Sensitive teeth

Toothsmith

My work here is done :T


Couldn't have put it better myself!

suki1964

Toothsmith wrote:

To Suki 1964 (A damn good year to be born!) Smoking is disaster for teeth & Gums in particular. I know several periodontists (Gum specialists) who will not treat smokers. It's a waste of time. Save yourself a fortune and either give up, or have your dentures made now!!! I'm not kidding. YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR TEETH (If lung cancer or heart disease don't get you first). I often tell my female smokers to put a picture of Dot Cotton (Eastenders) on their mirror - 'cos that's what female smokers all look like eventually! I have good success at getting them to give up. It's amazing how the fear of loosing their teeth is greater than their fear of dying!

I know
Ive already lost 5 teeth and have to wear a plate as my teeth are too weak to take a bridge and the only other option - implants - cant be done because Im a smoker

I do try very hard to stop smoking I really do but have yet to succeed and each time I put myself through the hell of stopping and failing, it makes the next time even more harrowing. Taking that first drag all those years ago is my one regret in life

SnowyOwl_2

Toothsmith wrote:

Smoking is disaster for teeth & Gums in particular. I know several periodontists (Gum specialists) who will not treat smokers. It's a waste of time. Save yourself a fortune and either give up, or have your dentures made now!!! I'm not kidding. YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR TEETH

That is really really scary! :eek: How does smoking lead to tooth loss?

I also wonder if dentists routinely check their patients for signs of oral cancer, or does this have to be requested?

I am so thankful I stopped smoking 4 years ago...Suki it is possible! I too regret taking that first drag... Have you tried the give up smoking support available through your GP surgery? The first time I gave up I went to a "Quit" group and found that helpful (then started again six months later, and took another 7 years to get the willpower back and stop for good).

Sofa_Sogood

SnowyOwl wrote:

That is really really scary! :eek: How does smoking lead to tooth loss?

I also wonder if dentists routinely check their patients for signs of oral cancer, or does this have to be requested?

Not sure if it's true Snowy, but I was told that's what the x-rays were partly for - to check for oral cancer. I'm not sure if you request one, but as I've changed dentists, it usually involved an x-ray at the first visit.

jaffa

I find that sensodyne is the only toothpaste that works for me - so I stock up whenever there is a bogof offer.

As for the gums - I have regular trips to dentists, hygenists and periodontists in an attempt to stop my gums receding further than they already have. I seem to spend all my spare time flossing, brushing and rinsing!!!!!! :eek:

Debt_Free_Chick

How does smoking lead to tooth loss?

Smokers are more susceptible to chronic periodontal disease (gum disease) ... it's beleived that the noxious substances in the smoke destroy the mouth's natural cleansing agents allowing bacteria to get to work on the plaque. The plaque gets below the gumline, the gum becomes detached from the tooth, more plaque & tartar builds up in the gap ... the gum recedes. And in advanced periodontal disease, bone loss below the gums results so the teeth have no anchor.

Try periodontal disease in Google and make sure you include the US sites for more information.

HTH
(My next periodontal visit is on 12 April)

Debt_Free_Chick

SnowyOwl wrote:

I had a trip to the dentist today and was informed that as well as a broken tooth I also have receding gums on one side - I thought that was something horses and old people got...OMG!!! Anyway, old age aside, does anyone know of any economic alternatives to Sensodyne toothpaste to help calm the exposed nerve?

Can your dentist supply or prescribe Colgate Duraphat? This helps to rebuild the dentine. Once it's done it's job, then you can revert to "normal" toothpaste.

Also, Retardex is recommended by my dental hygenist as the best for stain removal. Although it's marketed to deal with haliotosis (sp?), one of its ingredients is apparently the best stain remover. Mind you, it costs £8 a tube!