Upset after my appointment at the dentists yesterday. I have a bit of bone loss.

[anonfemale]

I had the panoramic x ray today. It was very quick and the lady who did it said the results should be in tomorrow but I'm not sure when the dentist will want to see me yet.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon I have started brushing and flossing in the afternoons aswell as in the mornings and at night. Sometimes I skip brushing and flossing at night if I am too tired or if I am unwell. Is it ok to only brush and floss in the mornings and afternoons sometimes and skip brushing at night as I will have still brushed and floss twice in the day?

 

[Gordon]

Yes it's fine. Really, flossing once a day is perfectly OK, you don't need to do it so often.

 

[anonfemale]

I heard that people need to brush and floss at the same time because toothbrushes dont get all of the plaque off if you use them on their own. I'm not sure if that's right though. Also I'm not sure if I should chew sugar free gum on the days when I might not have time to brush and floss in the afternoons such as when I go out. I'm worried about gum causing problems with the jaw though.

 

[Gordon]

I heard that people need to brush and floss at the same time because toothbrushes dont get all of the plaque off if you use them on their own.

Not necessarily every time you clean your teeth, flossing once a day is perfectly OK.

Also I'm not sure if I should chew sugar free gum on the days when I might not have time to brush and floss in the afternoons such as when I go out. I'm worried about gum causing problems with the jaw though.

Sugar free gum has zero effect on gum health. Which is what you're worried about. If you like chewing it then fine, but don't feel you need to do it for any kind of gum health.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon Thank you. I understand about the flossing now.

I don't usually get tooth decay but should I chew gum to prevent it anyway?.

 

[Gordon]

Do you enjoy chewing the gum? If yes, carry on. If not, then don't.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon I don't really enjoy chewing the gum so I don't think I will have it.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon I have been getting pain that has been coming and going for a couple of days and sometimes it feels like it's near my tooth and jaw and other times it feels like it's near my ear. Do I need to contact my dentist or my doctor?. I have been taking paracetamol too.

 

[Gordon]

If your doctor is anything like mine, you'll get into the dentist a lot quicker! Apart from that, sorry, I don't know.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon What should I do if I need to go out somewhere quickly and I dont have time to use all three of the interdental brushes, waterpik and electric toothbrush?. Should I just use the interdental brushes and waterpik or just one of them?. I try rinsing with water but it doesn't always get all of the food out of my mouth.

 

[Gordon]

Just the toothbrush is fine.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon Thank you. Would I need to wait for 30 minutes after I have eaten in the afternoon before I use the toothbrush like I usually wait for 30 minutes after I gave 3aten my breakfast in the morning?.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon Sorry I meant to put after I have eaten my breakfast. I made some spelling mistakes. Also, my brother saw a dentist recently and he was told that he has receding gums. Should I recommend the interdental brushes, waterpik and an electric toothbrush to my brother or should we just see if his dentist recommends those to him?. I received a text message this morning saying that my next routine dental appointment is due. I still haven't had the results of the panoramic x ray I had done a while ago yet so I will see if the dentist tells me the results. Do you think the dentist would have contacted me before now if there was anything to worry about on the x ray?

 

[Gordon]

Would I need to wait for 30 minutes after I have eaten in the afternoon before I use the toothbrush

In an ideal world yes, but if you don't have the time to wait then it's OK occasionally.

Should I recommend the interdental brushes, waterpik and an electric toothbrush to my brother

Sure, he might as well get started sooner than later.

Do you think the dentist would have contacted me before now if there was anything to worry about on the x ray?

Yes most likely.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon Thank you. Would it be ok to just use the interdental brushes and the waterpik if I had to go out sooner and couldn't wait for 30 minutes?

I will recommend the interdental brushes, the waterpik and the electric toothbrush to my brother.

I'm glad to hear that there might not be anything to worry about on the x ray. I'm hoping that my gums have still improved and that the bone loss hasn't progressed. I have still been getting pain sometimes so I will mention that to the dentist.

 

[anonfemale]

The next appointment is in December. I just made an appointment with the receptionist. I could have seen a different dentist sooner but I would like to see the same dentist and she is only back working at the surgery in December.

 

[Gordon]

Would it be ok to just use the interdental brushes and the waterpik if I had to go out sooner and couldn't wait for 30 minutes?

Sure.

 

[anonfemale]

@Gordon Thank you. That is helpful. Also, I received a text message from the dental surgery yesterday saying that my routine appointment was due. When I called the surgery, the receptionist said it wasn't due until december. I have an appointment booked with the same dentist I saw last time in december but I'm not sure if I need to be seen sooner to discuss the results of the panoramic x ray that I had a couple of months ago and to let a dentist know about the pain I have been having. I usually just like seeing the same dentist though. The dentist hasn't told me the results of my x ray yet. I also might need a new prescription for the toothpaste and mouthwash they prescribed because I have nearly run out of them. What do you think?

 

[Gordon]

I think you need to get this clarified with the dental practice, I'm afraid I don't have a clue what they're doing