Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Might lose my front teeth, really scared of it

26 replies

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:04

I've namechanged, obviously...

I knackered my teeth several years ago due to an eating disorder - not throwing up but eating the wrong things and not looking after myself.

Have had years of pain and quite a few of my teeth have been crowned and root filled. It's been a long battle but by last year I felt I'd reached a plateau and things were not too bad - getting far fewer problems with them.

I've since been through another pregnancy and am breastfeeding, and feel very run down, and they are starting to play up again...had pain this morning and went to the out of hours service, where I was given an x ray, antibiotics due to an infection beneath a crown at the front, and then told it was actually under both of them, and that he thought the prognosis was very poor and I would lose those two teeth.

I have felt resignedly despairing all day - this is it. I'm not yet 40 and might be looking at dentures. It's horrible.

Either that or the duty dentist was trying to make me feel bad about it, it sounds awful but often I get really rude comments when a new dentist sees my teeth, as they are pretty shot. I get all sorts of passive aggressive comments, one even said there was no time to anaesthetise before doing something painful - while lecturing me about looking after them - the damage was done years ago

I know I've been letting my diet go to pot as I am struggling to cope with two small children, and am never able to devote much thought or time to good food but I am so very scared of turning into a toothless hag, I don't know if there are any options left, annd I will never, ever find a husband now without teeth

OP posts:

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:06

i really hate teeth, you can get implants but they will cost lots

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:07

I'm a bit worried that even that would fail - it's not terribly straightforward, is it?
Do you have trouble with yours too Sea?

OP posts:

zippitippitoes · 26/04/2008 21:10

good stuff to strengthen gums and use alongside flossing is gengigel you can get it in tesco it is a rinse but really helps as strengthens gum tissue

floss twice a day

drink water

dont brush soon after food cut down acidic juice and fizzy dronks

eat something like cheese to counter acidic foods take vit c

and get another dentists opinion

fishie · 26/04/2008 21:10

you could get implants? anyway false teeth aren't such an awful thing, i know several people who have them and you wouldn't know, a friend has no front teeth at all and never wears her bottom set, nobody has ever noticed.

there may be many other reasons than poor diet for your tooth problem, all you can do is to be positive and help your children with good dental behaviour.

friendly · 26/04/2008 21:11

Oh poor you. I hate going to dentists and hygenists with a passion. I always find them very patronising. My teeth are ok but my gums are now receding a bit. Dentist said over agressive brushing but not gum disease, hygenist said gum disease. I do feel for you.

ComeOVeneer · 26/04/2008 21:11

Implants are pricey but generally very sucessful, if you are a suitable candidate. Also you could consider a bridge if that would be suitable. Does your dentist know the reason behind your dental problems? Unfortunately a lot of dentists don't have a good "bedside" manner.

zippitippitoes · 26/04/2008 21:13

i do feel for your anxiety

if i was in your position i would try and go for implants

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:14

i've had a abscess under the front crown too though and it was treated ok the crown is still there and my teeth aren't the strongest. i've had two abscesses in the past year and only one had to be taken out and it was wobbly to start with, are yours wobbly?

i don't really know much about implants really.

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:18

Thanks for being so sympathetic.

COV it was just the one at the hospital this morning, he isn't my usual one who I have to say is marvellously kind. He knows what happened, well he is a bit vague but he's still kind enough.
He has saved lots of them for me.

They are the bottom front ones, thankfully - lower left two I think and lower right one.
He said see your own dentist which I will do asap...I just hope the AB's kick in and sort it out.

I can't think why I'd be getting so much trouble now, suddenly - maybe breastfeeding has done in my reserves for fending off infection, etc - my nails are breaking too.

Does anyone know what to take to strengthen immunity or such?

That's reassuring about your friend, Fishie. I guess it's better than having some things wrong, I mean when I think of the people with cancer and all sorts of awful things, I feel very lucky. It could be a whole lot worse.

COV how would a bridge work? Do the surrounding teeth have to be strong?

Am seriously doing the lottery every week in case one day I could be considered for implants.

OP posts:

pigleto · 26/04/2008 21:19

It is worth getting a second opinion for something so serious. You might even meet a nice dentist.

MIL had the implants done in poland for half the price. She has been happy with them.

BiancaCastafiore · 26/04/2008 21:21

Poor you

I found a husband and I have no top front teeth after an accident
I have a plate and have had since I was 27. I hated it at first but have got used to it over time. Dh and the kids don't even notice in the mornings when I don't have it in anymore.

I have considered implants but they are costly and I have a badly damaged jaw bone after a bad break so no-one seems sure if I'd be suitable anyway.

Do get another opinion. I'm very lucky to have a fantastic dentist.

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:21

Sea, thanks for sharing - glad they saved your crown. I don't think they're wobbly which is good - gums are not too bad afaik.

I had another recent infection (I caught it with AB's when it was just starting) actually, that was also under a crown - maybe my body is rejecting them!

That time my own dentist said it might not be Ok, but luckily the AB's worked. See if he is getting despondent I might as well sign up for the nunnery now, innit.

OP posts:

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:25

Lol, Pigleto I actually rather fancy mine!!!

Bianca, that sounds very positive. I suppose it is something you get used to. People who have dreams about their teeth falling out, well it kind of really happened gradually over a few years. One at a time they just went wrong.
I don't like to think how many are original. I had great teeth when I was a kid - it's entirely self inflicted.

(how are you doing, Pigleto - are you back over here now?)

OP posts:

ComeOVeneer · 26/04/2008 21:25

Yes surounding teth have to be strong as the support the bridge and take the extra forces that would be put on the missing teeth.

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:28

my hygienist said she could go 4mm into my gums, not good. i neglected my gums.

my abcesss had caused me no end of trouble. it's given me sinusitus. comeoveneer is that normal or did my dentist not drain it enough. sorry for hijack

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:31

Hijack away Sea, you've been really helpful...I feel like at least MNers will speak to me if I lose my teeth. That is enough for me

OP posts:

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:33

COV I don't think I could rely on my others to take the strain.

Is there any chance implants might become cheaper/available on the NHS?

Thanks for all the advice

OP posts:

ComeOVeneer · 26/04/2008 21:37

I hate to say it, but not a chance on the nhs, they are cutting back all the time, not adding treatments.

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:42

i'm going to go private with my dentist. i just want my son's teeth sorted out, i don't want them to end up with loads of fillings and crowns like me.

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 21:44

Ah well, I will start saving...hopefully the price might start to fall one day, if they become more commonplace...[hopeful]

Thanks for your help, I know you're off duty

Good luck Sea x

OP posts:

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:54

you too mf, densitsry has cost me over £200 so far this year

ComeOVeneer · 26/04/2008 21:56

The trouble with implants is the cost of titanium.

southeastastra · 26/04/2008 21:59

what does the titanium do?

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 22:04

It is what the post thingy is made from I think. It's hypo allergenic or something isn't it?

OP posts:

Original poster

MatherFacker · 26/04/2008 22:05

Sea, I'm getting free treatment as baby is less than a year old...that makes it easier.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2