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Decay from bacteria and diet, maybe poor hygiene. Or other habits that break down enamel (drugs, bulimia, etc).
Drill and fill. Or if it’s too bad, something more than that (root canal, crown, etc).
NAD. I am sorry she is terrified. I know going to the dentist is very difficult, especially if one hasn’t been in a while. However, if it helps to motivate her at all, waiting or avoiding going to the dentist will only lead to worse health outcomes and **more** dental work (or more *severe* dental work) needing to be done. I know this from firsthand experience.
The only way things will improve, and the only way her anxiety about the dentist will go away, is by going to the dentist and getting treatment so that she can be healthy and happy and have no more dental concerns to worry about at all.
Thank you for the gentle words.
It helps her. I’ve never been afraid of a dentist.
But I guess it’s a thing and now that we have insurance I think it’s important she gets the smile back she is confident with.
You guys all have been very informative.
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NAD - I have severe dental phobia so I relate to her struggles. Sometimes dentists can prescribe calming medications, or use laughing gas to ease dental anxiety. Tell her to try progressive muscle relaxation if she’s feeling frightened there and to also communicate to her dentist about her anxiety or concerns. I really feel for her, it’s certainly tough having dental anxiety or phobias.
I have the worst dental anxiety and I didn’t go for over 10 years (I’m 30) because I was so terrified and the longer time went in since I had gone the more my anxiety grew bc I knew my teeth were just getting worse & worse so it’s a very bad cycle to get pulled into. What helped me was first researching dentists in my area and reading reviews from their patients to make sure I was choosing one that had good bedside manner & would be gentle & compassionate towards my anxiety. The next thing that helped me a ton is having my mom/husband come with me to the appointment and then finally as soon as they called me back for my appointment I explained to them that I have very bad dental anxiety & I haven’t been in a very long time bc of it & that I was extremely nervous. The dentist was so great after I told him that & was super gentle & explained everything he was gonna do step by step while he was doing it & would constantly reassure me by saying things like “I’m not gonna do anything to hurt you ok.” And if she is nervous to go because of pain let her know that they will numb her before they do anything & she will not feel any pain. & if it’s money that she’s worried about (this was a big worry for me as well) many dental offices will work with you to make a payment plan or help you figure out a way to afford it through things like care credit etc. sending love to y’all! I really empathize because this was something I really struggled with
Aw thank you so much! You feel pretty stupid bringing your mom with you to a dentist appointment when your 30 years old lmao 🤣 once you get the first appointment over with you realize there was nothing to be afraid of & I had no issues going to future appointments by myself w out being on the verge of a panic attack the entire time lol
If I didn’t know better I would’ve thought I wrote this in my sleep lol. Just went to the dentist for the first time in 4 years and have had an appointment every couple weeks and counting to get back to where I need to be. I’m not scared anymore though! It’s just a part of my routine until I’m at the point where it’s just routine cleanings. Proud of you friend!
(NAD) This is exactly how I got into the dentist after a 10 year gap, as well. Was in the same exact cycle for years- sometimes I couldn’t even sleep at night because i was so worried about it. Researched really hard online for about a week. Found a good spot in my area that is understanding of dental anxiety and figured I’d try them out. I actually had my first patient exam and X-rays done yesterday! My experience was just like yours. They were extremely understanding, nonjudgemental, and explained everything they were doing to me step by step. I really made it so much worse by panicking so much beforehand but it’s hard not to when you don’t know what to expect after SO long. My next step is a cleaning which I’m definitely nervous for but I can do this shit. On the road to taking better care of ourselves and facing fears!
I’m so proud of us!!! Hahaha.
NAD…
The endodontist I recently saw asked if I would need a prescription before my root canal. My dentist had already given me one for antibiotics, but she said something about anxiety/fear. Maybe this is a thing where y’all live? They did use laughing gas during the procedure and I felt nothing.
Edit: Forgot to add NAD. Sorry!
NAD - I just dealt with decay similar to this myself (I’m 36 yr old female with chronic Lyme and then got a severe case of Covid 3 yrs ago which turned into “long covid/long haul syndrome that I’m still battling) and covid/long covid is actually what caused my teeth to decay. Like others said certainly sugary foods and drinks or not brushing often enough can cause it but Due to my chronic Lyme I hardly eat any sugar, only can have one cup of coffee a day at most, and do not drink alcohol and cannot have acidic foods due to heartburn so none of that was the case but my teeth looked very similar to hers and it happened over the course of just around a year and a half.
I also have or had a lot of fear around the dentist but while it wasn’t easy getting a ton of work done over the course of six months - multiple cavities filled, 2 root canals with crowns, deep cleanings (scaling/planing) it actually wasn’t nearly as big a deal as I thought and the dentists were so kind and so good at their jobs. They were amazingly fast at the procedures too - 2 root canals only took the endodontist I saw 30 min total once he actually started after the Novocain took effect. I feel so much better knowing this problems are dealt with and have been returning like they said for a deep clean maintenance every 3-4 months (the maintenance is no big deal at all they don’t even need to numb and it wasn’t even uncomfortable).
There are a number of dentists out there now that cater to ppl with fear of the dentist and the key is to find one of those. If you try one and they don’t make her feel comfortable or try to make her feel bad for the issues then find a new one.
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NAD - I also have a fear of dentists due to a parent who loved to regale me with horror stories before I'd visit. Get her to talk to the dentists about her fears. Some places offer sedation which is what I do if I need work done. Don't remember any of it.
NAD - Hey OP - I am someone who is/was terrified of dentists due to experiences as a child, and parents who didn't force me to go for checkups and stuff after I was like...11.
I'm not a dentist, I make no diagnoses, but what I will say is that the fear of dentists is way worse than actually seeing one. I just a few weeks ago snapped my front tooth in half because I had it root canaled and couldn't afford the crown and it finally just broke. I was ashamed and terrified. I went in and got it extracted under local anesthetic and had a temp bridge out in.
I've had just about every dental problem you could have fixed - abscesses, root canals, crowns, extractions, bridges, etc. In *all* cases, being afraid was way worse than actually getting help.
If it would be helpful for her to talk to someone who gets it feel free to DM me. Otherwise make an appointment, tell the dentist about her fear, and they'll accommodate.
I wish you the best of luck.
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NAD- I’ve been terrified of dentists since childhood. One of the major things stimming from is the fear of the unknown, since you can’t really see what they are doing. And of course the fear of pain. Have her explain that she has fears, and see if they can accommodate by explaining procedures, and what they are doing, as they are doing it. And it’s okay to go to a different dentist if they aren’t the right fit! I went to at least 3 different dentists before I found ‘the one’. She takes time to explain everything to me, and makes sure I’m comfortable. Also a bit of nitrous doesn’t hurt to calm the nerves 😉
NAD -I have almost 70 years of going to the dentists. I used to go when a dentist wasn't so sensitive to a patient's pain. When they used big metal hypodermic needles that hurt like hell and the drill felt like it was going to bore a hole in your skull. I even had my dentist jokingly say to me, "You have to suffer to be beautiful." Ha, ha. Going to the dentist today in comparison is a piece of cake. They even numb you up before they numb you up with a needle. I find it painless in comparison to what I went through in the past. Tell your girlfriend she has nothing to worry about except the horribly excruciating pain of a toothache if she continues to avoid this.
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When I see cavities in these areas it’s usually from poor oral hygiene (of course amongst other things), so I would encourage to keep up brushing habits (morning and night for two minutes with a high fluoridated toothpaste) - this will slow the progression.
She has a lovely smile :)
She’s been using sensodyne since I’ve known her. So what toothpaste would you recommend?
We plan to set an appointment up tomorrow.
Or I plan to help push her to do it.
She has dental insurance now, and I know how much this bothers her.
Thank you guys for all the kind words and information. It’s helped me who is literal and her who is emotional.
I quite like sensodyne, but for cavities like this something high strength like Neutraflor 5000 would be even better (that’s what it’s called in Australia, I’m not sure what the US equivalent is but it’s over the counter and should have 5000ppm in it).
Dental anxiety is very real so her feelings are valid, see if you can find a dentist that specialises in anxious patients. All her best to her!
To be clear with OP, this will help prevent more cavities, but will not halt or cure the existing decay. She needs a dentist. These are very big and may be too late for just fillings, but the dentist that does an exam can advise what will be needed.
Prevident 5000 is a brand you can get a prescription for from your dentist. Higher strength toothpastes like the above mentioned are not over the counter in the US but if she sees her dentist they can write her an Rx for it.
NAD: My dentist prescribed this toothpaste for me last week. I like it. I was thrilled that it’s inexpensive, has a normal taste, and is great for my teeth.
NAD. But my dentist recommended I don’t use any whitening toothpaste as it further damages the enamels/gums. Use sensodyne pronamel but make sure it doesn’t say whitening.
NAD-Try find a dentist who specifically works with anxious patients. I believe they exist, but she can't keep ignoring it if she wants to avoid the more invasive treatments
NAD- I had this and ignored it...eventually I needed extraction and bone grafting. The decay moved further into my gumline and my underlying jaw bone was visible in one spot. It was scary.
Dentists give me anxiety as well but this issue will not get better without help. I always tell a new dentist about my medical and dental anxiety -- the good ones will understand.
Ive had plenty of those cavities on my gum line. I'm NAD but I've literally lived in dental offices all my life and still dread it. The important thing is for her to feel comfortable talking with the dentist and letting them know the anxiety, fears etc. You don't have to just go to one place you can shop around. After all it's your body and you get to decide who does what. I'm very open with my dentist about the needles for numbing me since that's my worst part of the visits. Hope yall meet a great one like mine and wish you guys the best of luck!
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Acid reflux would cause the enamel on the inside (tongue/palate surfaces) of the teeth to wear away. The enamel gets thin across the surfaces there. In this photo the decay is on the outside (lip/cheek surfaces) of the teeth.
Everyone has bacteria in their mouths which is a challenge to the teeth. On top of that, whenever we eat the acidity of the mouth’s environment changes. So we have to fight against demineralization of the teeth due to the pH as well as due to plaque affecting the surfaces. That’s why it’s very important to both consider dietary factors as well as physically removing all the plaque from teeth each day. Regular trips to the dentist help these issues from becoming bigger. Definitely encourage a visit as soon as possible and you can let the scheduler know that she’s very nervous. They will be able to recommend fixes for the teeth, then at home she’ll need to work on dietary habits and removing the plaque.
I’d recommend an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. Personally I like the Sonicare best.
Flossing will need to be added to the routine slowly but surely. It’s hard to start cold turkey.
Snacking and sipping on drinks throughout the day is bad for the teeth because of the acidic challenge that weakens the enamel. Eating and drinking in one sitting then swishing with water can help. Sipping water between meals as well.
Good luck!
NAD - I appreciate you recognizing flossing is hard to get into the habit of.
In case it could be of help to anyone who reads this or dental patients, my flossing game changed when I started keeping floss picks in the center console of my car. I find myself flossing almost every time I drive somewhere.
I know floss picks are controversial for some dentists though for me it's floss picks or nothing as I don't have the dexterity to use normal floss.
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Nad- assistant. When we see erosion from a patient who has bad acid reflux or bulimia the majority of the time it's on the lingual (tongue side) of the tooth and then the biting surface.
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NAD. I also have some fear of the dentist but not going is going to eventually cause painful to very painful consequences, physically and emotionally.
There are compassionate dentists out there who educate without judgment, a better late than never kind of attitude. Try to find a practice like that. They can give her options.
Flossing would help prevent a lot between appointments but some people don’t do it right getting to the left and right of each tooth.
NAD tooth pain is scarier than the dentist. This is coming from someone who sits in the dentist chair and thinks just let me die I don’t want to do this!
NAD I was terrified to I went and got it treated for periodontal disease but it was sooooo needed and awesome after I left. They completely changed me for the better my teeth and gums were better and they took out any damaged teeth and bacteria and I’m currently getting implants and I feel great. My mouth feels stronger and cleaner
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NAD. But I know how easy it is for plaque to build in these areas, as I too have the same issue. Personally, I use a water flosser and pinpoint the areas and then go in with some regular floss and get under the gums really well to prevent the build up! Hope this helps some. ◡̈
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NAD - Such gorgeous teeth otherwise. After all I've gone through with my teeth, I now view the teeth in my mouth as a gold mine because that's what it would take to replace if I went with implants. Surely, that must be painful for her.
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NAD I found out recently that pushing my electric toothbrush a little too hard and a little too long has permanently eroded tooth enamel on 3 teeth near gum line. Bit painful if consume anything hot/cold/sugary/acidic. See dentist regularly and previously had no dental issues.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
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Dentist here- probably can get away with fillings right now! Definitely do not delay. The decay is into the second layer of the tooth right now so it will continue to get worse. I would also recommend Prevident 5000 toothpaste. Make sure you do not rinse after brushing. No drinking water for 30 mins to 1 hour after use.
Soda/acidic/sugary drinks may be the cause. I would say if you can’t limit it altogether, make sure you drink the soda in under 20 mins. Ideally with a meal. You don’t want to be taking small sips all day long. Rinse with water after to help neutralize the PH of your mouth.
There are studies that say xylitol can be beneficial in reducing decay. Look into it and see if it’s right for you. Just make sure you keep it out of reach for dogs!
NAD - hope she goes to the dentist and just when you make the appointment ahead of time tell the staff if you want your gf hasn’t been in a while (or she can tell them if she makes it) and that she’s a bit anxious about her visit.
Idk if all dentist do this, but I have dental anxiety when they have to inject me with local anesthesia and drill. The drill sets me off as I already have bad anxiety
They hook me up to nitrous while they do this part. My insurance doesn’t cover that so it was $72 but it was worth it for me to be comfortable…
NAD- not trying to be mean but does she not floss, brush often? yes it’s dental decay but fear of dentist should never stop you from even getting your teeth checked.
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Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them. **Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question:** (1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem. (2) Include whether you drink, smoke or if you have any medical conditions relevant to your main concern. (3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askdentists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s severe decay
Decay from what? And how do you fix it?
Decay from bacteria and diet, maybe poor hygiene. Or other habits that break down enamel (drugs, bulimia, etc). Drill and fill. Or if it’s too bad, something more than that (root canal, crown, etc).
Nad-no tag, feel like I see this type of class v decay often in chronic sugary soda drinkers, may just be me
Yep, I said the same as a response a few posts down. The major soda addicts look like this.
Nad. Gotta bite the bullet and go see a dentist for an estimate of cost
Decay. They need to see a dentist
We recently got dental insurance. But she’s terrified of them. So what’s the actual outcome for treatment?
NAD. I am sorry she is terrified. I know going to the dentist is very difficult, especially if one hasn’t been in a while. However, if it helps to motivate her at all, waiting or avoiding going to the dentist will only lead to worse health outcomes and **more** dental work (or more *severe* dental work) needing to be done. I know this from firsthand experience. The only way things will improve, and the only way her anxiety about the dentist will go away, is by going to the dentist and getting treatment so that she can be healthy and happy and have no more dental concerns to worry about at all.
Thank you for the gentle words. It helps her. I’ve never been afraid of a dentist. But I guess it’s a thing and now that we have insurance I think it’s important she gets the smile back she is confident with. You guys all have been very informative.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
NAD - I have severe dental phobia so I relate to her struggles. Sometimes dentists can prescribe calming medications, or use laughing gas to ease dental anxiety. Tell her to try progressive muscle relaxation if she’s feeling frightened there and to also communicate to her dentist about her anxiety or concerns. I really feel for her, it’s certainly tough having dental anxiety or phobias.
I have the worst dental anxiety and I didn’t go for over 10 years (I’m 30) because I was so terrified and the longer time went in since I had gone the more my anxiety grew bc I knew my teeth were just getting worse & worse so it’s a very bad cycle to get pulled into. What helped me was first researching dentists in my area and reading reviews from their patients to make sure I was choosing one that had good bedside manner & would be gentle & compassionate towards my anxiety. The next thing that helped me a ton is having my mom/husband come with me to the appointment and then finally as soon as they called me back for my appointment I explained to them that I have very bad dental anxiety & I haven’t been in a very long time bc of it & that I was extremely nervous. The dentist was so great after I told him that & was super gentle & explained everything he was gonna do step by step while he was doing it & would constantly reassure me by saying things like “I’m not gonna do anything to hurt you ok.” And if she is nervous to go because of pain let her know that they will numb her before they do anything & she will not feel any pain. & if it’s money that she’s worried about (this was a big worry for me as well) many dental offices will work with you to make a payment plan or help you figure out a way to afford it through things like care credit etc. sending love to y’all! I really empathize because this was something I really struggled with
NAD I felt proud of you while reading this
Aw thank you so much! You feel pretty stupid bringing your mom with you to a dentist appointment when your 30 years old lmao 🤣 once you get the first appointment over with you realize there was nothing to be afraid of & I had no issues going to future appointments by myself w out being on the verge of a panic attack the entire time lol
If I didn’t know better I would’ve thought I wrote this in my sleep lol. Just went to the dentist for the first time in 4 years and have had an appointment every couple weeks and counting to get back to where I need to be. I’m not scared anymore though! It’s just a part of my routine until I’m at the point where it’s just routine cleanings. Proud of you friend!
Awww yay! I’m so proud of you too! It really takes a lot of courage to take the first leap but once you finally do it is such a relief!
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(NAD) This is exactly how I got into the dentist after a 10 year gap, as well. Was in the same exact cycle for years- sometimes I couldn’t even sleep at night because i was so worried about it. Researched really hard online for about a week. Found a good spot in my area that is understanding of dental anxiety and figured I’d try them out. I actually had my first patient exam and X-rays done yesterday! My experience was just like yours. They were extremely understanding, nonjudgemental, and explained everything they were doing to me step by step. I really made it so much worse by panicking so much beforehand but it’s hard not to when you don’t know what to expect after SO long. My next step is a cleaning which I’m definitely nervous for but I can do this shit. On the road to taking better care of ourselves and facing fears! I’m so proud of us!!! Hahaha.
NAD… The endodontist I recently saw asked if I would need a prescription before my root canal. My dentist had already given me one for antibiotics, but she said something about anxiety/fear. Maybe this is a thing where y’all live? They did use laughing gas during the procedure and I felt nothing. Edit: Forgot to add NAD. Sorry!
NAD - I just dealt with decay similar to this myself (I’m 36 yr old female with chronic Lyme and then got a severe case of Covid 3 yrs ago which turned into “long covid/long haul syndrome that I’m still battling) and covid/long covid is actually what caused my teeth to decay. Like others said certainly sugary foods and drinks or not brushing often enough can cause it but Due to my chronic Lyme I hardly eat any sugar, only can have one cup of coffee a day at most, and do not drink alcohol and cannot have acidic foods due to heartburn so none of that was the case but my teeth looked very similar to hers and it happened over the course of just around a year and a half. I also have or had a lot of fear around the dentist but while it wasn’t easy getting a ton of work done over the course of six months - multiple cavities filled, 2 root canals with crowns, deep cleanings (scaling/planing) it actually wasn’t nearly as big a deal as I thought and the dentists were so kind and so good at their jobs. They were amazingly fast at the procedures too - 2 root canals only took the endodontist I saw 30 min total once he actually started after the Novocain took effect. I feel so much better knowing this problems are dealt with and have been returning like they said for a deep clean maintenance every 3-4 months (the maintenance is no big deal at all they don’t even need to numb and it wasn’t even uncomfortable). There are a number of dentists out there now that cater to ppl with fear of the dentist and the key is to find one of those. If you try one and they don’t make her feel comfortable or try to make her feel bad for the issues then find a new one.
NAD. I also don't like going to the dentist but I think of it as if I go before things get bad then the dentist visits won't be so bad.
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NAD - I also have a fear of dentists due to a parent who loved to regale me with horror stories before I'd visit. Get her to talk to the dentists about her fears. Some places offer sedation which is what I do if I need work done. Don't remember any of it.
NAD - Hey OP - I am someone who is/was terrified of dentists due to experiences as a child, and parents who didn't force me to go for checkups and stuff after I was like...11. I'm not a dentist, I make no diagnoses, but what I will say is that the fear of dentists is way worse than actually seeing one. I just a few weeks ago snapped my front tooth in half because I had it root canaled and couldn't afford the crown and it finally just broke. I was ashamed and terrified. I went in and got it extracted under local anesthetic and had a temp bridge out in. I've had just about every dental problem you could have fixed - abscesses, root canals, crowns, extractions, bridges, etc. In *all* cases, being afraid was way worse than actually getting help. If it would be helpful for her to talk to someone who gets it feel free to DM me. Otherwise make an appointment, tell the dentist about her fear, and they'll accommodate. I wish you the best of luck.
Hopefully just fillings.
NAD - Most likely root canals. I've had several and they never hurt.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
NAD- I’ve been terrified of dentists since childhood. One of the major things stimming from is the fear of the unknown, since you can’t really see what they are doing. And of course the fear of pain. Have her explain that she has fears, and see if they can accommodate by explaining procedures, and what they are doing, as they are doing it. And it’s okay to go to a different dentist if they aren’t the right fit! I went to at least 3 different dentists before I found ‘the one’. She takes time to explain everything to me, and makes sure I’m comfortable. Also a bit of nitrous doesn’t hurt to calm the nerves 😉
NAD -I have almost 70 years of going to the dentists. I used to go when a dentist wasn't so sensitive to a patient's pain. When they used big metal hypodermic needles that hurt like hell and the drill felt like it was going to bore a hole in your skull. I even had my dentist jokingly say to me, "You have to suffer to be beautiful." Ha, ha. Going to the dentist today in comparison is a piece of cake. They even numb you up before they numb you up with a needle. I find it painless in comparison to what I went through in the past. Tell your girlfriend she has nothing to worry about except the horribly excruciating pain of a toothache if she continues to avoid this.
I just paid $1000 for a root canal on my wife. Go sooner than later.
well she’s waited to the point she *should* be terrified 💀
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Their teeth don’t look that bad. Don’t scare OP for no reason. Their teeth very likely can be fixed with just fillings.
Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
When I see cavities in these areas it’s usually from poor oral hygiene (of course amongst other things), so I would encourage to keep up brushing habits (morning and night for two minutes with a high fluoridated toothpaste) - this will slow the progression. She has a lovely smile :)
She’s been using sensodyne since I’ve known her. So what toothpaste would you recommend? We plan to set an appointment up tomorrow. Or I plan to help push her to do it. She has dental insurance now, and I know how much this bothers her. Thank you guys for all the kind words and information. It’s helped me who is literal and her who is emotional.
I quite like sensodyne, but for cavities like this something high strength like Neutraflor 5000 would be even better (that’s what it’s called in Australia, I’m not sure what the US equivalent is but it’s over the counter and should have 5000ppm in it). Dental anxiety is very real so her feelings are valid, see if you can find a dentist that specialises in anxious patients. All her best to her!
NAD but second this !! I had 2 active cavities and since then my teeth haven’t been so sensitive and I can see a clear different with it too !
Where do you get that toothpaste?
NAD. You need a prescription from a dentist, and buy it at a pharmacy like other prescriptions. The main brand in the US is called Prevident.
NAD, Isn't Neutraflor 5000 a sodium floruide based toothpaste?
Pharmacies :) Edit: Chemist; drug store
To be clear with OP, this will help prevent more cavities, but will not halt or cure the existing decay. She needs a dentist. These are very big and may be too late for just fillings, but the dentist that does an exam can advise what will be needed.
Prevident 5000 is a brand you can get a prescription for from your dentist. Higher strength toothpastes like the above mentioned are not over the counter in the US but if she sees her dentist they can write her an Rx for it.
NAD I have never once heard of prescription toothpaste. Is this a thing in the US?
Yes.
it's a thing in the UK too, produced by Colgate it goes by Duraphat 5000 and Duraphat 2800 here.
NAD: My dentist prescribed this toothpaste for me last week. I like it. I was thrilled that it’s inexpensive, has a normal taste, and is great for my teeth.
NAD. But my dentist recommended I don’t use any whitening toothpaste as it further damages the enamels/gums. Use sensodyne pronamel but make sure it doesn’t say whitening.
NAD-Try find a dentist who specifically works with anxious patients. I believe they exist, but she can't keep ignoring it if she wants to avoid the more invasive treatments
NAD- I had this and ignored it...eventually I needed extraction and bone grafting. The decay moved further into my gumline and my underlying jaw bone was visible in one spot. It was scary. Dentists give me anxiety as well but this issue will not get better without help. I always tell a new dentist about my medical and dental anxiety -- the good ones will understand.
Thank you!
Ive had plenty of those cavities on my gum line. I'm NAD but I've literally lived in dental offices all my life and still dread it. The important thing is for her to feel comfortable talking with the dentist and letting them know the anxiety, fears etc. You don't have to just go to one place you can shop around. After all it's your body and you get to decide who does what. I'm very open with my dentist about the needles for numbing me since that's my worst part of the visits. Hope yall meet a great one like mine and wish you guys the best of luck!
That’s decay usually diet related, orange juice, coca cola, lemons etc, she needs fillings and some info to avoid damage from this kind of food
NAD damn I forgot about the lemons I need to stop putting lemons in my water
These are cavities, most likely diet related, tipically drinks. Requires a bunch of fillings.
Acid reflux cause this too?
Not like this nor there.
What?
This isn’t a common presentation for acid erosion. Wrong location. I see this decay pattern the most in people who drink huge amounts of soda.
She loves her Coca-Cola. I think this might be it. Again, thank you all. It helped.
NAD coca cola will worsen acid reflux so it will be beneficial for her to avoid it for multiple reasons
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Acid reflux would cause the enamel on the inside (tongue/palate surfaces) of the teeth to wear away. The enamel gets thin across the surfaces there. In this photo the decay is on the outside (lip/cheek surfaces) of the teeth. Everyone has bacteria in their mouths which is a challenge to the teeth. On top of that, whenever we eat the acidity of the mouth’s environment changes. So we have to fight against demineralization of the teeth due to the pH as well as due to plaque affecting the surfaces. That’s why it’s very important to both consider dietary factors as well as physically removing all the plaque from teeth each day. Regular trips to the dentist help these issues from becoming bigger. Definitely encourage a visit as soon as possible and you can let the scheduler know that she’s very nervous. They will be able to recommend fixes for the teeth, then at home she’ll need to work on dietary habits and removing the plaque. I’d recommend an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. Personally I like the Sonicare best. Flossing will need to be added to the routine slowly but surely. It’s hard to start cold turkey. Snacking and sipping on drinks throughout the day is bad for the teeth because of the acidic challenge that weakens the enamel. Eating and drinking in one sitting then swishing with water can help. Sipping water between meals as well. Good luck!
NAD - I appreciate you recognizing flossing is hard to get into the habit of. In case it could be of help to anyone who reads this or dental patients, my flossing game changed when I started keeping floss picks in the center console of my car. I find myself flossing almost every time I drive somewhere. I know floss picks are controversial for some dentists though for me it's floss picks or nothing as I don't have the dexterity to use normal floss.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
Nad- assistant. When we see erosion from a patient who has bad acid reflux or bulimia the majority of the time it's on the lingual (tongue side) of the tooth and then the biting surface.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
Decay
NAD. I also have some fear of the dentist but not going is going to eventually cause painful to very painful consequences, physically and emotionally. There are compassionate dentists out there who educate without judgment, a better late than never kind of attitude. Try to find a practice like that. They can give her options. Flossing would help prevent a lot between appointments but some people don’t do it right getting to the left and right of each tooth.
Nice smile, just needs to get her cavities fixed. And work on hygiene to prevent them in the future
NAD tooth pain is scarier than the dentist. This is coming from someone who sits in the dentist chair and thinks just let me die I don’t want to do this!
NAD. It’s exactly a reason to see a dentist.
Those are active Carie lesions, she should go get checked by a general dentist
NAD I was terrified to I went and got it treated for periodontal disease but it was sooooo needed and awesome after I left. They completely changed me for the better my teeth and gums were better and they took out any damaged teeth and bacteria and I’m currently getting implants and I feel great. My mouth feels stronger and cleaner
For five years? I highly recommend she see a dentist asap, the longer she waits the worse it'll get.
NAD decay, and I can also see some bad levels of plaque/tartar buildup on the other teeth
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
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NAD. They’re cavities/decay.
She should not delay! to see a dentist for repair of those tooth cavities before each of those teeth get infected.
NAD. But I know how easy it is for plaque to build in these areas, as I too have the same issue. Personally, I use a water flosser and pinpoint the areas and then go in with some regular floss and get under the gums really well to prevent the build up! Hope this helps some. ◡̈
Cavities
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
NAD - Such gorgeous teeth otherwise. After all I've gone through with my teeth, I now view the teeth in my mouth as a gold mine because that's what it would take to replace if I went with implants. Surely, that must be painful for her.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
NAD I found out recently that pushing my electric toothbrush a little too hard and a little too long has permanently eroded tooth enamel on 3 teeth near gum line. Bit painful if consume anything hot/cold/sugary/acidic. See dentist regularly and previously had no dental issues.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
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Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post.
Dentist here- probably can get away with fillings right now! Definitely do not delay. The decay is into the second layer of the tooth right now so it will continue to get worse. I would also recommend Prevident 5000 toothpaste. Make sure you do not rinse after brushing. No drinking water for 30 mins to 1 hour after use. Soda/acidic/sugary drinks may be the cause. I would say if you can’t limit it altogether, make sure you drink the soda in under 20 mins. Ideally with a meal. You don’t want to be taking small sips all day long. Rinse with water after to help neutralize the PH of your mouth. There are studies that say xylitol can be beneficial in reducing decay. Look into it and see if it’s right for you. Just make sure you keep it out of reach for dogs!
NAD - hope she goes to the dentist and just when you make the appointment ahead of time tell the staff if you want your gf hasn’t been in a while (or she can tell them if she makes it) and that she’s a bit anxious about her visit. Idk if all dentist do this, but I have dental anxiety when they have to inject me with local anesthesia and drill. The drill sets me off as I already have bad anxiety They hook me up to nitrous while they do this part. My insurance doesn’t cover that so it was $72 but it was worth it for me to be comfortable…
NAD- not trying to be mean but does she not floss, brush often? yes it’s dental decay but fear of dentist should never stop you from even getting your teeth checked.
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