Why are my teeth so BAD? (gums, mouthwash, dentist, side) - Dental Health -Oral Care - City-Data Forum

BigDGeek · 07-10-2013, 02:40 PM

I brush. I floss. I use mouthwash. Daily.

I get my teeth cleaned 2x a year like clockwork.

Every time, there's a new problem. I've had 5 crowns and 2 root canals in the last 5 years and I've lost count of how many fillings I had done. Some were to replace old fillings, others were for new cavities.

As we speak I'm dealing a fistula on my gum from a root canal I had done 10 days ago (am on penicillin for it) and there is decay under the existing crown on that tooth, so my dentist has to cut the crown off to assess the decay before building the tooth up and putting a new crown on it.

So...my question is this. If I take care of my teeth so well that I am complimented by my dental hygienist and barely have any plaque on my teeth and no nasty red bleeding gums, why are my teeth still rotting out of my head?!?!?!?!?!?! (I don't chew ice/pencils/pens/anything else that could break my teeth, I don't dip, I don't eat hard candy or chew sugary gum.)

superk · 07-10-2013, 02:46 PM

Welcome to the club, I wish I had an answer. The only thing I've been able to get so far is that it may be hereditary, and that my mouth tends to be a bit drier than normal.

BigDGeek · 07-10-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superk

Welcome to the club, I wish I had an answer. The only thing I've been able to get so far is that it may be hereditary, and that my mouth tends to be a bit drier than normal.

All my dentist says is it's genetics, and my father does have awful teeth.

katie45 · 07-11-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superk

Welcome to the club, I wish I had an answer. The only thing I've been able to get so far is that it may be hereditary, and that my mouth tends to be a bit drier than normal.

I most certainly agree with you about bad teeth being inherited!

Ceece · 07-11-2013, 07:34 PM

How old are you?

My teeth were never great due to thin enamel and metal braces left on far too long but once I got into a regular routine as an adult I did ok with the occasional cavity or broken tooth requiring a crown. I have 5 crowns now. As I've aged the teeth edges are becoming thinner and it seems like every year I look in the mirror and see a corner chipped off here, an uneven edge there, and they are all being held together by bond-o now! But I haven't had a cavity in years.

BigDGeek · 07-12-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceece

How old are you?

My teeth were never great due to thin enamel and metal braces left on far too long but once I got into a regular routine as an adult I did ok with the occasional cavity or broken tooth requiring a crown. I have 5 crowns now. As I've aged the teeth edges are becoming thinner and it seems like every year I look in the mirror and see a corner chipped off here, an uneven edge there, and they are all being held together by bond-o now! But I haven't had a cavity in years.

I'm almost 38 (birthday's next week, oy vey).

I had braces as a child; they put them on when I had just turned 10 and they were taken off when I was 12...just in time for my wisdom teeth to start shifting my teeth around.

I never had any cavities as a child but when they took my braces off, they found several that had to be drilled and filled. It's been downhill since then. The years I spent in England didn't help either. Dentists in Poland, Germany, and France were fine but every single tooth that was touched by a British dentist has required a crown.

ebbe · 07-12-2013, 01:36 PM

It really can be genetics.

Have you considered using a periodontist for your cleanings? I would try that. And some people do get their teeth cleaned 3 or 4 times a year (according to my dentist).

Also, ask your dentist for a flouride rinse to see if that would help. An otc product you can find anywhere is ACT.

Padgett2 · 07-12-2013, 01:52 PM

You didn't form good teeth with strong enamel when you were young. that's about the main problem.

It could be genetic or just a poor diet or both. Too much candy, sweet drinks and not enough vegetables and calcium.

BigDGeek · 07-12-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebbe

It really can be genetics.

Have you considered using a periodontist for your cleanings? I would try that. And some people do get their teeth cleaned 3 or 4 times a year (according to my dentist).

Also, ask your dentist for a flouride rinse to see if that would help. An otc product you can find anywhere is ACT.

I didn't know periodontists even did cleanings, I thought they were the ones you went to when your teeth started to fall out.

My dad doesn't have teeth anymore, but still has gums....he's under the care of a periodontist. I don't think he even goes to a regular dentist anymore. No need...no teeth!

ebbe · 07-17-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I didn't know periodontists even did cleanings, I thought they were the ones you went to when your teeth started to fall out.

My dad doesn't have teeth anymore, but still has gums....he's under the care of a periodontist. I don't think he even goes to a regular dentist anymore. No need...no teeth!

Periodontists have their own hygenists too. They can do the really deep cleaning and it might be worth getting their opinion. Good luck to you! And look for that ACT over the counter. It does help fight cavities.

I forgot, floss every day and use a waterpik or interplak, one of those devices. They work great.
Now I have to go brush my teeth.