rotten teeth
June 27, 2012 5:40 AM Subscribe
Cursed with rotten teeth! In spite of brushing and flossing, still tons of cavities every checkup. What will work to stop this?
21 year old son with rotten teeth from day one. He brushes (manual toothbrush), flosses all the time but it seems to have no affect because he was born with these soft teeth. Last year, 7 cavities. Yesterday 11 cavities found with the need for one root canal. Every year it is like this. Help! What will help him and my pocketbook?
Sonic toothbrush?
Water Pik?
Sealants?
Extra dental insurance?
Flouride mouthwash?
Some bizarre remedy?
21 year old son with rotten teeth from day one. He brushes (manual toothbrush), flosses all the time but it seems to have no affect because he was born with these soft teeth. Last year, 7 cavities. Yesterday 11 cavities found with the need for one root canal. Every year it is like this. Help! What will help him and my pocketbook?
Sonic toothbrush?
Water Pik?
Sealants?
Extra dental insurance?
Flouride mouthwash?
Some bizarre remedy?
Does your son brush his teeth very hard?
I got a "surface cavity" from brushing my teeth too hard. Maybe switch to a softer brush?
posted by Ziggy500 at 5:44 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
I got a "surface cavity" from brushing my teeth too hard. Maybe switch to a softer brush?
posted by Ziggy500 at 5:44 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
Are his teeth hurting a lot due to these cavities? How much do you trust your dentist? I only ask because my wife has definitely had a dentist do an unnecessary procedure, which she discovered when she ended up going to another dentist.
posted by Grither at 5:44 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by Grither at 5:44 AM on June 27, 2012
Why doesn't\hasn't your dentist recommended what to do?
Are these in his molars for the most part? Having a sealant done on each tooth is very effective.
posted by zephyr_words at 5:45 AM on June 27, 2012
Are these in his molars for the most part? Having a sealant done on each tooth is very effective.
posted by zephyr_words at 5:45 AM on June 27, 2012
I'm very surprised that your dentist doesn't have him on any special products - for example, PreviDent toothpaste is a prescription toothpaste that is supposed to help the cavity-prone. I would guess that there are other products out there, available to dentists, to help.
If your dentist is not being helpful, switch to a different dentist.
posted by insectosaurus at 5:46 AM on June 27, 2012
If your dentist is not being helpful, switch to a different dentist.
posted by insectosaurus at 5:46 AM on June 27, 2012
I was just like you--got all the genetics for weak adult teeth. Always getting cavities no matter how much I brushed/flossed. This is what ended up working for me:
Electric/sonic toothbrush - but don't get lazy! Still have to brush as carefully as a manual, but it will do a better job.
Get a cleaning every 4 months rather than every six. Yes, it is more expensive and some insurance won't cover it, but would you rather spend money on cleaning or filling cavities?
Ask your dentist about prescription anti-cavity toothpaste. This has been a godsend for me, and it's made my teeth less sensitive to cold/heat (due to the added flouride/calcium in it) to boot.
I also ask for the extra sealing every time, but that's mostly just because I'm paranoid. The other things though, have helped! No cavities in 2 years!
posted by ninjakins at 5:47 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
Electric/sonic toothbrush - but don't get lazy! Still have to brush as carefully as a manual, but it will do a better job.
Get a cleaning every 4 months rather than every six. Yes, it is more expensive and some insurance won't cover it, but would you rather spend money on cleaning or filling cavities?
Ask your dentist about prescription anti-cavity toothpaste. This has been a godsend for me, and it's made my teeth less sensitive to cold/heat (due to the added flouride/calcium in it) to boot.
I also ask for the extra sealing every time, but that's mostly just because I'm paranoid. The other things though, have helped! No cavities in 2 years!
posted by ninjakins at 5:47 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've also got genetically bad teeth. Cleaning (with fluoride treatment) every 4 months, and was just told I had to get a sonic toothbrush. I'm also very surprised your dentist hasn't prescribed specific prevention methods.
posted by JoanArkham at 5:49 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by JoanArkham at 5:49 AM on June 27, 2012
Oral B electric toothbrush is amazing. But more importantly flossing. HE HAS TO DO THIS. maybe he already does this, but make sure he does. I had horrible teeth, and between electric toothbrush, flossing regularly and listerine, it's soooo much better.
posted by pyro979 at 5:50 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by pyro979 at 5:50 AM on June 27, 2012
You might want to try CariFree. As someone who has dropped the price of a midsize SUV into his mouth over the past few years, I started using it when my dentist said he'd had really good results from it. With regular use, it's amazing stuff. You rinse once a day (I usually do it at night before bed, because you can't eat or drink for half an hour after) after brushing. I haven't had any tooth-related issues in two years, and that's pretty much unheard of for me.
I get mine from my dentist, so I'm not sure if it's prescription or just something that only dentists carry, but it'd be worth your time to try it.
posted by Mooski at 6:00 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
I get mine from my dentist, so I'm not sure if it's prescription or just something that only dentists carry, but it'd be worth your time to try it.
posted by Mooski at 6:00 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
Long shot: Is he vegan, or does he have an otherwise restricted diet that might limit his intake of vitamins D, A, and K2? There's evidence linking vitamin deficiencies common to people following a vegan diet to tooth decay. Here's a summary.
posted by pie ninja at 6:02 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by pie ninja at 6:02 AM on June 27, 2012
A couple of things:
1) Electric toothbrush. Honestly, getting one of those was the difference between huge cavities and bleeding gums, and clean bills of health from the dentist for me.
2) Overbites, crooked teeth or even a tendency to grind his teeth without thinking will cause weaknesses over time that mean cavities. I got a mouth guard for the night because I grind my teeth when I'm overstressed, and it made a huge difference.
Also, when he flosses makes a difference too. Like, if he has bread for lunch, but doesn't floss until bedtime, that food has a chance to lodge between teeth and work away at the enamel. A bag of those disposable floss picks will help him get the gunk out right after eating without it being a big production to go floss his teeth.
Good luck!
posted by LN at 6:02 AM on June 27, 2012 [2 favorites]
1) Electric toothbrush. Honestly, getting one of those was the difference between huge cavities and bleeding gums, and clean bills of health from the dentist for me.
2) Overbites, crooked teeth or even a tendency to grind his teeth without thinking will cause weaknesses over time that mean cavities. I got a mouth guard for the night because I grind my teeth when I'm overstressed, and it made a huge difference.
Also, when he flosses makes a difference too. Like, if he has bread for lunch, but doesn't floss until bedtime, that food has a chance to lodge between teeth and work away at the enamel. A bag of those disposable floss picks will help him get the gunk out right after eating without it being a big production to go floss his teeth.
Good luck!
posted by LN at 6:02 AM on June 27, 2012 [2 favorites]
Is he drinking sugar-based drinks throughout the day? Or coffee? If you're only brushing 2x day but sipping/drinking/snacking all day it might be contributing.
posted by jay dee bee at 6:06 AM on June 27, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by jay dee bee at 6:06 AM on June 27, 2012 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I came in to make sure he wasn't overdoing it on soda. Even diet soda can be like acid for your teeth. Gatorade, Mountain-Dew, and lemon lime drinks are supposedly the worst for your teeth. (I am a Diet Coke addict and my teeth have paid the price in cavities.)
posted by shortyJBot at 6:09 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by shortyJBot at 6:09 AM on June 27, 2012
Echoing the last two replies, he should cut back on ALL sugary foods, not just sodas. No more sugar in his coffee, no more fruit juice, soda, or beer -- anything with refined carbs will just provide food for bacteria living in his mouth that produce cavities.
I would go so far as to say that he should cut down on all refined carbs, including white rice and flour, as they too can feed the bacteria in your mouth.
posted by imagineerit at 6:31 AM on June 27, 2012
I would go so far as to say that he should cut down on all refined carbs, including white rice and flour, as they too can feed the bacteria in your mouth.
posted by imagineerit at 6:31 AM on June 27, 2012
Seconding going to the hygienist four times a year instead of two. She's the one who always suggests and provides the preventative measures - she seems to take it personally if a cavity shows up. Since I started doing this, I've had one potential cavity in seven years, and they're just monitoring it before doing any restoration work.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 7:01 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by halfbuckaroo at 7:01 AM on June 27, 2012
I also have this problem! I use, twice a day: soft toothbrush, sensitive whitening toothpaste, fluoride mouth wash, regular floss. I go to the dentist twice a year (I usually have 2 cavities at each visit, BOO) and, this sounds dumb, but I use a straw to drink nearly all of my beverages. Apparently, it minimizes contact between acidic drinks and your front teeth, thus giving your enamel a break. I also use a mouth guard at night because I grind my teeth in my sleep. I've been doing this routine for 2 years now, and I've seen improvement...used to get ~8 cavities a year, now I usually have about 4. Obviously every mouth is different, so good luck to your son!!
posted by sc114 at 7:24 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by sc114 at 7:24 AM on June 27, 2012
I stopped getting cavities as soon as I stopped drinking pop drinks. Does your son drink a lot of pop?
posted by DetriusXii at 7:35 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by DetriusXii at 7:35 AM on June 27, 2012
I have this problem also.
Where he gets the cavities might be informative. I got a lot of cavities around my molars because I grind my teeth at night (and am paying for crowns as a result, because I was bad about wearing my bite guard. Fie and shame on me).
Nthing those who have suggested soda acidity might be the issue also, if he does that. If he CAN'T cut them out entirely (I'm a caffeine addict, I understand, especially of he's a college student), then he should (1) brush his teeth immediately after drinking soda and/or (2) Try to drink with a straw so your teeth don't come as much in contact with the soda.
Fluoride treatments helped, there are also prescription-strength fluoride toothpastes out there.
Also you may consider switching dentists if these are seriously things he or she hasn't suggested yet.
posted by dismas at 7:46 AM on June 27, 2012
Where he gets the cavities might be informative. I got a lot of cavities around my molars because I grind my teeth at night (and am paying for crowns as a result, because I was bad about wearing my bite guard. Fie and shame on me).
Nthing those who have suggested soda acidity might be the issue also, if he does that. If he CAN'T cut them out entirely (I'm a caffeine addict, I understand, especially of he's a college student), then he should (1) brush his teeth immediately after drinking soda and/or (2) Try to drink with a straw so your teeth don't come as much in contact with the soda.
Fluoride treatments helped, there are also prescription-strength fluoride toothpastes out there.
Also you may consider switching dentists if these are seriously things he or she hasn't suggested yet.
posted by dismas at 7:46 AM on June 27, 2012
And don't brush right after soda. Notoriously bad for enamel.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 7:48 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 7:48 AM on June 27, 2012
Seconding the K2 and remineralization paste. CariFree seems to have it, I have been using MI Paste with good results.
posted by Earl the Polliwog at 8:01 AM on June 27, 2012
posted by Earl the Polliwog at 8:01 AM on June 27, 2012
2nding PreviDent toothpaste.
As someone with a genetic condition of having no enamel, this has saved my teeth.
posted by disaster77 at 8:50 AM on June 27, 2012
As someone with a genetic condition of having no enamel, this has saved my teeth.
posted by disaster77 at 8:50 AM on June 27, 2012
What worked for me:
electric tooth brush, I never seem to be able to get my teeth clean brushing by hand;
anti-plaque toothpaste;
occasional use of anti-bacterial mouthwash after brushing;
clean regularly between teeth (I use those little brushes that go between your teeth, but flossing should get the job done as well).
I don't take sugar in my coffee, I rarely drink sugary soft-drinks and only occasionally drink fruit juice.
posted by rjs at 10:12 AM on June 27, 2012
electric tooth brush, I never seem to be able to get my teeth clean brushing by hand;
anti-plaque toothpaste;
occasional use of anti-bacterial mouthwash after brushing;
clean regularly between teeth (I use those little brushes that go between your teeth, but flossing should get the job done as well).
I don't take sugar in my coffee, I rarely drink sugary soft-drinks and only occasionally drink fruit juice.
posted by rjs at 10:12 AM on June 27, 2012
The short answer is that you should find your son a dentist with whom you can build a trusting relationship that will begin with controlling the decay he has right now, continue with a strict decay control program (prevention) and include reconstruction to create a functional bite when the fires have been put out.
Based on the information you have provided, my first question would be whether or not all of the cavities from the 7 found last year were fixed. No other factor is more important than whether or not there is active decay in his mouth. All other risk factors pale in comparison to an untreated cavity for predicting future tooth decay. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, cleaning with a hygienist are all fine for a mouth with no cavities, but even one untreated cavity will render them all ineffective at solving this problem.
If these 11 cavities are all new this year, then there is something else going on here. 'Lifestyle' choices is the most polite way I would put it, but there are few ways to develop cavities at that high rate that do not have a lifestyle choice associated with them.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:23 AM on June 27, 2012
Based on the information you have provided, my first question would be whether or not all of the cavities from the 7 found last year were fixed. No other factor is more important than whether or not there is active decay in his mouth. All other risk factors pale in comparison to an untreated cavity for predicting future tooth decay. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, cleaning with a hygienist are all fine for a mouth with no cavities, but even one untreated cavity will render them all ineffective at solving this problem.
If these 11 cavities are all new this year, then there is something else going on here. 'Lifestyle' choices is the most polite way I would put it, but there are few ways to develop cavities at that high rate that do not have a lifestyle choice associated with them.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:23 AM on June 27, 2012
A few weeks ago, I had the first uneventful checkup of my life, I think. I mean, I'm the kind of person who finds out she has half a dozen cavities at a checkup, and it's normal. No cavities is unheard of. I have had root canals, crowns, bridges, you name it. (I'm 37 years old, and most of those were in my 20s. I think I ran out of teeth to get holes in.)
But I really think the difference this time was the Sonicare I just bought. I will freely admit (now) that what caused my cavities was poor brushing and flossing (if any flossing!) Now I'm forced to brush for two minutes, and those two minutes are used wisely.
I should also mention, and this is a biggie, that I started a low-carb (read: no candy!) diet, and I had a massive, raging sweet tooth before that. So I think between those two things, I figured out how to make my teeth stop rotting out of my head.
Now my dentist just needs to figure some other way to send his kids to college!
posted by pyjammy at 12:34 PM on June 27, 2012
But I really think the difference this time was the Sonicare I just bought. I will freely admit (now) that what caused my cavities was poor brushing and flossing (if any flossing!) Now I'm forced to brush for two minutes, and those two minutes are used wisely.
I should also mention, and this is a biggie, that I started a low-carb (read: no candy!) diet, and I had a massive, raging sweet tooth before that. So I think between those two things, I figured out how to make my teeth stop rotting out of my head.
Now my dentist just needs to figure some other way to send his kids to college!
posted by pyjammy at 12:34 PM on June 27, 2012
Nthing many of the above suggestions:
posted by high5ths at 2:57 PM on June 27, 2012
- Get a Sonicare toothbrush (and really using it for the full period -- I think it's 60 seconds)
- Flossing every day, ideally after every meal
- Some sort of mouthwash; my dentist recommended the Listerine Total Care (I think it's purple)
- Drink basically everything with a strong. Diet Coke was really destroying my teeth, and once I switched to straws I stopped getting cavities completely.
posted by high5ths at 2:57 PM on June 27, 2012
My dentist also recommends PreviDent, in a mouthwash form that you swish around for 60 seconds once a week.
posted by KRS at 3:16 PM on June 27, 2012
posted by KRS at 3:16 PM on June 27, 2012
I have fluorosis and started using the Sonicare toothbrush about 6 years ago...I have some crowns and veneers on my front teeth because of discoloration/"soft teeth/enamel" and have otherwise had plenty of cavities. Food sticks to my teeth more than it does to people w/o fluorosis. My dentist recommended a sonicare for years before I finally got over the aversion to paying $100 for a toothbrush. The sonicare is definitely worth it.
I started using it because I had lived abroad for a year and came back to horribly stained teeth. The sonicare got rid of the stains and has been a lifesaver because I don't have dental insurance and therefore never go to the dentist.
I would also advise not to cheap out on the sonic toothbrush. I only have experience with the sonicare but the other electric toothbrushes that you can get for like $15 are not the same at all.
posted by fromageball at 4:07 PM on June 27, 2012
I started using it because I had lived abroad for a year and came back to horribly stained teeth. The sonicare got rid of the stains and has been a lifesaver because I don't have dental insurance and therefore never go to the dentist.
I would also advise not to cheap out on the sonic toothbrush. I only have experience with the sonicare but the other electric toothbrushes that you can get for like $15 are not the same at all.
posted by fromageball at 4:07 PM on June 27, 2012
Also yeah, use the sonicare for the full period. It's two minutes and it beeps every 30 seconds so you can switch to a different quadrant of your mouth. I use mine twice/day.
posted by fromageball at 4:08 PM on June 27, 2012
posted by fromageball at 4:08 PM on June 27, 2012
How I stopped having cavities:
(a) Sonicare. I hate it, but it works.
(b) ACT mouthwash, the one that says "recommended by dentists." NOT just plain ol' Listerine will do for super bad teeth, apparently.
(c) Flossing and using a mouth pick once a day to stab at my gums in the back that I can't really get to.
(d) Going to the dentist every THREE months, not four, to get a thorough teeth scouring/scraping. I haven't had a cavity in 2 years now.
I have a Water Pik (it was recommended) but pretty much stopped using it after about a month since I tended to not remember to refill or recharge it before hopping in the shower. In your case, you might want to get that too.
I also had ...I'm trying to remember the name of the procedure, but it was some kind of deep tissue scouring process thing where they could only do 2 quadrants of my mouth at one time. Haven't had to have that repeated yet.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:07 PM on June 27, 2012
(a) Sonicare. I hate it, but it works.
(b) ACT mouthwash, the one that says "recommended by dentists." NOT just plain ol' Listerine will do for super bad teeth, apparently.
(c) Flossing and using a mouth pick once a day to stab at my gums in the back that I can't really get to.
(d) Going to the dentist every THREE months, not four, to get a thorough teeth scouring/scraping. I haven't had a cavity in 2 years now.
I have a Water Pik (it was recommended) but pretty much stopped using it after about a month since I tended to not remember to refill or recharge it before hopping in the shower. In your case, you might want to get that too.
I also had ...I'm trying to remember the name of the procedure, but it was some kind of deep tissue scouring process thing where they could only do 2 quadrants of my mouth at one time. Haven't had to have that repeated yet.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:07 PM on June 27, 2012
jenfullmoon: scalar root planing?
Nthing the sonicare. I needed eleven grand in dental work; I have notoriously shitty mouth genetics. Since I started using the sonicare, I've had exactly one new cavity, and it was tiny. That's in nine years. Before that, it was new cavities every visit.
posted by KathrynT at 11:37 PM on June 27, 2012
Nthing the sonicare. I needed eleven grand in dental work; I have notoriously shitty mouth genetics. Since I started using the sonicare, I've had exactly one new cavity, and it was tiny. That's in nine years. Before that, it was new cavities every visit.
posted by KathrynT at 11:37 PM on June 27, 2012
Sealants! I had cavities at every single checkup as a kid until they sealed my molars, at which time my rate of cavities dropped significantly.
posted by telophase at 2:40 PM on July 6, 2012
posted by telophase at 2:40 PM on July 6, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by troika at 5:44 AM on June 27, 2012