I’m a dental hygienist... go on then ask away..

[Heatherjayne1972]

Been a hygienist over 20 years
In lots of different practices

@stardustmemories
Some private dentists will take children on under nhs. So might be worth ringing round
Raisins and most other dried fruit are very sugary and will decay teeth as quickly as sweets will
Do some people have ‘softer’ teeth
No not really. Decay is always caused by plaque +sugar

@hotpinkangel. As far as I know the drugs in the inhalers don’t have sugar in - you could as the pharmacist they might know However we often say to rinse with plain water after using inhalers - mostly because it can affect the soft tissues tongue cheeks back of the mouth etc

@marilynSlumroe
It’s not my place to diagnose bulimia however the area you’d see acid erosion is the inside of the upper teeth
I would ask about it and suggest ways to minimise the damage but there’s lots of medical and habitual reasons why someone might get wear just there
So no judging but I may suggest they chat to their gp

Why is it better to brush before breakfast rather than afterwards?

@recently
The current recommendation is to brush before breakfast as you’ve cleaned the plaque off and therefore it’s not there to combine with sugars from food and cause decay
Besides if you have something acidic for breakfast ( fruit or fruit juice) you’ll just brush the acid into your enamel which can cause damage

Is brushing with tea tree oil effective for removing stains?

Thanks!

@Heatherjayne1972

I just wanted to let you know Heather, after several emails back and forth with a receptionist, I've booked in to see a dentist at the end of January, purely because of this thread. Thank you.

@simplysteve
Good for you. Tell the dentist your jaw issues ( the limited opening bit I mean)
And if you feel nervous or want them to stop or explain ( or not)
Let them know. You’ll do just fine
Small steps forward are still steps forward

Op, my teenage DD is using a charcoal toothpaste because it whitens her teeth. I think it might be too abrasive for the enamel. What do you think?

I have a smaller tooth than it's matching one at the front after my two front teeth, is it possible to get a cap on it to make it the same or would that not work since it's the width that's the problem?

What would my options be, it completely brings me down so much

I have the same thing Sunnymoon. I asked about having a veneer but my dentist has advised having the tooth built up with a composite filling. I'm going to try it in the new year.

My DD (2) has just had one of her 2nd molars come through, but there's a black spot in the middle of it? We brush twice a day & it doesn't seem to be doing much. Other teeth are fine.
Also what age should you first get them seen? I've rang my dentist who said to just bring her along to my next app & they'll hopefully have time to check her then but that's not until end of next summer.

@WhatEvenIsSleep
Children in our practice are registered at birth and seen as soon as they have teeth
If this was my child I’d want it looked at as soon as - it may be a stain but might not be
Keep brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and keep her dietary sugars low

@Heatherjayne1972 thank you for the reply. Il ring them again & get her booked in sooner

@sunnymoon
It really depends on what’s there and what’s going on with the teeth either side and the bone strength The dentist will chat with you about what’s best long term having taken xrays
Broadly it would likely be a veneer a crown or some type of composite filling material to build it up

Your own dentist is the person to chat to

@8fencingwire
Charcoal toothpaste is quite popular at the moment
It has slightly less fluoride in than is ideal at 950ppm ( parts per million) The ideal is 1500ppm
I did a tiny bit of research ( asked colleagues) the feeling is that it does whiten teeth a little and is slightly less abrasive than normal toothpastes
Although it does stain towels and flannels!!

Thank you! That’s very helpful! Merry Christmas

Hi!
Until last month I hadn’t been to the dentist in 20 years! I was totally and utterly terrified-couldn’t even take my kids.
I finally got the balls to go and the outcome wasn’t as horrendous as I imagined it would be. I expected to need them all out!
So, I’m having 2 back teeth out and one filling.
Problem is, I have smelly breath. I hate it. I’m so self conscious of it. Will having these teeth done/removed solve that? They are pretty badly decayed
Thanks and happy new year x

@MotherTruckerHere
The answer is Maybe You may also be in need of a thorough clean deep under the gums by a hygienist
Most cases of bad breath are related to poor oral hygiene so plaque control is what you need. I.e brushing really well at the gum margins and getting in between with floss or tepees. Ask your hygienist to show you how
Drink plenty of plain water and make sure your diet is healthy - keep your sugar intake low

Thanks for relying. The only thing hygiene-wise she mentioned, was a plaque/tartar build up behind my bottom-front teeth which is going to be cleaned.
My gums bleed if I mess with them too much ie flossing. Brushing can cause it too if I’m not careful

Gums bleed because there’s plaque there. If they bleed keep going. Get rid of the plaque and the bleeding will stop Its gross I know
If you stop because it’s bleeding the plaque builds up and causes problems

Really?! Oh wow I never knew that!
Also(sorry to keep you on your day off!) I have a wisdom tooth poking through at the back(got other 3 with no problems) but this one seems to be oozing gunk the pay few days... any ideas?

Trapped food. ? Infection maybe
Clean really thoroughly. Rinse with hot salty water. Mention to the hygienist when you go It might need a deep clean

I did wonder about trapped food actually. Gross. I’ll definitely mention it though.
Thanks so much for your time x