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HELP - my teeth are disintegrating!!!

26 replies

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:24

No joke - I really do need help!
Quite a while ago, my old dentist filed down the ends of my front teeth. Since then it just seems like the enamel is eroding (it may not be connected). It started with a rough 'ridgy' feeling on the bottom side of the teeth. It is now affecting other teeth (so about 6 on my top row). My very front tooth now has a crack - now on the face, not on the bottom (again I think it's the enamel eroding).
I brush twice a day, floss, mouthwash, see the dentist every 3 months - what can I do???

I'm on the NHS and asked her what I could do, she said there wasn't much and it was quite a common problem. She's lovely but doesn't speak too much English - can she really mean that????

Am very paranoid and very worried - is there any hope for me?

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southeastastra · 06/04/2008 23:26

ew see the dentist

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:26

thanks for that! As i explained I have...

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southeastastra · 06/04/2008 23:32

see another dentist

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:32

TBH Southeastastra - I think 'ew', see the dentist - is a bit of an insensitive reply considering I had just said I'd been to the dentist and was paranoid and scared - cheers for that!

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peanutbear · 06/04/2008 23:32

mine are too I went to the dentist £750 to fix the problem so I am going to look for an NHS one tomorrow

southeastastra · 06/04/2008 23:33

well no one here can see your teeth can they

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:33

Hi Peanutbear - have you any idea what's caused it?

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DuchessOfNorksSnowSpecial · 06/04/2008 23:35

So the filed down teeth were left without a covering of enamel on the biting edge? That sounds like a recipe for disaster. They probably need to be capped.

I would certainly seek a second opinion. It doesn't cost that much more to see a private dentist than an NHS one (unless you're exempt of charges) so phone around and see how much an initial consultation would be. You can decline having xrays/panorals etc if you don't want to pay extra for those.

But get on and do it, hurty teeth have a big impact on daily life.

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:37

Thanks Duchess - I couldn't believe that my dentist said there was nothing I could do! They don't actually hurt that much, I'm just very aware of them and makes me less smiley
Do you know if I can continue with NHS with my current dentist but see someone else separately for this problem?

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peanutbear · 06/04/2008 23:42

oh there is defiantly something they can do it just costs unfortunately the dentist told me it was sugary things and moving from a fluoride area to a non fluoride area

DuchessOfNorksSnowSpecial · 06/04/2008 23:43

I think you can use a private dentist AND stay on with your NHS dentist for regular check-ups.

You could check with the British Dental Health Foundation's Word of Mouth Helpline on 0845 063 1188.

shyteteeth · 06/04/2008 23:52

My diet's pretty good actually, not too much sugary stuff. I do drink quite a lot of wine though
I'll definitely give the number a call and see where I stand in terms of staying with my regular NHS dentist for regular check-ups.

Thanks for the advice!!
Peanutbear - I'll post when/if I get this seen to - would be interested to hear how it pans out for you too...

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shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 00:36

p.s. Would love to hear if other people have had/have this...
Since I've had this problem, I've become very interested in other people's teeth!!

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UnderRated · 07/04/2008 00:45

I think you need to see another dentist. Why did she file your teeth?

shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 00:57

Underated - I think it was the result of a vigorous descaling session (I say think as I have actually blocked it out of my mind - it was a few years back and I REALLY don't like the dentist!).
They did something and the next dentist said let's make this smoother and file it down...and hey presto...
Because it's affecting other teeth though, I think this probably hasn't been caused by this.
I do think I should get a 2nd opinion though - and will do that next week. I might call the number Duchess gave me first though, and ask whether my NHS dentist should be giving me help for this - and not saying 'it's quite common and there's not much you can do'

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UnderRated · 07/04/2008 01:08

Ouch. Def see someone else.

shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 01:10
Sad
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sandcastles · 07/04/2008 02:56

It really depends on what is going on with your teeth, why they were filed down, how they were filed down [on the flat surface you see when you smile, or the biting surface?], the level of deterioration between the filing & now, your diet etc!

It really is hard to say what it could be. If they were filed down on the biting surfaces, due to not being level, then not alot of tooth structure would have been taken away & it is highly unlikely to have caused further problems, ime. Natural grinding usually causes inconsistencies on the biting surface.

If they filed the flat surface you see when you smile, then again it would have been so minute an amount. If she had taken away all your enamel you would be in a hell of a lot of pain, believe me!

Wine is very acidic, it could be that it is causing a weakness in your enamel. Are you throwing up for any reason periodolically? The acid can cause enamel erosion. If you are brushing immediately after drinking wine/being sick you could literally be rubbing the acid into your teeth & wearing them away.

If it is enamel erosion you will have flat, non shiny surfaces, that will be yellowing. If it is not, your teeth will have a white shiny appearance, as per normal.

If it is the biting surfaces, could be that you are grinding, which imo, sounds like the most likely cause of a crack. Many cracks come to nothing, I have several that haven't progressed.

If you are grinding, NHS dentists are often reluctant to treat as they don't have enough expertise in the field of TMJ to reduce the problem sufficiently. Oh & it costs alot too!

Second opinion is def needed. Oh & if you do see a private dentist, make sure your NHS one OK with it, as some NHS dentists I know have refused to continue treating patients who see other dentists.

shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 09:56

Hi Sandcastles
It was originally the biting surface of my two, top front teeth that were filed. Because the same ridgy feeling (and look) has now affected other top teeth, I don't think it is probably to do with the filing.
What's so horrid is that there is now a crack on the flat surface. I'm terrified that they're literally going to disintegrated.

Also (and this is horrid so apologies) - the ridge on the biting surface of the two front top teeth has become dark and discoloured - they're a real mess.

I saw the dentist for my regular 3-month check up a month ago and she didn't even comment on them - and when I brought it up she said there wasn't much they could do

I hardly ever throw up, but do tend to brush my teeth fairly soon after having drunk wine - do you think that might be the problem?

Thanks for the advice re NHS - I think I'll phone them and see how they would feel about me seeing someone else while continuing to go there.

Thanks for the advice...time to be proactive and get this all sorted...

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sandcastles · 07/04/2008 13:16

I would start waiting at least 20 minutes after eating/drinking ANYTHING & brushing. Especially acidic food.

When we eat/drink our teeth undergo an acid attack, so brushing too soon just brushes the acid around.

It does sound to me that you may well be grinding & that is causing the ridging, which was quite possibly the reason that they were filed in the first place.

Chances are that this extra pressure may have caused the crack.

She did seem fairly dismissive of it, which is worrying, if I am honest. As even of there wasn't much she could do, she could have reaasured you or refered you.

The darkening may well just be staining, but again it is difficult to say. Is it red wine you tend to drink? Lots of tea/coffee? Do you smoke? All tend to stain teeth quicky & badly, so you may want to re assess your lifestyle until you find an answer.

shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 14:17

Thanks a million sandcastles

Have called the Dental Health number this morning to check whether I can seek a second opinion privately without losing my right to have checkups with my NHS dentist, and they said that was totally fine. The only conflict is if I go to another NHS dentist (chance would be a fine thing - all the NHS practices are chocca round here!).

I don't touch red wine but do drink coffee and...yes...smoke (am giving up next week though).

Have contacted a local private surgery and will wait to see what they say re the second opinion.

Thanks again!

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shyteteeth · 07/04/2008 15:19

Have just made an appointment with a private dentist next week for a consultation...they seem to think it could be a 'bite' problem...will see what they say.

Thanks for everyone's advice and help

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DuchessOfNorksSnowSpecial · 07/04/2008 17:05

Well done! I hope it can all be fixed.

sandcastles · 07/04/2008 23:41

Yay! Sounds good, I bet the staining is coffee/cigs then!

But at least they sounded a bit more positive! If it is a bite problem, you could well be grinding too, as I said.

Please let me know what they say!

shyteteeth · 08/04/2008 00:38

I was actually telling DP about all this tonight and he said he noticed I'd been grinding teeth in my sleep the other night...so could be exactly what you said Sandcastles...plus maybe a bite issue - will no doubt find out.
Hey ho, we'll see after the consultation - it's going to be a happy tuesday in this household (am dreading it...!)
Thanks again guys

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