Front teeth crumbling...

CompletelyLost

Hi

Thanks for all the replies. I have been wallowing in self pity for a couple of days (not helpful) :S On the up side, they don't seem to have crumbled any more.

How would I go about finding a good private dentist in my area? I wouldn't have the first clue where to look (I'm in Newcastle if that's any help). I've only ever had NHS dental treatment, same with my family & friends. I'm happy to go private as I am able to pay for it. Also, I have private health insurance but not sure if that covers anything to do with teeth... I doubt it though How can a dentist know whether you're bulimic..? Noone has have ever brought it up with me... I can understand why they wouldn't want to though.

Re: bulimia - I haven't vomited for over a year. I don't think I will ever go back to it, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it either. I always feel like I'm attention seeking... I have had counselling in the past but it didn't help. The main problem I have now is anxiety. I think Olympika is right though - although I can control the urges, the thoughts still kick in every so often.

PS: thanks for the toothpaste recommendation. I actually bought some Arm & Hammer Enamel Care toothpaste from boots a couple of days ago, and it is definitely helping with sensitivity already.

Toothsmith

Read my signature for the best way to go about finding a dentist.

Savvy_Sue

CompletelyLost wrote: »

How can a dentist know whether you're bulimic..? Noone has have ever brought it up with me... I can understand why they wouldn't want to though.

I thought the pattern of damage to your enamel was a clue. It may not be conclusive, and a dentist might not want to bring it up. However I wondered if it would make it easier for you to say something - particularly to a new dentist - if you knew a dentist was likely to suspect already, IYSWIM?

Toothsmith

It would certainly make matters a lot easier if you volunteered the infomation in the medical history.

Bear in mind that the dentist and all his staff are bound by complete patient confidentiality. Nothing you disclose will go outside the building.

lindaamos57

I have started researching cracked and crumbling teeth on the internet and was directed here. I have read all the comments but what is the cause of the cracks and crumbling. I have looked after my teeth, regular dentist check ups, have a heathy diet (no fads or bulimia/anorexia) but still my teeth are cracking and crumbling. I cannot afford crowns and my NHS dentist (I found one!!) wasn't particularly helpful, simply saying it would be very expensive. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to stop/reduce the problem myself. The molars have been filled, some only once, but they are crumbling from the back of the jaw to the front. My front teeth are just cracking at present. They are all cracking from top to bottom then seem to crack across the tooth and I lose that part of the tooth. I don't want a mouth full of dentures and would be happy to have crowns if the price was affordable. Anyone have any ideas please?

jugglebug

lindaamos57 wrote: »

I have started researching cracked and crumbling teeth on the internet and was directed here. I have read all the comments but what is the cause of the cracks and crumbling. I have looked after my teeth, regular dentist check ups, have a heathy diet (no fads or bulimia/anorexia) but still my teeth are cracking and crumbling. I cannot afford crowns and my NHS dentist (I found one!!) wasn't particularly helpful, simply saying it would be very expensive. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to stop/reduce the problem myself. The molars have been filled, some only once, but they are crumbling from the back of the jaw to the front. My front teeth are just cracking at present. They are all cracking from top to bottom then seem to crack across the tooth and I lose that part of the tooth. I don't want a mouth full of dentures and would be happy to have crowns if the price was affordable. Anyone have any ideas please?

Not much you can do yourself really. Letting a dentist just blindly crown everything in sight isnt the answer, until you have found someone able to diagnose exactly why it is happening.
This is sometimes due to an imbalance in the bite (occlusion) Which is considered somewhat of a mystery subject in some quarters. I certainly didnt come close to understanding it as an undergraduate, and certainly still don't have the level of understanding that some others do.
Do you get headaches as well? Wake up with them sometimes? These can be signs the bite is out.
How big are the fillings you have? Do they go over more than one surface of the tooth?
Amalgam or tooth coloured?

Not actually asking you to answer them, just want you to realise there are lots of factors involved. The path of closure of your jaw is important too and there is no way you can describe that to me over the net

lindaamos57

Thank you for responding, jugglebug. Fillings are amalgam, no headaches on waking, bite pattern is good. A few of the fillings are to build up the tooth, most are internal and the tooth is around the outside. Guess I just have to live with it and save up for the crowns as they are needed. Thank you for your help.