Too many cavities

[Nance]

I was made to go to the dentist as a child and was scared back then. Almost all of my teeth have fillings, most from when I was a child. The drilling hurt back then and it has always scared me. Have gone to dentists on and off over the years. Moved recently and thought I should get them cleaned once. Went to dentist recommended by friends. Both hygenist and dentist looked and all seemed ok. He looked at the x-rays next morning and said I had 17 cavities, all under old fillings. Could not believe it so did just x-rays at another dentist and same 17 cavities. Dentist will only do 3 fillings at a time, on one side, upper or lower, not both. I wanted to do upper and lower on both sides at once to get it over with but he said it would hurt too much. So would be 6 appts. Plus extra for more top or bottom where he already did 3 there. Tried to tell him I would rather sit longer and less times. Do all on one side. Not an option. Is this common to have cavities under old fillings? Have never heard of it before. The Novacaine or what they use does not work for me and I feel every needle. I have been twice so far and both times felt drill so did extra Novacaine. I can feel my heart racing during this. So have 6 teeth done so far and I just panic thinking about going again. Have one other issue. When I was in highschool I supposedly had cavities in both my front teeth. Had to replace fillings once and need it again. They are getting rough around the edges and dirty looking. Last time it left two big holes in both front teeth, reaching almost to the middle of the teeth, next to each other. I assume the hole will be even bigger this time. Does the hole ever get so big they can't replace the fillings? What would they do instead? I cannot believe I need all this work. Is it normal to get 17 cavities all under old fillings? He said I shouldn't put it off too long because the cavities are getting bigger and deeper. Could part of the old fillings have worn away and that caused the cavities underneath? I need some moral support. I don't have anybody to take me but this dentist doesn't give you anything to relax you. Until this time I haven't had cavities for quite awhile and have always had x-rays done so why wouldn't some of them have showed before. I really do need some moral support. Just doing 3 teeth takes an hour. Ugh!!

 

[Krael]

Sure, if you don't take care of your teeth. I've had fillings wear away because what's under them is falling apart, thus the filling falls apart. I mean, if you don't floss, the junk between your teeth is going to get down in there (I assume) and cause cavities in your teeth. Infection will spread and cause toothaches. Once it's there, you can't just brush your teeth and they go away, the cavity has to be addressed.

The same goes for crowns. Having a crown does not mean you don't have to brush your teeth. The teeth under the crown can still get cavities and wear away to a point where the crown comes out. How? I assume the same reasons. You don't brush and you most importantly don't floss the crowns. It will get into the gums and to the root of the teeth. Then all hell breaks loose.

Don't stress it though. Just get it fixed. It's not like all your teeth will fall out tomorrow. It does take time. I had many cavities when I was in my teens. I got crowns in most cases, no root canals. Now I'm older, still not taking good care, and most of mine are needing root canals.

Shop around for some other dentist if you can. If you got the cash, I don't see why you couldn't get them all addressed in one week after the other till all done. But try to do it quickly if you can. The sooner the better before you need root canals, or tooth lengthening or worse, extractions.

 

[littlecassie631]

Hey!

I can't speak to old fillings, but I can speak to going to the dentist and finding out you have a lot of cavities. I went to the dentist for the first time in 5 years because A) I was terrified B) I went away to school for 5 years and 3) One of wisdom teeth was very difficult to clean and was falling apart.

I found out that along with getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth out that I had 15 cavities. This had a lot to do with the fact that I have a very dry mouth which meant saliva wasn't doing its job and protecting my teeth.

This was at the end of April. Since then, I've had my wisdom teeth out and 10 cavities filled. I had to take a break after wisdom teeth surgery which is why they aren't finished. It does take a long time to do fillings which are why they need to be broken up into different appointments instead of all at once. For example, the longest appointment I've had so far was 2 hours to do my front upper teeth cavities (4 of them). I felt no pain after freezing, but I did get very restless and sleepy in that time. My jaw was also achy from being open so long. So, since then my appointments have been even shorter because I know my limit to how long I can sit in a chair without getting antsy.

I have 2 appointments until my mouth is good to go for the time being I'm very excited, there were dental aches and pains I had become so accustomed to that I didn't realize I was feeling them until they were gone. I have also been very fortunate to have an amazing and understanding dentist

Now that I think of it, she did also in my first appointment check my fillings and she said they were holding up very well. So maybe what is happening to you isn't abnormal and just something to be watched which is good for me to know after all these fillings!

I wish you all the best in your dental journey!