How come my teeth are so bad?

Question

I'm only 14 but my teeth are really bad. I went to the dentist all the time when I was little, but then we moved house and my mum never registered us with another dentist. I went a few weeks ago cos I got toothache and the dentist said my teeth are quite bad and I need lots of fillings. And the other day I had a REALLY bad toothache but I couldn't go to the dentist so I took lots of painkillers and now the tooth doesn't hurt, my mum says it's probably dead and I'll need to get it pulled out or get a root canal.

I don't eat that much sweets or chocolate though and I only drink diet soda. And I brush my teeth every day. So how come my teeth are so rotten? How can I stop from needing more fillings?

Answer 1

I empathise. This appened to me when I was the same age as you are now.

Don't worry. You can get past this and your teeth will be OK later on, but you MUST take the advice of your dentist.

I know it is horrible, but you have to go and have the fillings he recommends. After that, you need to brush your teeth properly twice a day. Ask your dentist to show you the right way to do this.

Try not to eat too many sweet things, and don't drink coke (sorry, but it is terribly bad for teeth!!)

You might want to try using dental floss (the peppermint flavoured one is nice)

Later on, if you want to have some cosmetic procedures done on your teeth, you can. That will make them look good.

But the onlky way is to go to a dentist regularly and take their advice.

Get it done and then you can relax and smile!!!

Answer 2

It could be that you don't have strong teeth even though you went to the dentist when you were younger. That time when you didn't see the dentist twice a year could have caused problems. Other things that can cause problems for your teeth besides eating sweets and not brushing are not flossing every day and not getting enough fluoride. If you are not getting enough fluoride to protect your teeth through your drinking water and toothpaste, try rinsing with a separate fluoride mouthwash every day. Also make sure you are flossing every day because just brushing/mouthwash won't get the food particles from between your teeth and you could end up with cavities that way.

Answer 3

You should probably start with you family Doctor to rule out any health reasons for your teeth going bad. Are the teeth properly spaced of crooked thereby doing damage to each other. If you have a Hyades hernia this will allow stomach contents to come into the mouth at night when you lay down and because they contain stomach acids will rapidly damage teeth. If you are practising good oral hygiene and flossing properly there should be no problem. Just start asking questions of your health care providers.

Answer 4

There are several reasons for this.

The basic reason is that you probably drink alot of bottled and prepackaged water. You need to drink tap water a bit too, but the government adds flouride to the water system. (I don't know why, but they do) Each city has their own flouridation system.

Stay away from the soda, because sodas contain acids. Especially Coca Cola, with the urban myth of soaking a piece of steak overnight and it being completely dissolved in the Coke. Although it's not true, people have proved that Sodas eventually eat up things, but not overnight. Basically your tooth enamel has been eaten away from the acids.

Genetics has also got to do with this especially when it comes to bacteria. Lots and lots of bacteria would thrive in your mouth. The bacteria eventually turns into plaque.
There are ways to stop this.
Brush regularly (at least twice a day)
and Floss once a day.
Using mouthwash is usually optional, but for someone like you might need it once in the morning, since sleep time is the time that bacteria would thrive the most.

Answer 5

It has to do with old British sailors using limes to combat scurvy, although they didn't get scurvy they did have eroded and stained teeth as a result of the limes. This is also why Americans refer to the British as "limeys". Incidentally British drinking water DOES have flouride in it but some people view this (quite rightly) as illegal forced medication without concent and use bottled water instead. Then of course there's the fact that the "Hollywood smile" looks fake to us (frankly because it IS fake), adult teeth are not supposed to be white and if they are it indicates stripped enamel and consequently weak teeth. Dental treatment IS available on the NHS but is only free for people who posess and exemption certificate or who are under 16 or over 65. NHS dental fees are MUCH lower than private dental charges. The only hard part is finding a dentist who will take NHS patients.

Answer 6

If you can get an electric toothbrush, they are so much better than normal brushes. They aren't cheap though so you might have to ask your parents for the money. Always clean at least twice a day, and floss, try floss sticks instead of ordinary floss or tape. Use a fluoride toothpaste, and use Fluorigard as well.

Answer 7

Use a fluoridated toothpaste, brush at least twice a day, and floss. Your teeth might be naturally soft too. Some people's teeth aren't as strong as other peoples so it could be that.

Answer 8

Ask your dentist what you are doing wrong.

You may not be getting enough calcium or other vitamins and minerals and you should drink water instead of diet soda. If you do drink soda drink it quickly. Soda really corrodes teeth when you sip on it throughout the day. Also try brushing your teeth three times a day. (Once after each meal.)

Answer 9

Brush your teeth 2-4 times a day. Floss all the time. Always rinse. And don't eat too much junk food.

Answer 10

am male in my forty,s my home has been in a dentist nearly every month since ive been twelve,they run a test on me teeth and found out that my enamel never grew on my teeth when i was younger,hence ive had bridging,crowns,implants at 1000 a implant,all that ive got now is 5 own teeth,so i suggest having same test before u dont have any left.