Why are my teeth so shit?

[BackToTheOIdHouse]

Just want a moan, really.

I go to the dentist religiously every six months for a checkup/scale & polish if needed, I use interdental brushes daily and brush two or three times a day, I don't eat or drink sugary stuff or smoke. Yet still my gums are receding/often bleed, I have episodes of pain and I always seem to need loads of fillings.

To top it all off, last night a back tooth chipped (around a filling, which so far has stayed in place thankfully). I was only at the dentist in July, and I can't afford to go again so I'm stuck with it until after Christmas probably. So worried it's going to suddenly start killing me or the filling will fall out too. Also I must have swallowed the bit that came off, so hopefully that won't cause any problems on its 'journey'.

I have trigeminal neuralgia, and dental work sets it off just to make it even more joyous.

What am I doing wrong? Is it genetic? I seem to remember my mum having shit teeth but she was terrified of the dentist so never went, so I always thought that was the reason why.

Why can't I be a shark with their regenerating teeth?!

Mine are similar, except it's my gums that are the problem. My teeth are on the wonk now and it's likely I'll start losing some soon.

I'm almost at the stage where I just want them all gone and to have dentures. I'm spending so much on hygienists and periodontal treatments that if they're going to go anyway it seems like throwing money away.

I listened to a very interesting podcast yesterday about the oral biome and how it relates to the gut biome. So much of our dental care is based around killing bacteria, when in fact new research is suggesting that, like the gut biome, a certain amount of bacteria is necessary and healthy. I definitely feel like you do, my gums recede and my teeth feel weak and hollow as I'm getting older. There's certainly some food for thought in this podcast even if you ultimately decide it's not for you.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/feel-better-live-more-with-dr-rangan-chatterjee/id1333552422?i=1000428454212

I have dreadful teeth and had a mouthful of fillings in the 70s, before I left primary school. They aren’t Jeremy Kyle guest teeth, but I prefer not to let anyone see me in wide open mode.

How is your diet? Tooth health is very dependant on gum health and for a lot of people gum problems start with poor nutrition/excessive drinking.

@Grimbles how old are you if you don't mind me asking? I'm 47 and have already lost three teeth, admittedly a long time ago (roughly 20 years) though and possibly connected to pregnancy. Though I think that a couple may well be on the way out now, including the one that's just broken. I know what you mean about treatments etc, it feels like holding back the tide and seems to make no difference.

@thenewaveragebear1983 thank you - at this point I'm open to all suggestions so will check this out.

What's annoying is DH never goes to the dentist (hasn't been since 2011) and never has any problems. He's scrupulous about cleaning though.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, I wonder if this could be a contributing factor?

@BogglesGoggles four beers on a Friday and Saturday evening, so under 10 units a week (with the very occasional exception). I'm vegetarian and I try to avoid sugary things, eat lots of veg/pulses etc. So pretty good diet-wise. No sugary drinks, a couple of cans of diet/sugar free Coke a week but that's it.

Sorry to say teeth get worse during menopause. Teeth and hormones are connected.

Obvious question, but is your diet high in sugar? Fruit juice, etc?

X-post! It’s not sugar then :-#

Genetic unfortunately, assuming you're not mouthwashing with coca cola and eating 17 oranges a day.

I actually have no idea if I'm going through the menopause or not - I have a Mirena coil and haven't had a period for 15 years, so no idea of they've stopped or whatever. I've been more sweaty at night in the last few months and been a bit down. I had no idea crap teeth could be connected! They've been crap for decades mind, they're probably only going to get crapper aren't they. Balls.

I'm 42 and the periodontist I see thinks I'm unusually young to have such an advanced form of gum disease.

I'm particularly aggrieved because my usual (nhs) dentist didnt flag any problems over the years I saw him. It was only once he left and the new dentist saw me that it was raised and I was referred to a specialist periodontal surgeon.

Just to add though, my mum lost teeth during her pregnancies, and I have recently been pregnant too. Apparently pregnancy hormones do affect your teeth and gums.

I have crap teeth as well I am 38. Most have fillings. No gum disease. I don't have a particularly sweet tooth.

They started to get bad after my second baby at 25. The dentist told me it's a complete myth that pregnancy doesn't effect teeth?

There is a genetic link, if your mother had tooth and gum problems it is no surprise if you do sadly.

Can I ask what sort of brush you use? The biggest improvement to my oral health and toughening up of my gums is an ultrasonic toothbrush.

I use an ultrasonic brush - seriously, I've done everything I can to stop the rot (literally) but nothing seems to help. I guess it must be genetic, which is shit and so unfair.

I've been seeing the students from the local dental hospital for a few years - it's free, but they've stopped the service for all but new patients now (and only one course of treatment each). It was very helpful while it lasted from a financial POV but I've a feeling that despite supervision, they haven't been as thorough as a 'proper' dentist would be. No offence whatsoever to them. But they've put 'watches' on so many of my teeth when I've gone in with pain rather than treat them, not done any X rays and so on. I've a feeling when I next see a dentist there'll be loads that needs doing.

Just been ringing around dentists and the earliest I can be seen is next Tuesday. Best stock up on cocodamol!

I go every 3 months atm for a 'deep clean' under the gums. It's not a nice experience but does do the job as long as you keep on with the pointy things as well. Has your dentist done the under the gums thing?

Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives, anti depressants.

Those are three big contributors to poor oral health. Also anti inflammatories I believe, IIRC.

Have you tried an electric toothbrush with pressure sensor OP?

I have some gum recession from over brushing in an incorrect scrubbing, sawing motion in my 20s using a manual toothbrush (I used to brush 8+ times a day).

My teeth feel much better now with the electric brush and the recession hasn't increased since I started using it.

Sadly a lot of it is genetic when it comes to gum disease. I have appalling teeth, thankfully all in the back and am awaiting my 4th implant for a molar. Yes, I've lost FOUR molars in my late 30s and 40s. I just have to wait for the bone to heal up a bit and then I'll have another implant.

Oops. Sorry, cross posted. I see you use an ultra sonic brush.
I had typed out a reply earlier and when I went to post the page didn't refresh so I had only seen the first few replies and missed that one.

Apologies

I'm not sure if it's available in the UK or not but there is a toothpaste called Parodontax Complete Protection which is extremely good if you have gum issues. My dentist recommended it to me about a year ago and my gums haven't bled at all since I started using it. It's unfortunately fairly pricey (about EUR 4,50 a tube) but that's still a lot cheaper than a visit to the dentist!

Are you on any medication for your r.arthritis? Only asking as I’ve been on slow release morphing for a few years and the co diction of my teeth have drastically plummeted. Have you asked your dentist if you have any contributing factors or if there is anything they can suggest?

morphine*

It’s definitely genetic. My teeth are shite, I have to do all that interdental brushing etc etc.

My stepfather has the most perfect white teeth and no cavities or fillings. He doesn’t brush twice a day and didn’t even have a toothbrush or toothpaste growing up.

Haven't RTFT , sorry if this has already been suggested.

Gurgle with coconut fat, just every second day 10-20 min. Thought it was a joke, but even my dentist thought it helped my mouth overall. You can Google it on pinterest. Please combined with your usual brushing, too. And don't spit it out in a drain.

And D vitamin, if in deficit it will affect your teeth.

It is genetic more than likely. Just as some people have fine hair or go bald, or whatever, some have poor teeth. I mentioned it to a hygienist who was actually a newly qualified dentist once and he said that it’s the luck of the draw.

I have to go to the hygienist every three months, the dentist every six months, use an electric toothbrush, edge brush and interdental brushes. Flipping expensive, especially as it’s private. There’s no NHS dentistry here.