TrueEnglishGent
Junior member
- Joined
- May 11, 2011
- Messages
- 16
- Location
- Dudley, United Kingdom
Hello,
First let me quickly introduce myself, I'm Joseph and I'm 22 years old. I've suffered with rheumatoid arthritis since I can remember (though called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a child) and there is a reason I mention this. My health history is long, so I apologise in advance if this post goes on a bit or I ramble, I'm looking for help and advice from those who might have suffered the same issues.
So next Tuesday I have an appointment to see a new dentist, I'm scared and worried though for different reasons. I've had dental problems for many years, which mixed with all the problems that occur when growing up with arthritis causes even more problems. A few years back I was having dental treatment, which saw me fitted with a brace (which I had on for two years), a few fillings and an operation to remove a tooth that was stuck inside the gum. Unfortunately I was never happy with the dentist, who spent as much time chatting up the assistant then explaining things to me or calming my worries. I should note that I've had spells of depression growing up, due to chronic pain and a total lack of self-confidence. My arthritis as always come before anything else in my life, I've struggled to just survive with it so any dental issues have always been put towards the back.
That said I don't smile, I have two cavities on the right set of my teeth (one towards the back and one further at the entrance) and my teeth are discoloured due to a love of fizzy pop as a kid and teenager, and medical treatment I've received and medication I still take. Now comes to an important part, despite cutting heavily back on soda consumption and looking after my teeth considerably better (I use a hard toothbrush as advised by the previously mentioned dentist, though I'm not sure that's for the best) I still suffer from enamel problems and recently it got bad. Now I had all sorts of problems when the braces were fitted, I was never happy with them and my dentist made a point of criticising me whenever possible concerning them. I found cleaning my teeth difficult with the braces but I always did my best. Trouble was, the braces starting scratching off the enamel of my teeth and these past few days some of that enamel as literally chipped off.
After my previous experience with a dentist, I'm worried. I'd love to be able to smile again, I find living with arthritis hard enough and worrying about my smile doesn't at all help. Having done some research it appears I might have tooth demineralisation and I'm concerned that these teeth are far past being saved. I can only hope that this dentist I see is kind and understanding, as my previous one appeared more interested in what the assistant was doing that night then my own teeth. I should note that I eventually put a full stop to that treatment, I'm always worried about embarrassment when seeing a dentist. So I haven't been brave enough to see one since.
If my teeth can be saved, I hope that my teeth can receive some whitening treatment or treatment to help restore the enamel. Been a long time since I've been able to smile properly.
So can teeth be saved at this point, and any advice on what I should ask the dentist?
Sorry for the post being so long.
First let me quickly introduce myself, I'm Joseph and I'm 22 years old. I've suffered with rheumatoid arthritis since I can remember (though called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a child) and there is a reason I mention this. My health history is long, so I apologise in advance if this post goes on a bit or I ramble, I'm looking for help and advice from those who might have suffered the same issues.
So next Tuesday I have an appointment to see a new dentist, I'm scared and worried though for different reasons. I've had dental problems for many years, which mixed with all the problems that occur when growing up with arthritis causes even more problems. A few years back I was having dental treatment, which saw me fitted with a brace (which I had on for two years), a few fillings and an operation to remove a tooth that was stuck inside the gum. Unfortunately I was never happy with the dentist, who spent as much time chatting up the assistant then explaining things to me or calming my worries. I should note that I've had spells of depression growing up, due to chronic pain and a total lack of self-confidence. My arthritis as always come before anything else in my life, I've struggled to just survive with it so any dental issues have always been put towards the back.
That said I don't smile, I have two cavities on the right set of my teeth (one towards the back and one further at the entrance) and my teeth are discoloured due to a love of fizzy pop as a kid and teenager, and medical treatment I've received and medication I still take. Now comes to an important part, despite cutting heavily back on soda consumption and looking after my teeth considerably better (I use a hard toothbrush as advised by the previously mentioned dentist, though I'm not sure that's for the best) I still suffer from enamel problems and recently it got bad. Now I had all sorts of problems when the braces were fitted, I was never happy with them and my dentist made a point of criticising me whenever possible concerning them. I found cleaning my teeth difficult with the braces but I always did my best. Trouble was, the braces starting scratching off the enamel of my teeth and these past few days some of that enamel as literally chipped off.
After my previous experience with a dentist, I'm worried. I'd love to be able to smile again, I find living with arthritis hard enough and worrying about my smile doesn't at all help. Having done some research it appears I might have tooth demineralisation and I'm concerned that these teeth are far past being saved. I can only hope that this dentist I see is kind and understanding, as my previous one appeared more interested in what the assistant was doing that night then my own teeth. I should note that I eventually put a full stop to that treatment, I'm always worried about embarrassment when seeing a dentist. So I haven't been brave enough to see one since.
If my teeth can be saved, I hope that my teeth can receive some whitening treatment or treatment to help restore the enamel. Been a long time since I've been able to smile properly.
So can teeth be saved at this point, and any advice on what I should ask the dentist?
Sorry for the post being so long.