The Dental Advice Thread

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 12:27 PM

Hey guys,
I am currently a 4th year Dental Student and I thought it might be handy having a thread for all your dental queries! I finish my studies July 2010 and I thought this would be a good way for me to revise for my exams and to give advice to my fellow training buddies! So you can ask me anything on teeth, tongues, ulcers, coldsores, dental fillings and procedures and anything else dentally related and I will try and answer them to the best of my ability.

**Luffers** · 17-05-2009 12:28 PM

Do any of the teeth whitening pastes actually work?

**suj** · 17-05-2009 12:35 PM

ok weird question, i haven't been dentist or opticians in like 10 years, i haven't been doctors for an illness in like 7 years!

but recently my front bottom 2 teeth, right at the bottom near the gums have been crumbling (the actual part of each tooth coming off, i dunno if it's enamel?) but then a week later it's ok again? it's happened twice in 6months?
gum disease? (one my mates thinks it is)?

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 12:43 PM

Hey there Luffers, from what I know most whitening toothpastes have a minimal effect on tooth whitening. They generally work by having small gritty particles (like fine sand) that can help remove some surface staining. But sometimes they may cause some damage to your enamel as it is in away similar to using sand paper on your teeth.

The way to get the most significant whiteness for your teeth would be to get them bleached but my friends who have had their teeth bleached have complained about there teeth being sensitive as hell for a few days lol

Tips for reducing staining- after having wine, coffee or tea, swill your mouth with some water. The stain pigments will sit behind your lips and will be pressed against your teeth, so this will help remove them.

Hope that helped

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 01:02 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by suj

ok weird question, i haven't been dentist or opticians in like 10 years, i haven't been doctors for an illness in like 7 years!

but recently my front bottom 2 teeth, right at the bottom near the gums have been crumbling (the actual part of each tooth coming off, i dunno if it's enamel?) but then a week later it's ok again? it's happened twice in 6months?
gum disease? (one my mates thinks it is)?

Hey Suj,
You should probs see a dentist if its been that long but I guess its hard to get an NHS dentist these days! It sounds like it might just be a bit of calculus. The lower front teeth are a common area for a build up of this.

Calculus forms from dental plaque. Dental plaque is the white furry stuff that you can scratch off your teeth at night before you brush your teeth. This stuff is a collection of bacteria. Plaque can turn to calculus when it takes minerals from your saliva and hardens and this commonly occurs at the bottom front teeth because you have a salivery gland duct behind there and saliva pools at the bottom of your mouth. Normally in areas where theres calculus I have found areas of swelling of the gums. So you may find your gums bleed when you brush them? It sounds like the calculus builds up and falls off and builds up and falls off again.

Suggested treatment:
1. Register with a dentist- they can spot early decay in your teeth and restore the necessary teeth to make sure you keep hold of your teeth till old age!! Also they can check what you are describing as I can't physically see it.
2. They will give you a scale- which removes calculus, that you cant really really remove yourself.
3. Maintain good oral hygiene at home i,e, brushing 2 times a day and flossing

Hope it helped

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 01:13 PM

I've just realised this should be posted in 'off topic' can this thread be moved?

**NU_nutrition_TS** · 17-05-2009 01:25 PM

I've moved it here, into 'Health & Wellbeing', as I think that is probably more appropriate to the topic!

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 01:34 PM

cheers

**Gareth83** · 17-05-2009 02:49 PM

what toothpaste do 'you' recommend?

I like Sarakan...

**musefan** · 17-05-2009 03:50 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by Gareth83

what toothpaste do 'you' recommend?

I like Sarakan...

Hey Gareth,
I would recommend a fluoride tooth paste with the concentration of around 1400ppm (this is the concentration in most adult toothpastes). This is generally found in most adullt toothpastes. Fluoride is very important in strengthening teeth and in prevention of dental decay- and it has been clinically proven to do so. Ive not yet heard of Sarakan so I googled it and realised it has no fluoride. Unless theres a particular reason you don't like using fluoride toothpaste- then I would recommend using fluoride toothpaste as your teeth will benefit most from it.

Hope that helped