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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset about my teeth

60 replies

Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 09:13

Am I being unreadable to be crying about this ? Out of the blue yesterday I had very bad toothache booked in with an emergency dentist who told me I need two root canals on upper back molars and a wisdom removed. I was shocked I saw my dentist six months ago I had a filling done on the opposite side but that side wasn’t mentioned.
I knew one tooth needed work as I bit on a hoola hoop a few months ago and a bit of tooth snapped off.

I didn’t go the dentist as I fell pregnant and had a 12 week Miscarriage I just left it and not it’s infected and I’ve been in a lot of pain.
I had a root canal on a lower back molar years ago but lost that tooth in the end and I struggle with the dentist as I have benign positional vertigo so can’t be laid back for long periods or can have an attack which I get stuck with for weeks then end up housebound and these are top teeth which means I will have to tilt my head back which is my worst nightmare.

I’ve woken up crying and depressed I don’t want two back teeth out on one side next to each other I’m only 36 and if you didn’t know you would think I had lovely teeth nice straight and whiteish considering I used to smoke.

Gave up smoking a week ago and it’s made me want to smoke again because I just think wtf is the point now damage is done.
I had braces as a teen and they already took four of my teeth out then which I don’t think they should of done so I’m already short on teeth.
I want to cry but want rid of the pain of this tooth he said both are cracked I can only feel one crack but I can’t see because of where it is .
what will I do ? Root canals don’t Always work 😭😭 I’ve had the worst start to the year as it is 😪😪

OP posts:
BabyOnBoard90 · 07/02/2023 10:49

WildTing · 07/02/2023 09:29

@BabyOnBoard90 You're a bit spikey!

Op, loads of people have several root canals at this age and younger. Nobody knows or cares about other people's teeth particularly the back ones, people just get 'judged' on the ones visible in talking and smiling. I would be upset that it wasn't flagged up in previous check up unless this is a fracture issue. It's not unusual for 2 dentists to have different approached and opinions as to what to do with a tooth so I would get a second opinion and discuss ways of dealing with your vertigo issue if you do indeed need to have the treatments. Good luck and sorry about your miscarriage 💐

There was me thinking I was a bit restrained lol

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 12:20

No he’s a new dentist for me never met him he gave me antibiotics as he said there is an infection there I’m in so much pain again today 😭😭

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/02/2023 12:41

Roots canals are split into 3 appts in my experience. Once is about and hour,my next two were 1.5 each. Not going to sugar coat it,it was awful,not painful just lying back with your mouth open that long trying not to gag with the dental dam. I honestly can't see how you'd cope if 20 mins is too much. I felt very light headed afterwards as I'd been lying back so long.

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 13:14

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/02/2023 12:41

Roots canals are split into 3 appts in my experience. Once is about and hour,my next two were 1.5 each. Not going to sugar coat it,it was awful,not painful just lying back with your mouth open that long trying not to gag with the dental dam. I honestly can't see how you'd cope if 20 mins is too much. I felt very light headed afterwards as I'd been lying back so long.

I know that’s what I’m worried about the actual dental work doesn’t bother me to much I can handle fillings as their quite fast. I’ve had a root canal before took ages 😭 leaning my head back is a problem leaning forward doesn’t bother me that’s why I’m so distressed about it all tbh 😪

OP posts:
Springpetal · 07/02/2023 13:36

I’ve got a denture on back bottom teeth ,I take it out at night .
It really upset me having 3 teeth out ,but I’d had bulimia for practically my whole life ,so I got off lightly.
the denture is a cheap NHS one ,cost me £250 .
can’t even tell I’ve got it in ,it’s so comfortable,I sometimes forget to take it out at night .
i have dentist phobia ,so I’d never manage tooth implants .
felt like the end of the world at the time ,but life goes on

Perfect28 · 07/02/2023 13:38

Don't start smoking again, if you've done a week you've done the worst bit! There are a million more benefits than just your teeth.

Springpetal · 07/02/2023 13:39

Should of said ,I could of had root canal on 2 of the teeth ,but I couldn’t face it .the drilling is absolute hell for me

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 14:08

Springpetal · 07/02/2023 13:36

I’ve got a denture on back bottom teeth ,I take it out at night .
It really upset me having 3 teeth out ,but I’d had bulimia for practically my whole life ,so I got off lightly.
the denture is a cheap NHS one ,cost me £250 .
can’t even tell I’ve got it in ,it’s so comfortable,I sometimes forget to take it out at night .
i have dentist phobia ,so I’d never manage tooth implants .
felt like the end of the world at the time ,but life goes on

So sorry to hear of your bulimia and I’m glad you got sorted does it glue in ? What made them let you have that rather than a gap ? This pain is horrible tbh I don’t know how long I can put up with this pain before asking them to take the worst one out one is hurting a lot more then the other.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 14:09

Perfect28 · 07/02/2023 13:38

Don't start smoking again, if you've done a week you've done the worst bit! There are a million more benefits than just your teeth.

No i won’t be smoking again but I’m very upset at what I’ve done to myself by smoking now in this pain 😪

OP posts:
lobeliasb · 07/02/2023 15:19

Can the dentist not work with you and allow you to have the procedure sitting up instead of laying down? My husband had a root canal while sitting up, so it can be done. I have had root canals and didn't really find them any worse than having a filling done to be honest. You won't want to lose those teeth if it can be helped, because the jawbone will start to atrophy if the teeth are lost and that can lead to a sunken in appearance on that side. And of course you can get dental implants for molars, no idea why the PP's dentist said that.

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 16:35

lobeliasb · 07/02/2023 15:19

Can the dentist not work with you and allow you to have the procedure sitting up instead of laying down? My husband had a root canal while sitting up, so it can be done. I have had root canals and didn't really find them any worse than having a filling done to be honest. You won't want to lose those teeth if it can be helped, because the jawbone will start to atrophy if the teeth are lost and that can lead to a sunken in appearance on that side. And of course you can get dental implants for molars, no idea why the PP's dentist said that.

Hi thanks for replying is this possible on top back teeth I’ve sat sitting up for a bottom tooth removal that one had a root canal which failed but thought for top teeth I have to be lying down. I’m very worried about how that side of my face will look with two teeth gone from the back 😭
The one with the crack looks like it can be sorted to me I think the wisdom has to go though as it’s to difficult to root canal a wisdom tooth.
i would love an implant there but again it’s sitting in the chair for long periods this b@stard thing I have is the Bain of my life 😭

OP posts:
GettingStuffed · 07/02/2023 16:40

I've had numerous root canals, the problem is that they've all cracked off so I've a number of stubs now. This wasn't bad dental hygeine, but I develop cavities through tiny holes in my teeth.

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 17:02

GettingStuffed · 07/02/2023 16:40

I've had numerous root canals, the problem is that they've all cracked off so I've a number of stubs now. This wasn't bad dental hygeine, but I develop cavities through tiny holes in my teeth.

Do they not hurt ? I think I’ve got weak teeth I don’t drink I’ve never taken drugs don’t eat sweets really drink water mainly and tea once or twice a day no sugar. Even as a child my teeth were weak I had fillings as a teen and had good oral hygiene as I had braces so had to clean three times a day and I’ve still got cavities.
Have you just left them their bloody painful 😪

OP posts:
CohenTree · 07/02/2023 17:22

This is a relatively minor problem in medical terms and it is something that can be completely fixed. There are medications you might be able to take for the BPPV prior to the procedure... or you could ask if you can have it done in hospital under GA?

Fatandgobby · 07/02/2023 17:30

I also have BPV. Yesterday I had implant surgery for a top molar. It was fine. Tell your dentist and they can adjust their chair position and height so they can work easily but not set off an ‘attack’.
Good luck!

Andsoforth · 07/02/2023 17:43

I’ve had an embarrassing amount of root canals and my experience has been that they were boring but not particularly awful otherwise. I think there’s a lot of scaremongering on this thread.

I need more anaesthetic than average and once I’ve discussed this, I’ve never had an issue getting enough. Generally they start with a bit less and then top me up when they realise I can still feel it. Discuss this and if you’re not comfortable with the response just get up and walk out!

Have a chat about the vertigo problem; it’s unusual but I doubt you’re the only person. You may be better going to a specialist with a lot of experience and better equipment (I have crooked roots and normal dentists can’t get all the way down) who might be able to manage a different position than a regular dentist.

It might also be worth updating your knowledge on dental hygiene - mine was way off and a lot of what I learned in primary school was wrong. Like brushing straight after eating is terrible for your teeth and you want to brush in small gentle circles, not vigorously back and forth.

Big hugs because I really empathise with dental phobia and the shock of losing teeth (dreams about this are very common and I think it’s a kind of primal response). It will be okay!

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 18:00

Fatandgobby · 07/02/2023 17:30

I also have BPV. Yesterday I had implant surgery for a top molar. It was fine. Tell your dentist and they can adjust their chair position and height so they can work easily but not set off an ‘attack’.
Good luck!

This is good to hear mine only sets off when I tilt backwards sometimes at an angle I’m ok looking downwards. Maybe I can get through this I do have medication I could double dose on and make myself drowsy beforehand too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 18:02

Destiny123 · 07/02/2023 17:57

I can do it on myself not a problem at home these days to fix myself but I probably can’t do this in the dentist then I tend to feel like I’m on a boat a few weeks after an episode which is horrible so I try not to set it off as I panic.

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 07/02/2023 18:02

Get a guard as cracks can happen from grinding.

Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 18:03

CohenTree · 07/02/2023 17:22

This is a relatively minor problem in medical terms and it is something that can be completely fixed. There are medications you might be able to take for the BPPV prior to the procedure... or you could ask if you can have it done in hospital under GA?

I would love to be asleep but I think I need one out asap as I’m in agony with the wisdom one the most.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 18:03

BashfulClam · 07/02/2023 18:02

Get a guard as cracks can happen from grinding.

Yea I’m going to ask to have one made as I’m grinding so much lately been a very stressful time in my life too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tweetypie27 · 07/02/2023 18:07

Andsoforth · 07/02/2023 17:43

I’ve had an embarrassing amount of root canals and my experience has been that they were boring but not particularly awful otherwise. I think there’s a lot of scaremongering on this thread.

I need more anaesthetic than average and once I’ve discussed this, I’ve never had an issue getting enough. Generally they start with a bit less and then top me up when they realise I can still feel it. Discuss this and if you’re not comfortable with the response just get up and walk out!

Have a chat about the vertigo problem; it’s unusual but I doubt you’re the only person. You may be better going to a specialist with a lot of experience and better equipment (I have crooked roots and normal dentists can’t get all the way down) who might be able to manage a different position than a regular dentist.

It might also be worth updating your knowledge on dental hygiene - mine was way off and a lot of what I learned in primary school was wrong. Like brushing straight after eating is terrible for your teeth and you want to brush in small gentle circles, not vigorously back and forth.

Big hugs because I really empathise with dental phobia and the shock of losing teeth (dreams about this are very common and I think it’s a kind of primal response). It will be okay!

Maybe I am not brushing right but I think mine is more the grinding issue which I wake up doing most mornings lately. The dentist said my gums and bottom teeth are really healthy but maybe I am not getting to the back ones properly like I thought at the top. I hate toothache rather give birth been in agony all day 😭
Im not really a dental phobic as in having my teeth messed with doesn’t bother me as such it’s just the dizzy issue and I do hate the drill part I heard if I ask for white ones it isn’t as much drilling ?

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 07/02/2023 18:10

You sound like you’ve been through a lot. Be kind to yourself.

Applesandcarrots · 07/02/2023 18:16

BabyOnBoard90 · 07/02/2023 09:15

Improve your dental hygiene if you want to avoid these situations.

Good that you're quitting smoking, that's a start.

🙄
Sometimes tooth issues including weakness and being prone to needing fillings has not much to do with dental hygiene.
For example my issues stem from lots of antibiotics when young. It also affects colour so mine are stripy. Or genetical, or any other medical conditions. While people should always do their best, sometimes the best isn't enough.

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