Damn my damn teeth

[ShadowBall]

Went to get my teeth cleaned today and ended up needing some X-rays and all that since I hadn't had any in a few years. This whole time I thought I was doing better with flossing and all manner of oral hygiene and I could walk off with a clean bill of health.

I wish. Found out I have two small cavities - honestly, I could not even see what my dentist was pointing at on my X-ray because it was so small. And not only that, but I found that six of my other teeth are on the verge of developing cavities. As in if I don't floss better, I will have six more cavities by the end of the year.

Goddammit. And I found I need to get my wisdom teeth out in August too...even though they aren't even bothering me at all. I tell ya, some days it's not worth it to have teeth. I know it could be worse and those cavities are in the back, but motherfucker - SIX more? That means unless I floss religiously for the rest of my life, I could have eight cavities to fill in the span of this year.

I have no issue with flossing at all...it's just I thought I was doing it right. My dentist showed me how to slide the floss into the gums without cutting them and I was doing that. Not good enough, I guess. Le sigh. At least my teeth don't look rotten yet.

The worst part is I may need to give up coffee since the way I make it is so sugary. I would give up chocolate and cookies and all other junk food, but I love coffee too much. That pisses me off the most, I think.

[ArcticChicken]

I use Splenda in my coffee because of how sweet I like it. Splenda is the only artificial sweetener I like, I'm usually really sensitive to chemicals in my food, but Splenda tastes almost exactly like sugar to me. And I'm pretty sure the difference I taste is actually in my sugar, we keep a vanilla bean in it.

[AriGriffin]

2005- Wisdom teeth removed, All molars filled.
2008- Tooth 18 (Lower left 2nd molar) abcessed, removed, teeth cleaned
2010-2011- Tooth 19 (Lower left 1st molar) abcessed, removed. Tooth 20 (Lower left 2nd Bicuspid) temporary filling, Tooth 20 permanent filling (yesterday). Teeth cleaned (Feb 14th).

The dentist that filled my molars said to brush, floss, and use mouthwash as soon as possible after eating. I keep a mini travel dental kit in my purse.

[Cazzi]

The worst part is I may need to give up coffee since the way I make it is so sugary. I would give up chocolate and cookies and all other junk food, but I love coffee too much. That pisses me off the most, I think.

According to my dentist, its sugary drinks that do cause far more problems than food.

I second the Splenda, its the most sugar like sweetener I've found & I'm another that can't stand the chemical-factory like taste of most sweeteners... which is fun on a low cal diet

And maybe keep some sugar free gum on hand for in between bushings?

[ShadowBall]

That's what mine told me too...coffee, pop, sports drinks and such all have sugar and will cause cavities as well as worsen existing ones. The ones I need to get fixed - with cavities that I can't eve goddamn see - are 13 and 20. Same kind of tooth and in the same spot - left side, fourth one from the back, one on top and one on the bottom.

I'm thankful they aren't in the front because I neither want a giant black filling in a front tooth and I know those ones are more nervy than the back teeth, but I don't even know where the six potential dental moneymakers are. In any case, I may just take my toothbrush to work with me and brush after having a sugary coffee. Today I drank coffee with the tiniest little sprinkle of sugar and mostly creamer (which had no sugar, surprisingly). Gah, I'm gonna need dentures by the time I'm 40.

[BlaqueKatt]

Goddammit. And I found I need to get my wisdom teeth out in August too...even though they aren't even bothering me at all.

no you don't, it's a money grab, and a totally unnecessary surgery, with all the risks of surgery and no benefits, according to the latest studies, especially if they aren't bothering you.

[HappyFun Ball]

I've learned that you can take good care of your teeth and still have a lot of problems from genetics.

I have to agree with BlaqueKatt on the wisdom teeth thing.. I fell for that scam 15 years ago.

[ShadowBall]

From what I can tell, my teeth look and feel fine. My one front tooth is and always has been a little sideways, but it doesn't bother me. And I've been told that if I haven't needed these fuckers out by now (I'm going to b 24 by the time I'm scheduled for my surgery), I probably won't need them out anyway. But my teeth feel fine, none are crooked. I can feel one of those wisdom teeth under my gums, but it's not painful, nor is it even visible. Looking at my mouth, you'd think I already had those bastards removed.

It's just those bloody cavities and possible ones that piss me off. I've brushed my teeth about six times today (after each of my three coffees, after lunch and after having some pop). And I have an open sore on my gumline now from it.

[Aethian]

Your brushing too much, probably brushing too hard too. I was recommended cloyses which is a neutral mouthwash for after harsh drinks or eating lunch.

[BookstoreEscapee]

My brother has never had a cavity; I have had several. We pretty much had the same brushing habits as kids...I'm just "lucky" I guess...

I have to go to the dentist next weekend. I am not looking forward to it.

I had to get my wisdom teeth out before I ever had any idea they were there (except for they showed on the x-rays). My orthodontist told me to get the bottom ones out and I could get rid of my retainer, and the oral surgeon said I should do the top also or I'd just be there again 6 months later. (Then again, I had to have 4 teeth removed before I could get my braces on just to make room for my teeth to move into place. They were extremely crowded.)

[ShadowBall]

I'm sure it does have something to do with genetics. My mom has had a lot of work done on her teeth over the years. She said she had three or four cavities by the time she was 16, and since then she's had more cavities, crowns, and root canals. Every time she goes to the dentist, despite her best efforts to keep her teeth in good shape, a new cavity will be found.

And I had no idea mouthwash could help with cavities - I honestly just thought it was to prevent gingivitis and bad breath.

I don't get it. When i was a kid, I was sooo lazy about brushing my teeth. I would brush begrudgingly maybe once a week. With toothpaste if I was lucky - often I just ran a damp toothbrush over them, and never flossed. Never had cavities or needed braces or any of that mess. I think the weirdest thing I experienced was a baby tooth I lost at age 13. Then when I started taking better care of my teeth, I get cavities. And when I was a kid, I ate a lot more junk and drank more pop, whereas now I hardly ever drink soda. Go figure.

[AnaKhouri]

It may not be your fault. For instance, I have a congenital condition where the enamel of my teeth is badly pitted and scarred. I have always, always taken excellent care of my teeth (dental hygiene was drummed into me because of my condition) and I still get cavities sometimes. Even the dentist says it is not my fault.

Also, brushing your teeth too much or too hard can be very bad for your gums. Strange but true!