This is so shameful. I haven't seen a dentist since 2005. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2009 - 44 answers

Why do baby teeth come in in the order they do? [more inside]
posted by Bugbread on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

how much bleeding is normal after a wisdom tooth extraction? [more inside]
posted by crazylegs on Sep 8, 2009 - 12 answers

What will REALLY happen when I get pregnant if I have poor oral health? [more inside]
posted by mittenbex on Aug 20, 2009 - 17 answers

No Insurance-Filter: I suspect I need some minor dental work done, where can I get it done cheaply and quickly in NYC? Caveat: No Insurance, but some savings. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on May 20, 2009 - 8 answers

Is there any way I can get my teeth significantly whiter within 10 days? [more inside]
posted by Maximian on May 14, 2009 - 12 answers

My three year old just had his filling break off (or fall out) his front tooth a mere seven days after having a dental procedure. Needless to say, it looks AWFUL. Is there some dental technique I should ask my dentist about to get something that will provide a more permanent(ish) solution until his adult teeth come in? Lots more below. [more inside]
posted by swilkerson on Apr 18, 2009 - 15 answers

ThinningToothEnamelFilter: So my latest trip to the dentist (three weeks ago) was a bit of a nightmare, in which I was told the enamel on my teeth is "very thin". Looking for advice on anything I can do to keep what's left, and (dubious) whether there's any way to get it back, as well as what I can expect from here on just generally. A few questions inside for those who have experienced the same thing, or others who genuinely know anything about the problem. [more inside]
posted by springbound on Apr 13, 2009 - 23 answers

Cat filter: Do I really need to get her teeth cleaned? [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Mar 30, 2009 - 30 answers

Act fluoride rinse has three products and all of them contain a sole active ingredient in the same proportions (the smaller bottle has double the amount, but I think it's because the dose they recommend is half as much as the larger). I can see the angle on the Kids brand what with a bubble gummy taste and all but, other than marketing, I can't tell how other two are different. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Tacodog on Mar 2, 2009 - 10 answers

My husband will be getting a couple of dental bridges and I am looking for reassurance and advice. [more inside]
posted by feathermeat on Feb 12, 2009 - 12 answers

Would it be very plausible to hope that a consumer-good electric(al) nerve block be developed for dental/oral surgery pain management? Soon? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Nov 13, 2008 - 6 answers

One of my teeth is pink. What is this?? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Nov 6, 2008 - 7 answers

How did you get a recalcitrant toddler's teeth brushed? [more inside]
posted by chesty_a_arthur on Nov 3, 2008 - 31 answers

wisdom teeth removal questions - laughing gas only? is two separate removals a bad idea? [more inside]
posted by illegiblemess on Oct 19, 2008 - 35 answers

Can you please recommend a dentist in Washington DC? I am almost certainly going to need a couple fillings, or maybe root canals, so I want to make sure I've got the right dentist for the job! [more inside]
posted by allen8219 on Aug 22, 2008 - 12 answers

I've just had 3 white enamel fillings in the bottom-left corner of my mouth. Looking in the mirror, I now have a small bluish-gray mark at the nearest 'peak' of each molar. Should I be worried? [more inside]
posted by Kirn on Aug 21, 2008 - 3 answers

Groan. I need dental braces as an adult... many questions. [more inside]
posted by lottie on Jul 31, 2008 - 10 answers

How do I take better care of my pearly yellows? [more inside]
posted by The ____ of Justice on Jun 15, 2008 - 19 answers

My girlfriend's dentist is pushing her to get a crown on a tooth with several fillings. I'm skeptical because she has no pain, he doesn't see anything wrong with it, and he pushed her last year too. Should she listen to him, get a second opinion (any suggestions for Portland, OR?), or ignore him? [more inside]
posted by msalt on May 30, 2008 - 26 answers

What is going on with my teeth / gums (very disgusting stuff inside)? If you, like me, do not like to hear or see sensitive parts of the body going wrong, please do not read this question. [more inside]
posted by cincinnatus c on Apr 16, 2008 - 15 answers

My girlfriend's crown came off one of her molars, and it was damaged. She went to a dentist who reshaped the stump, made a new crown and replaced it. Since then (3 weeks) it came off once, she's been in excruciating pain the whole time, and now the dentist says she might need a root canal. Is this bad dentistry, or to be expected, and is there any recourse? [more inside]
posted by sergeant sandwich on Mar 13, 2008 - 15 answers

So, it has been suggested that I go get my dental work done in Mexico. From what I hear, the $10k worth of work here, will cost maybe $2-3K there. My family knows of a dentist down there that has done work for 4 or 5 of our friends. I would like to hear from anybody else who has experience with this. All feedback is welcome.
posted by B(oYo)BIES on Feb 21, 2008 - 20 answers

Root Canals for cheaper? I have to get two root canals asap. I live in New York, and have a dental plan that saves a lot, but they are still a whopping 1300 each with the crown. I have heard that people travel to Texas, Mexico, etc. to get them done. Is this cheaper? Safe? Any suggestions for how to afford this? Would a better insurance plan like Blue Cross Blue Shield etc be better for covering these? Thank you so much!!!
posted by tessalations999 on Feb 20, 2008 - 13 answers

Do our mostly-indoors, otherwise healthy cats really need to have their teeth cleaned at the vet's once a year? [more inside]
posted by Asparagirl on Dec 27, 2007 - 19 answers

Jogging or biking makes my back teeth ache (throbbing nerves!) when I first start exercising after maybe a month off (and also, I get violent itches deep in my leg muscle tissue.) Why? Yes, it goes away once I'm back in shape.
posted by Shane on Dec 12, 2007 - 5 answers

I'd like some more info on this new Colgate Weekly Clean toothpaste, but I'm loathe to ask the manufacturer, because they'll obviously be biased. So, is it as good as they make out? [more inside]
posted by Solomon on Dec 2, 2007 - 8 answers

I got a molar removed near where my wisdom teeth used to be, however there's still one tooth back there, which barely gets used because I don't chew back there anymore (since there's a gap). Are there potential complications because my tooth is not being used much? [more inside]
posted by philosophistry on Nov 14, 2007 - 8 answers

Sliding scale cat dentist in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by bash on Oct 19, 2007 - 2 answers

I don't have dental insurance but I have a dental emergency in Chicago. [more inside]
posted by danb1 on Jul 19, 2007 - 12 answers

I'm having an issue with my tooth. The root canal I had on my broken tooth in 2005 was supposed to get crowned eventually, but that was $800 that I didn't have. Anyway, the filling that was put in was temporary, and it's been wearing down over the last 2 years... [more inside]
posted by cmgonzalez on Jul 13, 2007 - 6 answers

I have an inflammation in my gum plus what looks like popcorn sort of stuck inside... [more inside]
posted by sweetkid on Jun 29, 2007 - 18 answers

Help! My teeth are just fine, but my gums seem to be receding. I can't see my dentist for three months. What can I do in the meantime?
posted by krisken on Jun 25, 2007 - 22 answers

How important is it for me to get braces as an adult? If it's critical, how much would they cost, and how could I afford them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 23, 2007 - 20 answers

Due to some psychological issues, over the last one to two years, I've brushed my teeth ... well, probably no more than ten times, total. Having somewhat exorcised whatever little demon caused this neglect, I'm now trying to work my way back to dental health; I need some encouragement that the next step isn't going to be dentures. As always, there's [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 31, 2007 - 48 answers

I really don't want to be bored by plain rice porridge after extracting three wisdom teeth. [more inside]
posted by Xere on Jan 28, 2007 - 30 answers

About 6 days ago I was brushing my teeth and I jammed the plastic edge of my toothbrush hard against my lower right-hand outside gum. There wasn't any blood, but in the days since, some sort of white blister has developed and is sensitive to the touch. It looks like a short (inch-long) line along my gum where the toothbrush hit. Any ideas how long this will take to go away, and if there's anything I can do to speed that up? Thanks!
posted by shivohum on Jan 2, 2007 - 8 answers

[Dental Filter] So, my gums are doing an awful lot of bleeding. It will be at least four months before I can go to the dentist. What can I do about this in the mean time? [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeak on Dec 13, 2006 - 28 answers

Reccommend a dentist in NYC who takes insurance? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Nov 21, 2006 - 10 answers

Dental Filter: What will it cost my girlfriend to cap or replace her dead front tooth? [more inside]
posted by scaryblackdeath on Nov 14, 2006 - 12 answers

Why does this toothpaste hurt my teeth? [more inside]
posted by Ookseer on Nov 3, 2006 - 10 answers

Our feisty little cat has snapped a canine. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen on Aug 26, 2006 - 14 answers

Does carbonated mineral water cause cavities? [more inside]
posted by Ø on Aug 4, 2006 - 16 answers

What is this film on my teeth? [more inside]
posted by rglass on Jul 26, 2006 - 5 answers

What is the best approach for appealing a dental insurance claim that was denied for a pre-existing condition when I have had continuous coverage? Does HIPAA apply? [more inside]
posted by eisbaer on May 31, 2006 - 6 answers

So I need my wisdom teeth out, asap, and I've been quoted $1500. Can I save money by getting dental insurance? [more inside]
posted by sdis on Apr 11, 2006 - 26 answers

DentalFilter: Anybody else have their amalgam fillings replaced because they're old--NOT because you were worried about their possible harmfulness? [more inside]
posted by lilybeane on Feb 20, 2006 - 18 answers

Should I have my wisdom teeth removed? [more inside]
posted by sohcahtoa on Sep 27, 2005 - 36 answers

Is toothpaste bad for your teeth? I recall seeing what was maybe a blog entry by some MeFite on his or her personal site that said (following details are sketchy!): toothpaste is bad for your teeth because of the glycerin, which doesn't allow teeth to "re-enamel". This is just from memory, so I may not have stated it correctly, and I can't find the site again. There was much more information that was very surprising to me (including something about flouride making teeth brittle, and also something about fruit), and I'd like to read more about this. Does anyone here recognize this being from your own site? Has anyone else heard of the toothpaste=bad thing?
posted by taz on Feb 6, 2005 - 32 answers

How long does it take for your teeth to fuse to the jaw and maxilla after having braces? I had braces some five years ago and wore a retainer. I sort of lapsed and have also recently restarted and was wondering what to expect. [mi] [more inside]
posted by Napierzaza on Jan 17, 2005 - 9 answers