I can't brush my teeth and I'm ruining them

[tinkerbell08]

I have a fear of brushing my teeth. I can't stand the noise it makes and since getting braces the problems intensified as the bristles now get caught in the braces and i can't stand it. The backs of my teeth are black now and today I lost half a tooth - i'm guessing it's dying. I am only a teenager and don't want to spend my life with false teeth - please help me!!

 

[mikey]

Hey,
For the noise I could suggest earplugs ( the obvious and smartass answer)

Have you triend electric toothbrushes as they dont make the same sound as manual.

I'm 17 and have very bad hygene so dont feel bad

Also I would reccomend getting the broken tooth checked out because it could be as simple as a little drilling now or it could turn into a extraction if not checked.

If your scared of the dentist in anyway you could ask for nitrous oxide/laughing gas for when you go if they offer it or get them to give you some pills to take before hand.

wow.....that was a whole bunch of rambling but I hope this helps

 

[Phantom]

I'm sorry to hear you're having so many problems brushing - I sympathise, because I know sometimes the nylon bristles put my teeth on edge with the feel and sound, and make me shudder but it's not to the extent you have fear. I honestly don't know exactly what to suggest. Could you perhaps start using a mouthwash - say, one with fluoride to help keep your teeth strong and perhaps an antibacterial one (something like Corsadyl in the UK at least, containing chlorhexidine)? That wouldn't be as thorough as brushing, but it would be a start. Could you perhaps use cotton buds/q tips to clean your teeth temporarily, or perhaps a piece of cotton or gauze wrapped around your finger? I know this isn't specifically covered in the section under Common Fears about brushing, but would any of the distraction techniques (such as closing your eyes, or perhaps wearing headphones and turning the music up so you can't hear) help?

Do you also have a fear of visiting the dentist as well? You have said you have braces, when were they fitted? I'd assume that if you are getting them adjusted regularly, then the orthodontist must be aware that you have some problems.

Congratulations, however, on posting here - it's the first step to trying to control this problem. Hopefully someone else here will have some more helpful advice, having dealt with the same fear - but you should be proud of yourself for having taken such a big step to come here and ask for advice.

It may be possible that the colouring on your teeth could be staining, and so the damage may look worse than it really is, so bear that in mind as well. And even if you have lost part of a tooth, that doesn't mean that it's not necessarily something that can be fixed. Often people fear that things are a lot worse than they really are, and can be pleasantly surprised at how little damage is done.

As I said - welcome to the site and I hope you can find the support you need.

 

[takingflight]

Hi tinkerbell and

You aren't alone in having this problem. For various reasons there are many people who have difficulty brushing their teeth. Although Mikey suggested ear plugs partly in jest, he may have something there. That or loud music in the background may alleviate the sound, if that's truly all that bothers you.

While there isn't a specific tip regarding the noise factor, there are some things listed here that may help you. https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/toothpaste-phobia/

It's probably best to get your teeth checked out so the minor problems don't turn into bigger ones. The darkness on your teeth may just be staining but the only way to find out is to see your dentist. Are you fearful of seeing the dentist? You didn't specifically say, so I assume you might be able to go with no problems. I'd be sure to mention it to him if you don't find anything else helpful in getting you to brush more. Maybe they can help to find an alternative brush, paste or rinse for you.

Best of luck. Please let us know how you are doing!

Pam

 

[scaredstiff]

Hello there tinkerbell. I always had a problem with brushing my teeth, but in my case the reason was gagging. However, what I used to do to try and alleviate that, might in fact be of help to you.

Yes, you have to try and take your mind off the actual brushing, off the sounds and the way to do this is to concentrate on other things. What I used to do was, though I started off brushing in the bathroom, over the sink, facing the mirror as I suppose most people do, once brush with toothpaste in my mouth, I used to then start walking around the house (holding towel in other hand in cash of dripping), glance at the tv, sit on my exercise bike, in fact just keep myself busy so mind taken off the actual brushing. Takingflight has already pointed you in the right direction with the link on phobias, and I do hope something works for you.

 

[vict4ia]

Are you afraid that brushing your teeth will cause some sort of damage or is it really mainly the noise and the stuck bristles that are bothering you?

I would recommend talking with your dentist about brushing techniques and alternatives that can help you to brush more effectively without getting the brush stuck. I also think that distracting yourself a little while you brush would be a good idea. I don't have any fear of brushing my teeth but I do find it a little boring so, like SS, I end up wandering around while I brush my teeth. If you need to be in front of a mirror while you brush, I think listening to music or something could be a great help.

The fact that you're willing to address this issue now while you're young is terrific! You should be proud of yourself for that. Many of us here, myself included, wish that we had faced our fears when we were your age rather than waiting for decades. I'm sure that you will have beautiful teeth and a fabulous smile for many years to come.

 

[tinkerbell08]

Thank you sooo much to everyone whos willing to share there tips and give me support. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me!
I went to a new dentist today as my old one wouldn't touch me as I would (unintentionally) hurt him
The chances are I will have to have a root canal (or something) next monday, but for now I have a temporary filling, which was hellish! i'm still numb from a jab and my poor sister has bruised hands!
I HAVE to start brushing my teeth twice a day minimum, which i have always known, it's just the sound and the bristles. I wish you didn't need to use a toothbrush to sort teeth out - I mean dentists don't clean your teeth with a toothbrush!!! no bristles there!
Tonight due to pain and numbness I am ashamed to say I haven't brushed my teeth. I did rinse with Listerine mouthwash though which i was proud of.
Until some other way of teethbrushing is invented I think I will definately try loud music combined with walking about, watching telly - hopefully this will help and I will go to my dentist every other week to get them back on the healthy road.

Many thanks again - I appreciate all the support you have given and please keep your fingers crossed for monday and my root canal.
Tinkerbell08

 

[Phantom]

Well done, you! What was the problem today - did you have any pain or was it simply fear/anxiety?

I know root canals have a terrible reputation but I've had one done before (and have another coming up soon) and it honestly didn't hurt at all This was within a week of having an abscess - and this can cause problems getting totally numb sometimes - but I had no pain at all. If you do have any discomfort at all, just tell your dentist, and they can make sure that you're completely numbed up before they continue. You don't say where you are - if you're that anxious, is it possible to have something to relax you such as Nitrous Oxide/ laughing gas? Another possibility is, if you don't like sounds in the dentists is to take a walkman or IPod?

Anyhow, well done, and I would perhaps try an electric brush - like I said, I'm not as icked out by bristles as you, but they certainly do put my teeth on edge much more with manual brushes than with electric ones. Good going with the Listerine too. I can't stand the really strong mouthwashes, they hurt my lips and tongue and mouth so badly, as does mint so I like to find alternatively flavoured ones when I can (or at the very least, very very mild ones).

 

[mikey]

You don't say where you are - if you're that anxious, is it possible to have something to relax you such as Nitrous Oxide/ laughing gas? Another possibility is, if you don't like sounds in the dentists is to take a walkman or IPod?

I use both for my visits gotta listen to my AC/DC while he's drilling and RC's are painless these days.