Help! I brushed away all my tooth enamel being 'careful'. What now?

actually_a_llama

Edit: Post removed due to forum rules

Emmia

What does your dentist advise? Medical advice is against the rules on MSE.

actually_a_llama

Emmia said:

What does your dentist advise? Medical advice is against the rules on MSE.

Not much really; they put a little bit of flouride varnish on one area and sent me on my way; told me to look up how to brush properly online and try to finish by the timer on the brush is done. I got the impression they were trying to not scare me too much.

Edit: Ok. I've asked elsewhere on the internet due to the forum's rules. I'll still check back in here if anyone has any words of wisdom that don't constitute medical advice.

Toothsmith

To start with you will not have brushed away 'All' your tooth enamel - so your description of your problem will be wrong to start with. If your dentist felt all that was needed was a bit of fluoride varnish - then I don't think they can have thought it was that serious either. Certainly not 'all' your enamel had gone.

So perhaps your dentist wasn't that good at reassuring you?

Asking random questions to the internet where who knows who could be giving you goodness knows what advice on your poor description of your problem is a recipe for disaster, which is why it's not allowed on here.

The advice can only be to consult a dentist. If the dentist you've seen has not reassured you or explained the issue well enough to you - then probably see another dentist? 

SUPERGIRL2020

I know this is an old post!

Ive the same problem for many years I thought brushing hard and long was the only way to have healthy white teeth! After years of brushing hard and long 20 mins in the morning and at night I think Ive brushed my enamel away! Everytime I brush I get sensitive teeth and ulcers to the point my mouth is agony so I have to stop brushing for at least 2 weeks! Its the same cycle everytime I brush. Ive spoke to my dentist who seems baffled. How can I sort it out if Ive brushed my enamel away?

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81983842#Comment_81983842

Everytime I brush I get sensitive teeth and ulcers to the point my mouth is agony

Does it happen if you brush only with water? If not it might mean you're reacting to an ingredient in the toothpaste.

SUPERGIRL2020

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985227#Comment_81985227

Yes. 

Ive got a super soft toothbrush and my toothpaste has no harsh chemicals in it. I'm thinking I must have brushed my enamel away over the years. I wonder if a dentist can do some sort of test to find out 🤷‍♀️

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986445#Comment_81986445

Chemicals don't have to be 'harsh' for someone to have a sensitivity to them - people can even have a reaction to water (not that I'm suggesting that's the case for you; you'd know about it from washing etc., I'm just illustrating the point). But yeah, what you're experiencing is definitely something to investigate with your dentist.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81983842#Comment_81983842

Ulcers sounds more like an allergy to the toothpaste, which is separate from the possible enamel problem - I'd try just water as suggested.

You haven't changed toothpaste recently? New mouthwash? Floss?

SUPERGIRL2020

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986778#Comment_81986778

No Ive had this toothpaste for years its from Holland and Barrett. I don't use mouthwash or floss. Could it be possible I have no enamel left from years of hard long brushing? I do remember my old dentist saying something about my dentin but I dunno what that means and he never explained it

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987743#Comment_81987743

Is it a "natural" baking soda or charcoal toothpaste? Those are seriously abrasive.

Is it fluoride free?

I think you need to go back to your dentist, and if he is unable to explain it so you understand, you find a new dentist - if you genuinely have brushed away your enamel then you need to ask about treatments that might be suitable.

You may want to Google Dentin /Dentine