I need dental advice......?

Question

I have been reported to have 11 cavities.3 were removed.
Im now terrified of the dentists and I try to brush my teeth at least two times a day.But sometimes I just forget or push it off...
any advice?I really need help.

Answer 1

I was a dental assistant for a while and we had many patients like yourself. The only adive I can give you is to simply JUST DO IT. The more fillings you have the more weaker your teeth will become and that can lead to more fillings and possibly crowns. Worst case senario...you will need to end up getting a partial denture or even a full one.

Another hint...FLOSS. I can not stress this enough. Next time you brush....brush first and then floss so you can see how much gunk you missed by just brushing alone. After that I would reccommend you floss first, then brush, then rinse.

Just always keep in mind the money, time and pain you will suffer if you do not take care of your teeth. And never forget that all it takes is 2 mintues, twice a day. ITS SO SIMPLE. Also, limit your candy and soda intake, that can also play a HUGE role. Whenever you eat sugar, the sugar will cause an acid on your attack that lasts at least 30 minutes!!!!

Sugar + Plague=ACID

This acid is what causes decay.

Be true to you teeth and they will not be false to you....lol

Email me for more advise....I have a lot of it.


For the pain, try asking for a stronger local ansthetic, or if your insurance will cover it, or if you can afford it....try some NO2 (nitrous oxide)

For the anxiety, ask the dentist for maybe something to take the edge off. Dental Phobia is a real thing, so don't be ashamed in asking for some meds to help you with this.

Answer 2

Why are you terrified of the dentist? If you had a bad experience with the three cavities they filled then find a more compassionate dentist. Look in the yellow pages for one the advertises that he caters to cowards. If they only filled three of the cavities and you have 11 you need to get the other ones filled before they become so deep that they have to pull those teeth because they can't fill them. As for brushing why not type a note and paste it to your mirror to remind you to brush. You could find a smiley face or a toothy graphic and make it a really splashy looking sign. Also if you are not using a battery operated toothbrush try one of those. You may even want to try a kids one that plays a tune or has a timer on it.

Answer 3

A twenty seven year old bridge has been a good one, but it may have seen its better days. Porcelain chipping off is a common problem, it happens even with the newer bridges. It leaves only two choices, repair or replace. The above responder is correct in the fact that a filling can be placed on this chipped porcelain area, although it will not “completely” hide the black marking of the underlying metal of the bridge that is showing through, nor will this bridge ever be as aesthetically pleasing as it once was but it will offer some coverage so it won't be as noticeable. This is a good option to “repair rather than a replace” though. I would also be hesitant to remove the bridge, if the teeth and bridge are sound and this chipped area isn’t going to present any problem, other than its appearance. The rough porcelain can be easily smoothed giving the patient time to consider their options or do nothing at all to the bridge. Some dentist would prefer to remove the bridge and re-make it; just to be sure the teeth under the bridge are sound, since we can’t see them through the metal of the bridge with an x ray. I can't think of any repair or dental work for that matter, that would cost 2 cents, don't even consider repairing the bridge to be "insane or crazy." Some of the "best dental work" to be found, is the "oldest" work seen today. Helen DDS has given the most appropriate answer to your question. So the options of “repair or replace” are up to the patient, if the bridge is sound. The appearance vs. the cost of replacement is usually the deciding factor for most patients. Additional information: Someone advised that the bridge be removed and replace with a removable partial, if finances are an issue. It probably wounldn't be practical to do that, the abutment teeth under the bridge in question would "require crowns," which can be expensive along with the added expense of a "removable partial." Depending on the type of partial selected, it may be "nearly as costly" to take that route not to mention "less acceptable" since it is removable. Having the fixed bridge is the closest thing to natural teeth, with the exception of implants.

Answer 4

Did you have a bad experience with this dentist? Did it hurt, or did he not stop when you told him it hurt? There are dentists who have lasers instead of drills and a lot of times you don't have to be numb. There are even dentists who can put you to sleep or give you gas to have work done! A good dentist or hygienist should have explained to you if the cavities were between your teeth or on the outer surface of your teeth. If they were between your teeth it is from not flossing. If they are at the gumline area, its from not brushing well/often enough. The most important thing about brushing is to take your time! Set a timer for 2 minutes and don't stop until you hit every surface of your teeth (outside, inside and chewing surface) make sure to brush at the gumline areas. Watch your sugar intake too!! (soda, gatorade, iced tea, candy etc!) You can be a great brusher, but if sugar is high, it won't help!

Answer 5

I have been so terrified of the dentist too, from having filling when i was younger it was hurting every time! I didn't go to dentist for like 8 years, recently on of my filling felt out i lived with the pain for months till one day i couldn't take it anymore! I went to the four different denstis before i found the right one (i just felt he was the right one when i was sitting at the chair) I was such a baby i cryed at the chair before dentist even touch me lol! I ended up having root canal, i go to dentist every week now, gettin all my cavities fixed(about 7 of them) and still need root canal! i started to brush 3 times a day and floss cuz my dentist told me most of my cavities are between the teeth! My dentist is great, he so nice, he know how to work with dental phobia patients, i am not even scared anymore i am actually looking forward to dentist visit now! So find a good dentist that's important, ask your friends, family i am sure somebody know the good one, that's how i found mine! Good luck and go ASAP before the cavities became too big and you ended up having root canals! Go to http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/ fo rmore info

Answer 6

I was the same way when i was little. I was just terrified. When i got the postcards saying i needed to go back i ripped them up and hide them from my mom. But when i got older i realized they do not want to hurt you or give you cavities on purpose. They are trying to help you to prevent further problems like teeth rotting away. But i do realize how scared you are because i was the same way. But just keep thinking to yourself whatever you think is worse.

Answer 7

BRUSHING IS A HABIT. IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING REPEATABLE FOR 3 WEEKS STRAIGHT WITHOUT STOPPING, THEN IT WILL BE A NATURAL THING TO DO.

SO JUST MAKE IT A HABIT TO ALWAYS BRUSH IN THE MORNING AND RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED. YOU MAY ALSO WRITE YOURSELF A NOTE THAT YOU READ EVERY NIGHT WHICH SAYS THAT YOU WILL BRUSH EVERY NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED TO REMIND YOURSELF.

Answer 8

What you have to do is get this kid stuff. this sounds weird i know but it makes you teeth blue and the only way you can get it off is by brushing your teeth.the proudut is called somethin burst.