Endless dental problems in 20s... need advice

[ErickBroch]

Hi all,

I am struggling to cope with what feels like a cycle of continuous dental problems. I am being told I need root canals and crowns every time I go to the dentist, I get tooth infections and pain often, I had to have a tooth extracted as an emergency in June... I can't see a way out.

Ironically, I have always taken good care of my teeth and never had issues with plaque or cavities. All of a sudden it's just been one root canal after another. I can't even get an NHS appointment due to COVID-19 so private is my only option. I managed to afford some private care in 2019 after a car accident (and I had some money) but that ran out quick.

Crying my eyes out once more because my only ever successful root canal (done last year by a specialist endodontist) and crown fitted - now has another infection! I feel hopeless. Dentists tell me it's genetics and I am not caring for my teeth wrong. I feel like I'm destined to have no teeth and no confidence.

Has anyone been through something similar? Did you get through it? I have considered going to Europe for implants but I am scared of things going wrong.

I had similar because my teeth have deep grooves in them(genetic tooth formation issue). The grooves were so deep that plaque would form that even a hygenist visit every few months could not remove. But after my first root canal, also in my 20s, I had the dentist put this permanent sealant on my teeth to prevent cavities. This worked really well as it prevents the decay from taking hold. I have had no more root canals although many of my teeth are more composite/filling than natural tooth at this point.
Visiting the dental hygenist every 3-6months is essential part of my teeth staying decay free.
Is there nothing preventative that they can do?

Hi OP dentist here

Firstly multiple root canals at 26 is not normal and unlikely to be genetics.

Root canals and abscess dont just happen. They happen because the teeth are decayed. Decay is caused by sugar and plaque. Some people are more prediposed due to crowding/fissures which enables plaque to build. But as the PP said if the dentist thinks its deep fissures you can fissure seal, if its crowing orthodontics.

Your dentist needs to sit you down and do a diet diary and discuss your oral hygeine with you. They need to find the cause and address it. I would also suggest a high flouride toothpaste.

@UncleFoster thanks! I have a high flouride toothpaste and due to personal health do not eat sugar or sweeteners! Including natural sugars. The latest problems seem to have come from wisdom teeth impacting the teeth next to them and causing severe damage inside.

it is genetics - have double the normal amount of roots in almost all my teeth and they are twisted/tied

How often is your dentist taking xrays? Really they should be doing them at least yearly on you, the wisdom teeth id unfortunate and that can happen when they are

Extra roots wont cause you to need root canals and crowns. It might mean root canals are more challenging and more likely to fail but it wont cause you to need a root canal

I think you need to explore with your dentist more why this is happening. I dont really think its acceptable to say oh its genetic because there will be a cause and the dentist needs to find it and address it. Even if its something anatomical they need to teach you how to keep those areas clean

I agree with @UncleFoster the dentist- your dentist should be able to do a preventative care plan of some sort. You mentioned your wisdom teeth.

On wisdom teeth, I had to have all mine removed in my early 20s. I think I was under 22 because I was still an undergraduate when I had them done. Two were impacted and pushing on the tooth in front. The other two had erupted but they were really deformed/spiky is best way I can describe them. I paid a lot to have this done for me at the time as a poor student. It wasn’t covered by NHS.

I have had many dentists and some have not been very good. If your dentist isn’t taking steps like @Unclefoster said, eg annual xrays (which I do get too), then it would be worth getting a second opinion from another dentist.

I also had crowding and a cross bite so I spent thousands on braces in my late 20s. Got them off at 30.

Some of us have to invest cash to have good teeth. It’s the (un)luck of the draw. But I’m almost fifty now and I do not regret a penny. If that helps at all.