Hello all! Asking an ortho question, but hopefully I can still get some insight:

I have a permanent retainer on the back of my teeth, and it has notoriously caused issues for me flossing. I wanted to know what suggestions people have for how to help with flossing. I think it may be that I need to see an orthodontist to take it off, because it is holding my teeth too close together that I can’t get a good floss.

I got it when I was 12 after I had braces for 18 months. Ever since then, I have had a few different dentists, due to growing up and changing insurances a few times. Every single dentist I have gone to has started the appointment saying I need to floss more, to which I tell them to try to do it, and they give up after two teeth.

Middle school and high school I did not take good care of my teeth (no cavities or anything close though), but when I got to college, I developed my current brushing-flossing routine: string floss, floss pick, waterpik, brush, then mouthwash 2x a day. I don’t know anyone else who does all of this and still flosses/mouthwashes throughout the day after they eat, as I do. However, I still am unable to floss my front teeth well because of this stupid retainer, and now my teeth are starting to darken around the edges on the front of my teeth.

What should I do? I feel like I’ve tried practically everything I can to the point where I have done more research than some hygienists I encounter, but nothing is working. Do I have to get them taken off? Can you even get them taken off? Do I have to track down my orthodontist

So last night my boyfriend showed me this awful problem he’s been having for months. It looks like the backside of his gums on the bottom row of teeth, all behind the middle section, has almost completely deteriorated and something is sticking out, one of his teeth is rotating, but there’s just this big chunk of bone? Tooth? Just sticking out like a wall in the back. He is broke, he has no insurance, and we arent married so I cant bite the bullet and add him to my insurance or pay for it. My income is okay but I cant afford an oral surgery with no insurance when im covering rent and utilities for us plus paying him back some money I owe him. He won’t ask his dad for assistance. Are there any options for something like this for low to no income and no insurance in the state of Oregon? Or even a nearby state. It looks really, really bad, ive never seen anything like it except for the before and after photos my old dentist office used to have playing on their lobby tv and he likely won’t have a job for awhile given the current climate. Ive been running into a lot of dead ends since its oral surgery and not like, a crown or filling or a tooth falling out. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!

I need to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed as the surrounding gums have become swollen and inflamed. It’s sore and has many symptoms of (and very well may be) pericoronitis.

My usual dentist, who I would prefer to see, doesn’t have any appointments for the next couple weeks. I found someone nearby who can see me in a week, but I’d rather see the one I’m more comfortable with as I don’t do well at the dentist.

Should I see a random dentist ASAP, or could I wait for my preferred dentist?

Thank you for any insight!

I need all four wisdom teeth extracted and the receptionist, when I asked how much it would be, said “$4000 with sedation” but obviously she couldn’t tell me whether or not I’d need sedation. Apparently it’s cheaper if sedation isn’t needed.

So when exactly is sedation needed? Is it for difficult to remove teeth, or extremely anxious patients…?

Hi all,

So I have developed a grey tooth next to my Canine, one of the incisors. Its not too visible but enough to be a bit self conscious about. My dentist mentioned it could be due to the canal inside my tooth narrowing and now the nerve is dead. However the orthodontist he recommended I see, did a minor drill test to see if I felt it on the tooth, which is did, therefore the tooth nerve is very much intact. My question, and I know its difficult without actually seeing it, is what are my potential options for teeth whitening.

I believe I was at one point prescribed tetracycline when I was 18 due to a hematoma from a gym accident, which also at the time helped my acne coincidentally. And before then I hadn’t notice any greying of my teeth, but its also just this one. A bit of research leads me to believe Kor Whitening is my best option… Apologies if this is vague or not the right place. My dentist really only gave me options for laser whitening, veneers, or internal bleaching. And I really want to avoid veneers if at all possible.

I go to the dentist on Wednesday and I’m extremely anxious. I have my four back teeth like 75% decayed from being chipped off and my teeth are yellow. I’ve been fighting depression and if you know anything about depression, it becomes tedious to do simple chores such as brushing your teeth. I’m very worried about the comments of cavities I may have and I’m scared of having my teeth in my back removed. They still have the four points and bottom layer but the rest is gone. I was supposed to go two years back as well for my teeth chipping but it got out of hand.

I’m just worried about any comments about my cavities since I know I have maybe 2 and the 4 back teeth problems. What should I expect the result to be from them about my teeth? If I get the four back taken out, could I get anything to replace?

How to calm dentist anxiety as well lol?

I’ve finally decided to see the dentist. Years of anxiety and I’ve never asked my mom to take me to the dentist (I’m still a minor). Years of neglect caused tartar to appear everywhere and I’ve never batted an eye. Recently, one of my top left molars has started hurting every time it comes into contact with something, and some sore appeared on the roof of my mouth next to the tooth. After dealing with this for a week, I’ve decided that I really needed to get my act together and finally asked my mom to take me there. My appointment is at 5:30 and I’m still terrified. I know that I’m gonna get an ass-whooping from the dentist but I sure that I deserved it. My mom told the dentist that I have a toothache but the dentist won’t expect the mess that is awaiting them. Wish me luck.