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

I'm looking for an effective and relatively inexpensive way to whiten my teeth. Every time I shop for a product, I leave emptyhanded, confused about all the choices. [more inside]
posted by SweetTeaAndABiscuit on Oct 4, 2009 - 15 answers

Big throbbing hole in my tooth. Two weeks until the root canal. No instructions on what to do in the meantime. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 22, 2009 - 20 answers

How bad is tooth sensitivity from gold inlays? [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi on Sep 11, 2009 - 14 answers

How careful do I need to be with eating and brushing around a large temporary filling from a root canal in progress? [more inside]
posted by I, Slobot on Jul 1, 2009 - 9 answers

How worried should I be about my chipped tooth? [more inside]
posted by Riki tiki on May 21, 2009 - 11 answers

My tooth cracked. Is it my dentist's fault? (bonus question: is it causing my tonsillitis??) [more inside]
posted by Jason and Laszlo on May 10, 2009 - 9 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

Just had a root canal this morning, but have to go back next week to finish it. Why didn't they do it all at once? [more inside]
posted by J Parker on Apr 16, 2009 - 13 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

Can I scratch or otherwise harm my teeth by occasionally polishing them with bicarb soda? [more inside]
posted by lottie on Feb 21, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I calm my itchy wisdom tooth sockets? [more inside]
posted by NikitaNikita on Feb 19, 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

I noticed today that when I prod my top right-most molar with the tip of my tongue that it aches dully. I DO intend to make an appointment with a dentist, but don't have too much experience with tooth problems of any kind (I've had two cavities ever), so I wanted to get opinions on what this might be before I go. [more inside]
posted by anthy on Feb 1, 2009 - 13 answers

Tooth issue. Should I go see a dentist? [more inside]
posted by querty on Jan 25, 2009 - 14 answers

My wife has a funny combo, if she blows her nose, then drinks cold water she gets major pain in one of her teeth (upper row, mid way back) She also gets a similar pain when descending in an airplane - doesn't happen every time but enough times to be nervous on descent. She describes the pain as though someone is ripping out her tooth. Anyone get this or know what it may be? Probably a trip to the dentist would uncover the secret, but I was looking for a mefi preview.
posted by royalchinook on Jan 7, 2009 - 10 answers

I have Delta Dental and The dental is asking me for 1700 to do 2 root canals. Is that too much [more inside]
posted by minsid on Dec 4, 2008 - 17 answers

I seem to have chipped a tiny bit of my upper-left wisdom tooth. My dental insurance also ran out a month ago. Now what? [more inside]
posted by special-k on Nov 29, 2008 - 16 answers

Should I pull this tooth out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Question about dentition and brass instruments [more inside]
posted by plinth on Nov 15, 2008 - 9 answers

Which electric toothbrush should I buy? [more inside]
posted by Tu13es on Nov 13, 2008 - 33 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

About 84 hours ago I had four wisdom teeth extracted. The bottom left, though, has been the most painful and swollen post-op. I've also noticed a strip along the left underside of my tongue was numb and, more significantly, that strip has since spread around the tip of my tongue. Should I be worried/what should I ask my doctor (whom you are not)? [more inside]
posted by d. z. wang on Aug 25, 2008 - 10 answers

How much does the living tissue weigh in a fully developed wisdom tooth?
posted by Null Pointer and the Exceptions on Aug 7, 2008 - 4 answers

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

A fair-sized bit of one of my teeth just fell off. The tooth is a molar, third from the back on the bottom jaw. I'm not in pain, and this has never happened before; I have no fillings and my teeth are generally healthy. I can see an NHS dentist in two weeks' time at the earliest, but what (if anything) should I do about it in the meantime? [more inside]
posted by matthewr on May 16, 2008 - 21 answers

I keep losing the same buckle filling again and again. Should I just suck it up and tell my dentist to give me a cap instead? [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on Apr 28, 2008 - 7 answers

Dental Sealant: Should I have the treatment? [more inside]
posted by Chuckles on Apr 14, 2008 - 10 answers

My 6 year old needs to have a tooth extracted for medical reasons tommorrow. Any tips/advice that my wife and I can use to ease the anxiety pre-pull? [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Apr 11, 2008 - 27 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

Why does rubbing my hands on clothing cause tooth discomfort? [more inside]
posted by MrBCID on Dec 23, 2007 - 3 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

My 6 yr. old son just lost his first tooth. He now expects a "tooth fairy" because his Brittish dad told him. I'm Dutch and have no idea. Help me out to answer some of his questions. [more inside]
posted by kudzu on Dec 10, 2007 - 67 answers

Dammit. It looks like part of a filling in one of my molars has fallen out... on the evening before Thanksgiving, naturally! I've already called my dentist and no one's in the office till Monday (and I don't think this counts as a bona fide emergency). What should I do to minimize the damage till I can get in to see him? [more inside]
posted by scody on Nov 21, 2007 - 15 answers

Shady dentists and second opinions. Any insight would be helpful. [more inside]
posted by outsider on Jul 24, 2007 - 13 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

Are there any known systemic effects of low-grade root canal infection after treatment? [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte on Jun 4, 2007 - 5 answers

Seeking advice regarding Wisdom tooth extraction complications. [more inside]
posted by crack on May 24, 2007 - 4 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

After an uncomplicated lower wisdom tooth extraction, what can you see with an ordinary flashlight & mirror? [more inside]
posted by spacewrench on Dec 27, 2006 - 9 answers

My teeth have been in disrepair for several years now, and I've been saving my money for nearly as long to have them extracted (and replaced by dentures) en masse. Unfortunately, I discovered yesterday that at least one tooth has grown impatient with that schedule. [more inside]
posted by The Confessor on Dec 13, 2006 - 11 answers

I just got my teeth cleaned and I'm bleaching them too. I drink 5-6 cups of black tea (with milk) a day which is no good for white teeth - what alternative beverages can I switch to that won't be so bad for my pearly whites? [more inside]
posted by forallmankind on Nov 28, 2006 - 11 answers

After having an impacted wisdom tooth removed over three weeks ago the adjacent molar seems to have relocated because it feels like it's more elevated now and I can no longer bite down completely (there's also some sensitivity). [more inside]
posted by zinegurl on Oct 22, 2006 - 5 answers

Care to share your tips for coping post-tooth removal? [more inside]
posted by Dreama on Oct 16, 2006 - 20 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

InTheMeantimeFilter: I've got a formerly filled, chipped tooth with exposed dentin that doesn't hurt .. yet. What can I do in the meantime before the dentist visit? [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold on May 28, 2006 - 11 answers

I'll be getting a false tooth. What are the noticeable differences? [more inside]
posted by popcassady on Mar 25, 2006 - 16 answers

ToothEvolutionFilter: Why are human teeth so poorly "designed"? [more inside]
posted by beerbajay on Mar 21, 2006 - 29 answers

Is it alright to leave a dental cavity unfilled? [more inside]
posted by lunkfish on Jan 24, 2006 - 21 answers