My teeth are in bad condition. They are very yellow. The enamel has been worn away . Although the top teeth are smooth, the bottom ones are jagged from acid erosion.
I had a brace as a teenager and this made my teeth perfect. Over time, the front top two have separated to create an enormous gap. I look like I'm missing a tooth.
Although I can't fix the gap, I have tried to whiten them with every toothpaste under the sun. Nothing works.
I'm so ashamed of them that I won't smile anymore
2007-01-05 08:24:08 · 10 answers · asked by kate_wizzbomb 2 in Health ➔ Dental
I am in no doubt what the yellowness has been caused by.....Acidic substances.
2007-01-06 01:49:20 · update #1
Something had to cause them to turn yellow. That just doesn't happen for no reason. Are you a smoker? A big coffee/tea drinker? Have you used drugs...especially meth? That will destroy your teeth. So will cocaine, opiates, etc. But meth is the worst.
Also, have you ever been bulimic? That will take the enamel off your teeth and ruin them.
If all your teeth are in bad shape and you don't have bone loss or gum disease, you may be able to get implants. But you need to see the dentist to go over treatment options.
2007-01-05 08:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The home bleaching kits you can get (look on ebay) are every bit as good as what the dentist will use and they only cost about £10 - £15. I used one and it was great.
As for the rest...it's the dentist I'm afraid and quite a lot of money. You might be lucky and get some of the work done NHS. There is an NHS dental phone line that will give you names of dentists that will take you as a NHS patient, but you may have to travel. I think they'll probably sort the gap out.
some people do naturally have yellow or even brown teeth. It's not always smoking or drinking or coffee, or using the wrong toothpast.
I do feel quite sorry for you actually. Sounds like you really need to sort this out to get some confidence back and to stop your life from being a complete misery. You can't spend the rest of your life not smiling or opening your mouth.
2007-01-05 08:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by mikey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There seems to be a lot of confusion.
First of all acid erosion is NOT caused by sugary foods, its caused by acidic foods which may not necessarily contain any sugar. Fruits and fruit juice, fizzy drinks, herbal tea, beer, even sparkling water causes erosion. Cutting down on sugar will not help.
Secondly the yellowing of your teeth has nothing to do with staining (if it really is due to erosion) and tooth whitening won't really help so definately don't waste your money on home whitening kits. The yellowing is due to the surface of your teeth (enamel) having been eroded away and more dentine showing through, which looks yellower. Unfortunately we can't grow teeth back so the only way to make them look better is to effectively cover them up.
No amount of brushing/whitening will help. In fact too much brushing causes tooth wear itself (abrasion) so use a soft brush and don't brush too vigorously.
Tooth wear cases are quite commonly treated nowdays and is nothing to be worried/ashamed about. Depending on your particular case you can have porcelain or composite veneers made among other options. These are like crowns but don't completely cover your teeth.
If you see a good dentist he can make them looking almost as good as new.
2007-01-06 11:06:55 · answer #3 · answered by bizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your dentist about some bonding to correct the gap and veneers to correct the jagged edges and discoloration.
You definitely don't want to get braces again if your enamel is compromised.
2007-01-05 08:35:30 · answer #4 · answered by April 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can actually buy the the lights that whiten from stores like Argos. To fix your teeth you need to go to a good dentist - depending if you qualify for NHS you may pay around £350.00 if you do - expect at least £2,000 if you don't and have to go private xxxx
2007-01-05 08:39:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have mentioned only enamel erosion and no gum disease. You may most likely need one of the options in veneers, crowns or implants. You may consult dentist and also your insurance how much they would cover. If you find the treatment expensive, immediately seek costing solution from Dental Care India Tour. I hope it helps.
2007-01-07 01:46:51 · answer #6 · answered by Mark Bush 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I enquired about this at my last dentist visit it depends what kind of treatment u get. If u get them bleached its £300 per set (upper and lower) so £600 for full bleaching. This lights your teeth ona verage 5-8 shades.
Theres another type with some kind of laser or ultraviolet light but i cant remember the details for that.
2007-01-05 08:31:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm, well, the yellowness is caused by either not using a good enough toothpaste or toothbrush and certain foods n drinks throughout the day. acid erosion is caused by very sugery drinks so ..cut down on the pop ? less sugar in teas n coffee maybe? i duno if u drink them, jsut sayin, also i have a double trian track brace now..and i no how hard it is to bloody brush them properly so tht might have been another cause for the yellowness...
xxx
2007-01-06 01:11:57 · answer #8 · answered by fergie 1 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's sad that you can't smile..see a good dentist.
2007-01-05 08:41:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only answer is a good dentist
2007-01-05 08:27:16 · answer #10 · answered by tizzy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋