I'm a dental nurse AMA.

[IAmADNAMA]

Probably a boring one but anything anyone ever wanted to know?

[SundaySheAteChocolate]

Oh, this thread is ancient.

[SundaySheAteChocolate]

Do you recommend a Phillips sonic toothbrush or Oral B?

[Waterfallgirl]

@IAmADNAMA
Are you still open for questions ? This is so interesting.

[MyLifeNow20]

Hi not sure if this is still going.
I am paranoid about my DD teeth, she is 6. When her baby teeth came through at the bottom the 2 middle ones were 'butterfly' or pointing inwards. She had plaque on the insides of her bottom teeth.
Now they have fallen out and her 2 middle ones are through but she has developed white along the gum line. I clean them for 2 minutes before I let her have a go, always brush really well.
I have tried to remove it but she gets stressed so dont want to push it but it makes me worry so much.
It doesnt help that when she goes to her dads she hardly brushhes her teeth and that expains his poor dental hygiene

[MeadowHay]

Loved this thread, so interesting. I'm another one who gets anxiety about the dentist although not bad enough to call it a phobia. I feel like I have loads of questions swirling around my head but for starters...

How useful are dental check-ups for babies/toddlers? Do the dentists really get a good look at their teeth when they won't sit still etc?

What is your advice on dummy use if a worried parent asks you about it in the surgery?

Do some people just not react as much to local anaesthesia? How often do you see this and do you know why this happens? The few times I've had dental work it's taken ages as I've needed lots of anaesthetic injections. Like the dentist has done one or whatever waited and then checked the area is numb - it wasn't, so another injection - still wasn't, so on. I end up with sore gums later from the injection sites more than the treatment! I also had an issue post-birth where the local anaesthesia for my episiotomy stitching didn't work and the consultant midwife said something about for some people it gets absorbed by the skin very quickly so isn't effective? Is that your understanding too and how common is this?

[QuestionEverythingOrBeASheep]

I have only had 2 fillings in my life. One has caused me problems and has become a food trap. It has now been filled twice to try and rectify the problem but it still persists but more between two teeth and on the surface of the tooth beside the one that was filled. Even when I fats for 5 days the food remains in-between the teeth and on the surface. I use Tepe sticks, floss, ribbon floss, knotted floss a water jet and Oral B electric toothbrush a Philips sonic tooth brush and still the food won't budge. I've lost all my confidence because my mouth stinks. My relationship failed because of it and I feel I will never have another relationship because of it. I have always tried to look after my teeth, before the fillings (one at 9 and the other at 49), I've never had any problems. I feel all my time is taken up with my tongue trying to dislodge food, every single day. I have an NHS dentist and they have not replied to my last 2 messages about the problem persisting.

Do you have any advice you can give me please, I feel lost?

[IAmADNAMA]

@SeaMoonWave

I’m know dentists use them most commonly. Where can I buy a legit fogging machine to use in my house after people have been in? Loads of things coming up on Facebook / google but wanting a trusted source. I was thinking of something that did air/surfaces rather than something that ran as people were in the room?

Sorry I can't advise you on this one. We have never used one. Never known any dentist to use one in our area. If your dentist use them do be sure to ask though!

[IAmADNAMA]

@RollneckJumper

Hi OP

I have a very low smile line. You can't see my teeth when I talk and you can literally just see a tiny bit of my top teeth when I smile. I'm very self conscious of it because I look like I have no teeth, and I always smile with my lips closed.

Is there a way of improving my smile line? Would this involve braces, veneers, cosmetic surgery?

Where would be a good place to start looking for the right dentist/dental surgeon to help me fix this.

Thank you

Hello! Oh please don't be self conscious it's more common than you think.
So firstly, I'd suggest booking in for a discussion with your dentist. You can ask for them and they allow more time for the appointment so we can go through everything thoroughly with you.
When we have had patients liked this they've opted for crown lengthening oral surgery. This involved cutting the excess gum and sometimes bone to allow your teeth to be shown more.
There are pros and cons because it is a surgery and every surgery carries risks but we never had someone come back and complain.
The benefit to the procedure is that once it is done. It will never have to be done again or touched up.

Your dentist will head you into the right direction for specialist treatment and they could advise you on price etc.
Hope this what somewhat helpful and please do come back and update once you've spoken to your dentist.

[SeaMoonWave]

I’m know dentists use them most commonly. Where can I buy a legit fogging machine to use in my house after people have been in? Loads of things coming up on Facebook / google but wanting a trusted source. I was thinking of something that did air/surfaces rather than something that ran as people were in the room?

[IAmADNAMA]

@SpudsandGravy

Did you never find it a bit stomach-churning to be looking into people's mouths?

No, I love it!

[RollneckJumper]

Hi OP

I have a very low smile line. You can't see my teeth when I talk and you can literally just see a tiny bit of my top teeth when I smile. I'm very self conscious of it because I look like I have no teeth, and I always smile with my lips closed.

Is there a way of improving my smile line? Would this involve braces, veneers, cosmetic surgery?

Where would be a good place to start looking for the right dentist/dental surgeon to help me fix this.

Thank you

[SpudsandGravy]

Did you never find it a bit stomach-churning to be looking into people's mouths?

[bellinique]

Thank you @IAmADNAMA!

[IAmADNAMA]

@Mrsbclinton

Ive overcrowded teeth which I think are getting worse. Is this an age thing? Im 42. The front ones overlap and I cant even get the smallest tee pee brush in there.

Im seriously considering train tracks but woried my gums and teeth might deteriorate if I cant clean them properly for a year or two.

Teeth do shift about with age. Try flossing in between instead that might help.
I can't advise on train tracks as I don't work in orthodontist and only cover Invisalign. But I'm sure it wouldn't effect your gums that much.

[IAmADNAMA]

@ExDN

Not such a boring thread now is it op

You mentioned career progression which is fantastic do you see yourself going on?

If your not fed up! I loved cleaning and sterilising the instruments. Have they improved that area? What is your favourite part of the job?

Not sure yet tbh.

Yes the guidance on cleaning instruments changes all the time! I do like cleaning them though!

[IAmADNAMA]

@bellinique

Please can I ask how they fixed your fractured tooth?

I think I may have this problem too. I've had a tooth filled several times and it still hurts to bite on it but doesn't really hurt the rest of the time.

I've been told the next step is root canal and crown but I hate going to the dentists and don't know how I could ever sit through two looong appointments to do the root canal.

Also, I'm ridiculously scared of being sick at the dentists. I know how silly it sounds but it's what stops me going, I'm not really bothered about pain or needles! Are many people sick during/after treatment?

It isn't fixed as such we tried a different material (GI) and it almost acts like a cast would to a broken leg. It doesn't work for everyone but at the moment it has helped me. Try avoid biting in that area if the tooth is already fractured. You could have extraction but of course I'd advise to save the tooth where you can.
Root canal isn't as bad as you think I promise.

No we haven't had anyone be sick but very prepared that someone might feel or be sick. We have sick pots in the surgery. Don't worry if you are sick.

[Mrsbclinton]

Ive overcrowded teeth which I think are getting worse. Is this an age thing? Im 42. The front ones overlap and I cant even get the smallest tee pee brush in there.

Im seriously considering train tracks but woried my gums and teeth might deteriorate if I cant clean them properly for a year or two.

[ExDN]

Not such a boring thread now is it op

You mentioned career progression which is fantastic do you see yourself going on?

If your not fed up! I loved cleaning and sterilising the instruments. Have they improved that area? What is your favourite part of the job?

[bellinique]

Please can I ask how they fixed your fractured tooth?

I think I may have this problem too. I've had a tooth filled several times and it still hurts to bite on it but doesn't really hurt the rest of the time.

I've been told the next step is root canal and crown but I hate going to the dentists and don't know how I could ever sit through two looong appointments to do the root canal.

Also, I'm ridiculously scared of being sick at the dentists. I know how silly it sounds but it's what stops me going, I'm not really bothered about pain or needles! Are many people sick during/after treatment?

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nordman

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

And yes I did have someone ask me out once and I politely declined. He was very handsome though

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nordman

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

Yes!! I used to work with a male dentist not much older than me he was early 30's and everyone thought he was a hunk. I didn't see it myself and he used to blush! Some people just came straight out with it. At the time he was single and used to say oh no sorry I'm taken and would point at me! He thought it was hilarious to point at me!
He is such a lovely gentleman and is happily married now.

[IAmADNAMA]

@Nets888

"Yes receding gums can be very painful. Have you spoke to your dentist about period chips or even filling in the receding areas?"

What's period chips? My dentist applied sealant over the receding area but I can still feel this discomfort. What I fear the most is my dentist has missed an infection.

Sorry forgot to answer!

a perio chip contains chlorhexidine digluconate and is inserted into the periodontal pocket to get rid of the disease. This helps to reduce the pocket and inflammation.

[Nordman]

Have you ever had a patient ask out a dentist or nurse? I have a huge crush on my dentist!

[IAmADNAMA]

@CoolYourBeansMySon

Also, and again you may not know the answer to this, but I can't really afford to go private anymore. Do you think a NHS dentist will take me on with bad gum disease?

Of course an NHS dentist will take you on with bad gum disease. They will take on anyone and if we need you to see someone else for specialised treatment we will refer you to them usually on the NHS but in private practises so you pay the NHS price. (In our dentist anyway).

I don't know about specialised periodontal treatment but I can explain what we do NHS and private if that helps? I'm sure it would be similar.

So on NHS we are limited and would offer periodontal treatment and ask you to come in for a deep clean. Using a scaler or hand scaler if you don't like the ultrasonic scaler it goes deep and sometimes can be sensitive but many patients manage it without LA but if you ask to be numbed we will numb you. No problem.

With private we ask you to see the hygienist (some dentist do a hygiene appt themselves) we have a hygienist so frees up our dentists diary a bit. They have all range of treatments for deep cleaning and will spend usually around 20-30 minutes deep cleaning your teeth and counting your pockets. They usually shine them after as well.
We also on private offer perio chips (£25 per perio chip at our dentist) a perio chip containers chlorhexidine digluconate and is inserted into the periodontal pocket to get rid of the disease. This helps to reduce the pocket and inflammation.

Hope this helps.

[IAmADNAMA]

@Miip

My upper right wisdom tooth started to grow and broke through the gum 2 years ago, when I was 42. It's stuck and hasn't grown anymore, it's about half way through. Is it okay to leave it? It's not sore.

If it isn't causing any pain then leave it be and be sure to clean around that area extra well. Wisdom teeth are a pain in the bum. They make an appearance when they feel like it!