have different settings for fast/slow etc.

Under 3yrs, a softer, manual baby brush is recommended.

@Dreamerinme

"Asthma inhalers (particularly preventers) can affect tooth decay etc and you should always brush after using - we were told this when DS was diagnosed two years ago."

That's fascinating. I know someone who's been given a 'puffer' recently for non-asthmatic reasons. Does this apply? Can you send a useful link or two?

It's often genetic, at least imo
.
My ex had horrendous teeth from age 16 despite having a healthy diet and very little refined sugar.

I am a sugar addict, have been all my life and only had my first filling age 40.

Please don't beat yourself up. There's a lot we can't control.

Brushing your teeth is good, however the health of a tooth is affected by diet.

When I say diet, I'm not referring to sugar here, I mean that teeth need vitamins and minerals to be healthy.

Don’t be embarrassed- you went and got seen. Having children does mess with your teeth and if you don’t have one get a spacer for your inhaler as they definitely mess up teeth. Perhaps ask to see another dentist at the practice. No one should made to feel so upset.

I agree with trying to get a second opinion although I know it's not easy these days.

I was once told by a dentist that I needed several fillings which shocked & upset me. I went to a different dentist who told me I didn't actually need any (!) but did recommend an old filling from childhood was replaced.

Unless you know this dentist and trust them it might be worth having an appointment elsewhere.

Do you use a spacer device with your inhaler [assuming it's the type that can work with one] as that can also protect your teeth as well as getting more medication into your body.

Absolutely agree. Get a second opinion as you may find it’s very different. Private dentistry is not well regulated.

I’ve had asthma for 20+ years and only found out on a recent trip to the hygienist that my inhalers have been impacting my oral health. Neither my asthma nurse nor my dentist had said anything about it. On the hygienist’s advice I now use a spacer with my inhalers. Worth a try?

There was an old saying that a woman less one tooth for every child which is why I assume pregnant women get free dental care..I clean and floss but always get told by my dentist that I need to see the hygienist. The dentist used to deliver a quick scale and polish as part of checkup. Don’t beat yourself up. You can use disclosure tablets..a couple of pounds per packet from boots etc, to show any remaining plaque after you’ve cleaned.

I agree with this- my teeth are falling apart and I look after them. I know people who drink fizzy drinks all day everyday and don't look after them and they have good teeth- there's definitely other elements.

I was told when I was about 11/12 that I had an issue with my enamel but I have no idea what and no dentists since have mentioned it.

So you haven't seen a dentist in 5yrs and are still using a hand help brush? Is that correct? Please tell me the kids have electric tooth brushes?

Well done for going to the dentist. Have you seen her before? She sounds a bit abrupt, but if your last check up really was 5yrs ago, plus 2 pregnancies, then they aren't going to be great. You could always ask to see a different dentist at your practice if you didn't like her.

As others have said, interdental brushes are great and they sell them in lidl and other supermarkets. A water pik is even better. Watch youtube videos on how to brush and use floss/interdental brushes properly. Things will slowly improve.