Worrying about my teeth has taken over my life?

Question

I went to the dentist recently and he told me that my gums are inflamed but that all I need to do is brush and floss better and they will be fine. I had a cleaning and he took x-rays and everything and thats all that he said. My gums are kinda red, but they don't bleed. However, sometimes it feel like when I put alot of pressure on my teeth and then push them with my tongue it feels like they move, but the movement isn't visible when I look in the mirror. But when I put alot or pressure on them and I look in the mirror, it looks like they move verryy slightly but I cant even tell. Also, theres not really a space between my 2 front teeth but when I push them together I can feel them touch each other then move apart. Is this normal? Is it serious? Wouldn't the dentist have realized if my teeth were loose. Please help because i'm very paranoid and I cant even enjoy things or think about the future because i'm so scared about loosing my teeth

Answer 1

Firstly, I can emphasise with you completely about the worrying taking over so much. But let me try and reassure you about the matter at hand first... It really sounds to me like you don't have anything to worry about. Its sounds like your gums are a little inflamed and the tooth is only very slightly loose where the gums and teeth visibly meet (not that the teeth are decaying through the nerve and this is what risks extraction or loss of teeth). Especially if your teeth are in otherwise good health, i'm sure you have nothing to worry about!

To help the problem have a good hygiene routine including gentle flossing, brushing 2-3 times a day (but not too hard!!!), rinse with mouthwash. Make sure you brush your gums too, but again be gentle! Vitamin C, E and calcium tablets help promote strong teeth. Make that nothing is irritating your teeth such as gum shields, poor fitting braces or retainers. You could also try xybitol sugar-free sweets which promote healthy teeth. Use advice from this link (but don't think because you have one symptom that you have gum disease!) I do not think you have and upon examination neither does your dentist.

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000688/

The other piece of advice I can give you is to make sure you communicate and have a good relationship with your dentist. You need to be able to trust the opinion of your dentist. If you don't feel you can talk to your dentist about your anxiety and let him or her reassure you, get a recommendation for a good quality, sympathetic dentist who is gentle should you need treatment.

Regarding your anxiety towards such matters - I have personal experience of it myself and I know how it can take over your life. There is help out there, obviously medication is one option but one I choose not to take myself. You need to weigh up the pros and cons and decide whats right for you. There are other options such as counselling and learning about anxiety control techniques. Admitting your problem is the first step and do not be ashamed, you cannot help it! It does not make you mad or anything some ignorant people may suggest! You deserve a good quality of life, free of such worry (the worry is often worse than the worst eventuality!).

I wish you all the best!

Answer 2

It's probably pretty normal that your teeth move a little. They aren't set in stone, for pete's sake. They move on their own, even. I wouldn't push them around too much, though. You may be just irritating your gums even more. But it is worrying that you're so concerned about it, and while I don't know you or your situation, I wonder if you have considered that you might have an anxiety situation? I was recently diagnosed with anxiety disorder & panic attacks and it really made things a lot clearer. It really isn't normal to let a little worry like this take over your life.

Answer 3

Possibly go back to your dentist and just tell him/her your concerns so they can re-assure you. Plus, you should make sure you aren't flossing TOO hard. Just make sure you get between the teeth. And I wouldn't push against your teeth too much or else you can make them a little loose, even though they do tighten back up pretty quickly. And a little bleeding is normal at first if your gums are inflamed. It should stop after your gums start getting used to the flossing...
And ask about your perio measurements if they were normal... normal range is anything up to 3mm pockets (the space between your tooth and gums), anything deeper could cause your teeth to be a little loose and flossing would help tighten the pockets up. Just ask your dentist and I am sure they would help re-assure you. :)

Answer 4

I sort of had that same thing and refused to go see a dentist because I was scared of dentists and losing my teeth. Until one day one of my teeth hurt so bad that I took alot of pain medicine and spent alot of time in bed sleeping due to the pills I took. My hubby made an appointment for me and they cleaned my teeth really good. They gave me meds so it wouldn't hurt and really cleaned them. Now the bleeding is gone and I brush all the time now. I realy go nutz doing it because it doens't hurt any more. The more my teeth are clean the better my mouth feels and the more I want to do it. Good luck to you. Let me know how it goes.

Answer 5

I have had thoughts like that too. If your gums don't bleed, everything is o.k. Everyone can move their teeth a little. Bleeding is the main sign of problems and you don't have that. Even if you have a little bleeding, just keep flossing good and it probably will go away.

Answer 6

i have the same problem with a couple of my teeth and i dont let it bother me at all i just live day by day and go on with life and eat and eat and kiss and kiss

Answer 7

I suggest a psychiatric evaluation.