Dental Chronicles

[Mrsmorton]

I have noticed a number all of the dental related questions on MN get repeated once a month or so; this may be entirely unwelcome but what I intend to do is to make a series of detailed posts answering the most common questions so that I can signpost posters to an answer. Often they disappear in chat and then resurface.

I am a dentist (that's no secret on here) but I have no way of proving my qualifications and neither do I feel the need to. I hope that this will be of some assistance to someone at some point!!

MrsM, I just want to say you're a star - literally just read the entire thread and learnt lots. Dentists terrify me and I think for me is partly the mystery. I have never had any fillings etc and therefore know nothing about any of it and dread going in case this time is the one! Clearly I still need to continue to do everything I'm doing at the moment (and take better care of my gums, my teeth are going to fall out before they need anything else doing to them) but I feel so much better informed, significantly less scared and feel I can just be a bit more of a grown up about it all. Thank you! (deliberate use of toothy grin!)

Hello MrsMorton, thank you so much for this thread. I've often wondered why there wasn''t a dental section on mn, so helpful to have some knowledable advice :)

I'm paying the cost for a sugary diet and neglecting my teeth a long time ago. For the last 15 years I've religiously brushed, visited the dentist & hygienist but the earlier years have left me with quite a lot of fillings, and I have recently had to have lower back (second one in) molar taken out after a perforated root canal. I''m part way through implant surgery - stitches out this week and crown in a couple of months. My problem is I'm really freaked out by flossing, I'm convinced I can feel my teeth move when I do this and become aware of the little gaps between them. I've had this checked/xrayed at the dentist and they've assured me they are not all about to fall out! Is there anything other than flossing that will help me keep my gums and teeth healthy? Also, would you recommend any particular toothpaste? There are so many options out there it's a little bewildering. Thank you in advance :)

Dear MrsM, I just wanted to thank you for some advice you gave me ages back. After avoiding the dentist for ages because I was embarrassed etc I plucked up courage to go because of what you said and the dentist was absolutely lovely. Really kind and patient. Turns out my problem was easy to sort, so I am now on annual check ups with hygienist every 3-6 m in between. I wish I hadn't waited so long!

You are so very kind and helpful on MN, with a wonderful virtual chair side manner. Thank you for giving your time and wisdom so freely. You are a credit to your profession (many of whom are marvellous too!)

for you and this wonderful thread.

Gosh monty thanks.

bowbear I hear good things about waterpiks on here, I use a tepe brush which seems to suit me. Have you seen a hygienist?

I presume so but if you haven't, they live and breathe this stuff and are excellent.

Any toothpaste with fluoride in! I love macleans whitening as I don't think it's too abrasive and with my oral B toothbrush (the one that's about £50) it stops the coffee staining my teeth really well but I don't think it's too abrasive. It's also £1 at Tesco which is quite reasonable. I hate spearmint so always avoid that but really, a lot of the expensive stuff is Kuwait marketing. Fluoride over 1200ppm is my only non negotiable variable.

Just wanted to say thanks - so much useful info here

Thank you so much for your response. I do see the hygienist regularly, 2-3 times a year, plus 6 monthly dental check ups. I want to make sure I'm doing the best for my gums but really struggle with the sensation of flossing, I do have some of those little brushes but again find it difficult, I probably just need to get a grip and get on with it and try to keep my anxiety at bay.

I've recently switched to Oral B strong teeth but had been previously using Colgate. and use an electric Oral B toothbrush with a floss action head. Should I also use a mouthwash/gum protector? - not straight after brushing (I promise I spit rather than rinse!) but inbetween brushing.

Hi Mrsmorton

I have a dental question......

I have an issue with my teeth/mouth.
Started about three weeks ago. Jaw ached lower right side and toothache. Pain went from ear to front teeth but molars hurts esp lr6. Went to see my dentist. She took PA X-rays. Had a look round and said no issues and It was tmj issues. A few days later it seemed worse, all my lower jaw ached. Went back to dentist. She had another look said all ok and to take ibruprofen. 10 days ago it seemed worse so went back and saw another dentist at the practice. He looked, tapped and checked x rays and said my teeth are good but I have signs of clenching. He said this can make teeth sensitive and they can hurt. He said to get some muscle relaxants from Drs. My GP prescribed Amytripline and I could have a mouth guard.
I don't want to tempt fate but it seems better but I'm still worried about it. It doesn't hurt to eat. It's not cold/hot sensitive. It doesn't throb. Doesn't keep my awake all night. I'm aware of it, if that makes sense. Sometimes it tingles, sometimes I feel like burning in my lower jaw. Sometimes it's all lower molars, sometimes it's just the one. Some mornings I have a headache/earache on waking. Sometimes my top molars ache sometimes the bottom ones, sometimes just the lr7.
If it was my tooth surely something would have been seen wouldn't it?!
I sound crazy but I'm not......
Thanks for ur time.

bow there's really no need to use mouthwash, I would struggle to actually recommend a routine one to you because there are only a couple that actually do anything and one of them causes staining which is quite tough to get off. If you're desperate to then I think Fluoriguard is pretty good, extra Topical fluoride is never bad for your teeth and it also has antibacterial properties. Do you actually have gum disease or are you just anxious after having lots of fillings etc?

user TMJ disfunction is a bit of a nightmare, I have it myself and have had since I was about 15. If there was a simple fix, I would have paid for it by now! Your symptoms sound like some sort of "parafunction" (clenching or grinding etc) but it's impossible to be 100%. Many dental problems show up clearly on x rays, many don't...
I think the best thing you could do is keep some sort of diary that to say what sort of symptoms/sensations you're getting and whether you've slept well/been at work/been drinking/been stressed etc. That may help to demonstrate a trigger for the issue. Dental issues tend to respond to a stimulus such as hot, cold, tapping, moving the head etc. TMJ problems along with the other facial pain syndromes can be a bit more frustrating fluid in their presentation.

No I don't have gum disease. They have been inflamed in past and I've had bleeding whilst brushing but not for quite some time now. Mostly I think it's anxiety over the work I've had done and worry about keeping my teeth in as good condition as possible to avoid any further problems.
I've just been reading the small print on my toothpaste, it says 1100ppm flouride and 350ppm sodium flouride - is it the combined total that counts?
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really am grateful :)

That's oral B toothpaste? It has two different types of Fluoride compound which apparently work slightly differently i think i used to know how

That's plenty of Fluoride. Don't stress about your gums, if you see a hygienist regularly they would definitely be on your back if you had anything to worry about.

Mrsmorton

Thanks for your reply.

I have found that the discomfort I have isn't there all day or everyday. Some days like today it's not been any bother now tonight as I'm sitting down I feel it but it feels like the gum where my wisdom teeth were on the right and not the molar other days it's on and off also my right cheek near my ear if I touch there it seems to agrivate my jaw sensation. My gum tonight feels irritated/sore not pain as such. I sound crazy..... sometimes I wonder if I am imagining it all. When I was out all day it was fine, yet if I think 'oh not felt my tooth/mouth' it starts.....

Hi Mrsm
Yes Oral B - have been trying all different ones lately but decided I quite like this one.
Thank you very much for the advice and reassurance, I shall keep on the case and try to get braver with the flossing! At least my no snacking/minimum sugar tooth protection regime is also have a good effect on the waistline :)
Great thread, thanks again for giving up your time to impart some dental wisdom

Reporting back @Mrsmorton after your timely advice last night. I had a fitful night's sleep with my teeth clenched together when I was semi/awake!

I rang the dentist at 9.30 and was in to see her by 10am. Crown just lifted off and is now firmly back on with permanent cement this time. So far, so good!

Oh, and no more sensitivity

That's great news on all counts.

Hi,
I've been told by my dentist I have decay under my post crown. What will happen to it? I'm terrified the tooth will have to come out as it's my front tooth.
Thanks.

No idea without seeing you or your tooth. Surely your dentist gave you some ideas?

Hi Mrsmorton

I've replied above 😃

I know, I read it but I don't know what you want me to say? I've nothing more to add than what I said earlier. Was there a specific question you wanted to ask? I couldn't see one in your narrative.

Sorry didn't copy the rest of message.....

Your idea of a diary was a great idea. I will do that. I have an appt with my dentist on 5th May. One question I did have was amytripline...... does that relax the tmj muscles?

AFAIR amitryptilline stops you feeling pain in the same way rather than acting as a muscle relaxant. There's a website called BSOS which may have some resources. I've not been on it for a while. British society of occlusal studies. Otherwise, there's a fair anount online about the different medications that can help. Often it's trial and error. Are you going back for a review?

He said to go back to see if I needed the mouth guard and he would do the imprint. I started on 10mg for a week and GP said to increase to 20mg which I did a few days ago.

Hi MrsM, what a star you are to do this thread!
I've just read through the whole thing to hopefully find an answer to my current problem but couldn't find one. I have always suffered from ulcers but in the past 24 hours loads have erupted, one large, one smaller and two clusters of small ones which have spread to the top inside of my lips (bit nearest gums) . My gums have been a bit sore for a few days so I've been thorough with brushing but it hasn't prevented them. I've been rinsing with salt water and applying a topical gel. I also bought some mouthwash for ulcers but having read through the thread I'm wondering whether that was a bit of a waste of money.
So two questions really; is there anything else I could do to relieve the pain and speed up healing and would a dentist be likely to be interested or tell me just to see how it goes for a couple of weeks as that's the general clear up time anyway?

Wow I feel like this is perfect timing to come across a thread like this.

I have tonight been researching dentists (mainly based on reviews as I have a bit of a fear from treatment as a child).

I had a root canal in my front bottom tooth as a child, after my brother hit me (don't worry I'll be sending him my dental bill haha).

I recall the treatment was very painful, yet my dentist reassuring my mother that I couldn't feel anything. I was about 6 at the time.

Recently (I'm 29) the tooth has become very sensitive, borderline painful, and a little wobbly. It also isn't nice appearance wise.

You mentioned earlier that you don't like crowns, do I have many other options?