I had plenty of cavities when I was a kid, but by the time I was 20, I had no problems with my teeth for the longest time. Once I had my daughter, it seems that I have had nothing but problems (and I had her 13 years ago!). I have needed 3 crowns and had 1 root canal about 7 years ago. Every time I am at the dentist, they say it doesn't look as if I've flossed, though I do. Just two months ago I had another root canal, and now I am starting to feel a similar pain in another tooth. What the heck? I am otherwise healthy, drink water all day, hardly ever eat acidic foods. The root canals have been because of nerve damage, not decay. Possibly caused by clenching at night. I brush regularly with a Sonicare, do a water pik, Act rinse, and floss. Plus I have a nightguard. I just don't understand what is going on. But it is getting really depressing to need so much dental work, not to mention the pain and discomfort in my teeth.
Have any of you had a bad run of dental problems and then been ok- at least for a while? Or am I doomed to need constant work. I am so sad about this. I get compliments on my smile, and I feel like an imposter- thinking 'wow, if they only knew'. Thanks ladies, hopefully someone can relate!
It sounds like you just have weak enamel, there's not a lot you can do about the issues, brushing and oral hygiene don't really effect that.
I have a lot of dental issues too so I feel for you.
I know it sucks, but some people just have bad teeth.
Have you ever heard of oil pulling? It's supposed to be great for oral health. I do it while I'm in the shower and getting ready for my day.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7857/why-you-should-start-...
*Don't use olive oil as it can stain your teeth.
My mom has had horrible dental problems in the past few years, bu oil pulling has really helped her!
I can relate, but my problems were mostly self-induced. I hate great teeth until I was a very young adult, when a certain drug habit became rampant in my life and destroyed the enamel on my teeth. Although I still took care of my teeth, I know have six crowns, and multiple fillings in ALL my teeth, including the front.
For the longest time, every time I went to the dentist I had more work and more work to be done...it's because I destroyed the enamel. My teeth will, most likely, continue to deteriorate until I get dentures. :(
The plus side is, like you, it's not immediately obvious when I smile...I look like I have nice teeth. Again, if they only knew.
However, for the last two years, my checkups have been good...so maybe I have plateaued and maybe you will do the same.
I am sorry you are going through this, especially having taken care of your teeth so well...but I do know how you feel.
I feel terrible for you -- especially because you do take good care of your teeth. You really are doing things right which only adds to the frustration, I can see.
Genetics may be part of this, and you can do nothing about your genetics. If you had parents with a lot of tooth issues (or even if they were OK, and your grandparents were just prone to these issues), there isn't a lot you can do. (not that you should give up your good routines!)
Have you talked with your dentist, preferably at at time when he or she is NOT about to give you a root canal, and explained your whole oral care routine and asked to discuss some reasons for the problems? Has your dentist actually explained the nerve damage and why it is there? Is there more that can be done to limit the effects of further nerve damage? Did the dentist just assume you're clenching at night and that's why you have a night guard? Have you ever been referred to any specialist dentists who might deal with nerve issues?
There may be no answers you want to hear - this may just be the way things are, and I'm sorry! But sometimes getting additional information, asking questions and delving into more details can at least give you a feeliing that you have taken some control -- information is power, and if the end result is that you can only keep on doing what you're doing and getting checked so that you get root canals when needed -- at least you will know that you took the extra effort to get all the data.
It IS depressing -- my mom had terrible teeth (a combination of genetics, growing up without fluoridated water, lacking calcium all her life and more) and she would get very low about it -- but she said she preferred to focus on the fact that she had a great family, our overall health was good, etc.
Hi K.,
I could have written your post almost word for word!! I had super teeth all through childhood and teenage years...not one cavity...and in my 20's, just a baby cavity here and there. Along came baby number 1 (3.5 years ago) and then baby number 2 (1.5 years ago) and my oral health took a huge dive...I had something like 9 cavities, and ended up with not 1, not 2 but 3 root canals. I just finished all the dental work about 2 months ago. Like you, I keep my teeth nice and clean...but genetics are at play and I just can't fight that! Just tonight, I felt like I might have one or two cavities. I bit in to something and then drank some cold water and had a ton of sensitivity. My husband (who has practically perfect teeth), said I must be insane if I think I actually have another cavity after all that dental work, but I think I do and I'm dreading going and finding out I have to shell out more money for this.
So yes, I can relate...just keep up the good oral hygiene. That's the best you can do.
Try Sensitive toothpastes and take a toothpaste and brush everywhere with you.
I wonder what changed since you had your daughter. Where you live, what you eat, what you do? Just seems interesting that since you had her, you've had more problems. Did you move and start seeing a new dentist? Do you ever get a 2nd opinion on some of these procedures? If you have a lot of nerve damage, what else might cause it other than clenching at night? Are you under more stress? Have you seen your GP about any possibility of other nerve problems?
All in all, it may just be the way things are and that's unfortunate for you. But I wouldn't feel like an imposter with a mouth full of fixes. I just got my DD's teeth fixed and many many people reassured me that she is not the first or last preschooler to have cavities.
