To feel so embarrassed after trip to dentist

[Mummabear04]

I went to the dentist today for a check up. My gums have been sensitive and I was a bit worried that I had a chip on my front tooth as it felt a bit sensitive at times and I could feel a difference in texture so wanted to get it checked out. My teeth have always been alright, I had some fillings as a kid but I do look after them and brush them twice a day, every day (at least!) I do drink a lot of black coffee and red wine so my teeth aren't pearly white but I never drink fizzy juice and I don't eat much sugar either (I have a pretty good diet on the whole).

Long story short is that the dentist seemed shocked about the state of my teeth. She even asked me if I brush them!!! I am still so embarrassed about it. She said I must be struggling to brush my back teeth, the sruface of my teeth seem corroded? and that I need four bloody fillings! I am so upset by this. I have 2 kids (under 5 years) and was not able to go to the dentist during post partum due to covid and then I had a difficult birth/recovery/looking after a baby and toddler so didn't go for post partum check ups as my teeth have always been OK. I have also developed asthma in the past 2 years and I swear my teeth feel weaker since using my inhalers (is this even a thing?)

Anyway the dentist was a gorgeous, blonde, slim European woman and I felt like an ogre after the appointment. I came home and burst into tears and cried for about half an hour straight. She did say to get an electric toothbrush (I've just ordered) and I've got some well woman max vitamins in the hope they will somehow help my oral health. AIBU to feel shocked that my teeth are in such bad condition? I feel awful about myself.

I have to be really on top of my cleaning
Every 6 months at the hygienist who tells me my teeth are very clean

I use
Ultradex mouthwash before brushing as apparently it lowers the acidity ready for brushing
Oral b io toothbrush with duraphat toothpaste
Floss and interdental brushes making sure they're well coated in toothpaste
Xylitol swished around my mouth a couple of times a day when I remember
A mouthguard I sleep in at night

Despite all that I still have a hole in a wisdom tooth. The dentist did say I couldn't have done any better, it's the back of my tooth and impossible to fill so I would have struggled brushing it anyway

menopause did for mine, gums seem to have shrunk and my teeth have moved!

My hygienist recommended oral b (either pro, or if it was in my budget, iO) I needed to replace my Phillips sonicare. I got the iO 6 - it honestly felt like I was straight out the hygienist the first time i used it, and I’ve been using electric toothbrushes for years.

OP, don’t be embarrassed, just crack on with their recommendations. I was in my 40s when the hygienist basically gave me a lesson in the correct way to brush my teeth. A decent electric toothbrush will make a huge difference.

I am terrified of the dentist due to horrible experiences as a child and a lot of problems with my teeth. The last time I went I was upset and a bit tearful due to the noise of the drilling and he stopped the drill and said "you stupid woman do you get upset while you are hoovering?" I was so shocked that i never went back, I complained at reception but was still shaken up and thinking back I should have gone home and put in a written complaint when I had calmed down.

Water flosser

electic tooth brusher

tongue scraper

gutology probiotic toothpaste.

Water flossers/waterpiks are only recommended when someone doesn’t have the dexterity to use interdental brushes or floss properly. They are a second best option. Much better to use eg interdental brushes which will physically reach further and removes plaque better.

I find I am much more willing to waterflosa daily than I ever flossed.

I also think gut biology affects the germs in mouth, and is something to looK at.

They are cutting their noses off when they have no bedside manner, are judgemental or insulting or make you feel bad. Because when that happens I don't go back and give my business elsewhere.

It’s fluoride free , which means you are much more likely to get decay and toothpaste probiotics have no peer reviewed research to show they have any affect on the oral biome for the 2 minutes they are in the mouth.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41432-024-00976-x

Are you recommending the whole family shares one electric toothbrush? Never heard of people sharing the handle before.

@Biffbaff that's why the heads come with little coloured rings so you can tell whose is whose. I always take the top off and dry the handle before I put it on the charger, otherwise it gets manky pretty fast, so no problem to share a handle (unless you use different bathrooms perhaps).

This

pregnancy also wrecks your teeth. I had to have work on 2 teeth and was mortified.

My dentist told me i'd got off likely and he'd seen MUCH worse post pregnancy.

5 years is also a long time to have no hygenist apps though. I isd to go once a year, I go 2 or 3 x per year now post kids amd my teeth are in better shape as a result

Hygenist told me no mouthwash abd don’t rinse after brushing just a fortnight ago. Regular visiting to dentist and hygenist cause the rules change all the time.

Spit , don’t rinse has been the advice for at least a decade and no mouthwash for even longer.
98% of mouthwashes are classed as cosmetic because there is no clinical evidence they do any good, their ingredients interact with toothpaste and they wash away fluoride L

Interesting, I did realise about the colours on the heads but only thought of that in the context of everyone having their own. Makes sense, it just hadn't occurred to me!

OP- have your children see a dentist yet?

Only time in my life I've ever had gingivitis is when I was pregnant. Corsodyl products, toothpaste and mouthwash, were recommended to me at the time. It plays havoc with your teeth and gums - in the old days it used to be said that you sacrifice a tooth for every child! - and I'm hoping the menopause won't have a similar effect.

I use an electric toothbrush, interdental brushes and a scale and polish every six months to keep on top of mine. I bleach them but find only a very occasional top-up is necessary.

It's happened to most of us at some time or other, OP - don't feel too bad!

I've always used the Braun oral B. They have a round head. I've used their most basic and most expensive models and cannot tell a difference in the clean so tend to go for one of the more basic rechargeable models and use the different types of brush heads if I feel I need to.

The batteries on the rechargeables are not replaceable and they do run out of ability to hold a charge after about 2 - 3 years, which is another reason to buy the more basic model. The brush heads are quite expensive so it works out more cost effective to buy them in larger packs.

Once you've got used to cleaning with an electric toothbrush you won't go back. My teeth feel disgusting if I only do a manual clean.

I went to the dentist on Monday and was given a list of things I need to do better, I don't think it's unusual for a dentist to comment if they don't think you are brushing properly or ou need fillings - you would be more annoyed if she had said the were great and they weren't. I also giving you treatment options is that, its optional. This could be a really great chance for you to turn things around.

Anyway, after my visit I for have now splashed on the electric toothbrush they have been recommending years (oral B IO4) and I have to admit it is really is very good, normal toothbrushes now feel weird to use. It's the thing I put off buying for years and now wouldn't be without one. Boots have some really great deals if you have an advantage card.

My dentist told me that inhalers can have an impact on your teeth…

Pregnancy can play havoc with teeth. Get some good supplements. Electric toothbrush. And good oral hygiene after using inhaler - i would rinse several times then brush. Floss or water pik
If you can afford it a hygienist visit every 6 months can really help.

All very well saying go elsewhere but any new patient at a private dentist will have to pay upwards of £100 just to be seen.... some near me charge £150!

Don't how they get away with that, i mean imagine being charged £100+ for a building quote or a car repair?

You certainly wouldn't be getting 3 quotes to compare :(

OP just remember, she sees 100s of patients, she wont remember you specifically and will be pleased you've taken her advice, also bear in mind, her first language isn't English.

Expanding floss - a recent improvement for me - much better than normal gliding floss I was previously using.

My DC have had electric tooth brushes from the word go - as advised by our then dentist.

😂

It costs a minimum of, in a private practice , £160 an hour per room just to cover the running costs . In an expensive area it’s a minimum of £200 an hour per room just to cover the running costs one room.

The average garage charges £76 an hour , just for labour. In a dental surgery you get the undivided attention of a qualified dentist, dental nurse plus the time before and afterwards to sterilise equipment , disinfect surgery, restock, set up and write up notes.