Terrible news at dentist

[Little tiger]

@katk I know the feeling so well! I had a problem with my molar and my dentist was desperate to just extract it and gave it a very low chance of survival if I did a root canal - it was very doom and gloom and I had no idea what to do so I spent days (and nights!) worrying and wondering what was the right choice and wrong choice. In the end I found a different dentist which was closer to me and I got a much higher survival rate and it's been done - successful and not only that it was a lot more cheaper! So I always give the advice to check other dental places!
We all have different teeth but the best purchase I made was my water flosser and I can't be without it now!

@anonfemale best purchase I've made for my teeth! I'm not too good with floss as I've had it stuck between my teeth a few times so it's been great and made me better as I use it every day without fail!

 

[anonfemale]

@Little tiger It's one of the best things I have bought and so are the interdental brushes and electric toothbrush too. As I said in one of my posts, the dentist and the hygienist said the rest of my gums have improved since I started using all of those. My teeth are always fine. I haven't had any fillings or extractions since I was in my 20's. I'm 40 now and I have only ever had three extractions and three fillings since I became an adult. I just wish the bone loss could have been prevented from happening at all but it hasn't progressed in 6 years and hopefully it won't progress any more. I'm not good with string floss either. I can't hold it properly but I find everything else easy to use.

 

[Little tiger]

@anonfemale I'm about the same age but I've only just started improving my dental hygiene maybe about 6/7 years ago, I noticed when I first used an electric toothbrush how much smoother my teeth felt afterwards but the gum disease scared me but in a way it was a good thing as I improved my dental hygiene. Reading all that helps so I know hopefully my bone loss won't get any worse!

 

[anonfemale]

@littletiger I have only recently started improving my dental hygiene and my diet too. I also improved it after hearing that I have gum disease. I'm glad you feel better knowing that bone loss probably won't get worse. The dentist Gordon who is on the forum said it usually takes decades to get meaningful bone loss and that some people never lose any teeth because of it and that as long as people brush and floss every day and go to all of their appointments for cleanings with the dentist or hygienist, it can be prevented from getting worse. How many times a day do you brush and floss and do you use interdental brushes as well as a waterpik flosser?. You might not need to use interdental brushes as your gums have already improved. I brush and floss three times a day except if I dont have time to brush and floss in the afternoons some days such as if I go out somewhere or have to do something else. I like to brush and floss in the mornings, afternoons and nights as much as I can after every meal. I'm not sure whether to use something for my teeth and gums if I have to go out quickly or whether to just leave the food in my mouth. What do you do if you don't mind me asking?. I am going to ask the dentist what I should do too.

 

[Little tiger]

@anonfemale I brush my teeth twice a day and the waterpik flosser I use once a day though sometimes when I feel I have food stuck between my teeth I will quickly use it! When I'm a hurry I just quickly grab some water and do a fast rinse but it doesn't work so well as a waterpik but it's better than nothing. I guess even just having a quick drink of water is better than nothing - I will grab a dental gum as well time to time.

 

[anonfemale]

@littletiger That's really good. I will use my waterpik if I have food stuck in my mouth and maybe use the interdental brushes too if I am in a hurry. I have tried rinsing with water but it doesn't always get the food out of my mouth.

 

[katk]

Well I did it! I went to a 2nd dentist who put me so much more at ease. Yes I have bone loss but she reassured me my teeth won't just fall on. She did the deep deep clean on one side and I have to endure the other side next week. Step one of many completed... thanks for all your advice and reassurance everyone

 

[anonfemale]

@katk well done. I'm so happy for you. It's reassurring for us to know that we might not lose our teeth. Did the dentist tell you what percentage of bone loss you have?. Mine is 20 to 30 percent and it's moderate.

 

[katk]

@anonfemale no she didn't? And to be honest I didn't ask. She's give a time frame of sorts so thats helpful to me. The relief is immense, I hope I sleep better tonight!

 

[anonfemale]

@katk I'm glad the time frame is helpful and that you feel better. I hope you sleep well tonight too.

 

[katk]

@anonfemale thanks so much x

 

[Little tiger]

@katk That's fantastic, really good news! Well done you! Great to get to sleep with no more worries over it!
I didn't get told what percentage just it was a "very small amount" and no time frame or anything. Seems that the dentists that told me didn't seem too bothered about it!

 

[katk]

@Little tiger that's great that they aren't bothered!! Says a lot!

 

[anonfemale]

@littletiger @katk I had a bitewing x ray in May and that's when the dentist diagnosed my bone loss. I have had a panoramic x ray since then and haven't been told the results yet so I'm hoping nothing has changed. It's great that the dentist doesn't seem bothered about yours @Little tiger.