Any suggestions? Or maybe questions for me to ask my dentist?

[Icanthsfkjds]

I dont smoke. I dont skip brushing. More than 2 minutes to reach everywhere. I use fluoride. I floss. I cut soda drinks 10 years ago. Drink only water now. I limit my sweets. Where now I panic when I taste something sweet some times over thinking it. I only eat once a day. No snacking to limit anything touching my teeth. But I still get cavities/fillings frequently! Anytips?

I understand you cant do anything without an examination. But ideas? Or something to ask my dentist during the next cleaning. (Once I bring myself to schedule, that's posted elsewhere) It does feel like im on a time limit in there though.

Anyway I've been feeling at lost for the past years. I dont understand why I keep getting cavities. A new dentist I saw only once, and never again popped up in the office 2 years ago told me to do better at taking care of my teeth. But I dont know what im doing wrong. I thought I was doing a good job! Im not mute, but sometimes my question dont go verbal but instead are in the back of my mind. So I wasnt able to speak up for myself. Which can be pretty hard.

A hygienist once brought up a few years ago that genetics could be it. But that feels like an easy excuse. Genetics in what way? Any suggestions, ideas, or tips would be appreciated thank you.

 

[Gordon]

If you're being entirely honest with your description of your diet then I'm pretty baffled, sorry.

When you say you only eat once a day, are you snacking on anything between times? Are you taking any regular medication?

Are we talking new cavities or refilling existing ones?

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Sorry I was too scared to check back until now.

Im not entirely sure. They just tell me i need a filling everytime I go in. Not much detail. Im pretty sure they're new as I got one now in between my front teeth that should be taken care of soon. I floss so I dont understand. But I had lots of deep fillings in my later teen years. A past dentist told me those large fillings were done unconventionally. But I was young then and honestly dont know what they did. I just remember being in there for multiple days and hours getting these fillings done as a late teen.

Anyway I stuck this routine. No eating/snacks at all. All day only water. My mouth does dry even with lots of water. My breath keeps not smelling great. I've tried the xylitol sprays but they dont last. My new dentist has tried the saliva test. He doesnt think I have a problem producing it. Anyway I dont take meds either and now seeing your response, I wonder if my dentist thinks Im lying. Probably why he doesnt care to move forward.

 

[Gordon]

In broad terms. Flossing does nothing to prevent decay. It's virtually all down to diet. Brushing has a fairly minimal effect, it's really the fluoride in the paste that does the work.

New decay in between your front teeth indicates you're drinking something fairly frequently that's either very acidic (think undiluted pure lemon juice) or else there's enough carbohydrate in it to cause a problem.

How about keeping an (absolutely honest) diet sheet for a few days (i.e. record everything you put in your mouth) it might turn something up?

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Ok Ill do that. Thank you.

It's probably carbohydrate like pasta, bread, beans, since they're cheap for me to save money. That's also how I grew up eating too.

I dont drink anything other than water. On rare cases for cooking, when there is leftover in the fridge. Ill drink the rest of the milk, but through a straw since im paranoid of it directly touching the teeth. So im leaning toward the carbohydrates

Should the diet sheet be directly to the dentist once I make the appointment?

 

[Gordon]

Should the diet sheet be directly to the dentist once I make the appointment?

Take it with you so you can go over it together.

Again, decay is related to the frequency of the carb intake, not really the amount. So noting times of eating/drinking would be quite helpful.

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

I finally made an appointment. My "cavity" is now considered a "watch" in their database. I dont quite understand why.

Another question is popping up in the meantime. Im going to have to go make another appointment.

Anyway I was given a nightguard for my bottom teeth. I complained about it not feeling right on my front teeth. It felt tight, but I was already in there past my time, so they rushed me out. Unfortunately my night guard cut into my gums. They tingle and tickle often, and are technically attached but hanging a bit. This is my front teeth area.

[The question:]
I know gums cant grow back. But can they reattach like skin does on a cut? Or is this permanent now?

Now I got to go back because of that. Plus now my front teeth smack into each other when I talk or laugh. It's annoying and a little painful.

I did what you said about the diet, but I didnt receive much feedback unfortunately. The dentist said good job, keep doing that. Then went to the next patient.

Anyway thank you for those responses. Feels like a million things right now. So sorry about the overwhelming post information

 

[Gordon]

I know gums cant grow back. But can they reattach like skin does on a cut? Or is this permanent now?

Not really, once they're gone that's it.

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Thank you. Yea thats seems to be the case unfortunately it feels weird.


I thought I was done with the questions. Hopefully not a bother. 3 popped up. Question number 2 ill ask more thoroughly on my follow up.

Free of charge they got me an uppper nightguard. There isnt a clear evidence of night grinding, and I cant answer sleep questions. But what's clear is I sometimes I smack my mouth at work. I was told to wear the guard at work too. Since its random (told me likely jaw spasms), wear it pretty much all day. Should I be concerned to keep it in all the time? I dont really work in a clean enviroment. The only thing I can think of is bacteria. And it wont be long after I wake from night. I was told ill be fine as long as I clean it every day. But my anxious mind wonders if that's okay.

When brushing you rinse by spiting but not water. Because of the fluoride if I understood correctly. Do you eventually need to rinse with water after an hour or so Or should you just keep it in like that?

I know this last one is probably a dumb question. I noticed this office when cleaning they always use a handheld automatic thing ( picture like Dremel) on everyone to save time. While I remember in the past dentist visits just a metal utensil that feels like a little scrape. Should I be concerned on losing enamel with during this process. Obviously I should trust the hygienist as the persons was trained for this, but working with equipment similar looking at my current job. It makes me wonder at times.

Thank you again and sorry if Im doing it a bit too much.

 

[Gordon]

Free of charge they got me an uppper nightguard. There isnt a clear evidence of night grinding, and I cant answer sleep questions. But what's clear is I sometimes I smack my mouth at work. I was told to wear the guard at work too. Since its random (told me likely jaw spasms), wear it pretty much all day. Should I be concerned to keep it in all the time? I dont really work in a clean enviroment. The only thing I can think of is bacteria. And it wont be long after I wake from night. I was told ill be fine as long as I clean it every day. But my anxious mind wonders if that's okay.

It's fine if you clean it regularly. You could soak it in some dilute bleach (cold water, 1 cap of bleach to 1 cup of water) about once a week for 15-20 minutes, which will sterilise it. Remember to rinse it off well before putting it back in!!!

You can use Milton fluid (like for a baby's bottle) if you don't fancy using bleach, but it's more expensive and not any better.

When brushing you rinse by spiting but not water. Because of the fluoride if I understood correctly. Do you eventually need to rinse with water after an hour or so Or should you just keep it in like that?

No, just spit and leave it at that.

I know this last one is probably a dumb question. I noticed this office when cleaning they always use a handheld automatic thing ( picture like Dremel) on everyone to save time. While I remember in the past dentist visits just a metal utensil that feels like a little scrape. Should I be concerned on losing enamel with during this process. Obviously I should trust the hygienist as the persons was trained for this, but working with equipment similar looking at my current job. It makes me wonder at times.

The automatic thing works much better at removing tartar and plaque, it doesn't do any harm at all to your enamel.