I havent brushed my teeth THAT much in the past few years or so, i have a dentist appointment in 2weeks,?

i havent been to the dentist in 2 years, and i have some very serious teeth problems, i need braces, i have a cavity that i never got filled 3 years ago, and im so afraid of what else i might need done. * anything anyone has to say would be appreciated,* im freaking out!! im 21 , what do you think about the braces thing? my teeth are wicked bad, im definitely going to do it because i need to fix my teeth. (it does kind of suck though). im afraid i have gingivitis.

I havent brushed my teeth THAT much in the past few years or so, i have a dentist appointment in 2weeks,?
don´t worry about gingivitis...... worry about periodontitis!!!!!! if you have it, fix it before even thinking about braces...
Reply:First off, start brushing your teeth at least 2x a day. Seriously, it is gross to NOT brush. You will have nasty breath and nasty teeth. and get the braces....no one wants someone with teeth that look like they are throwing gang signs!
Reply:There's clearly only one way to fix things, and you have the appointment. It's not like it hurts, the anxiety is in your head, not your mouth.


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Reply:I'm sure your dentist will do a deep thorough cleaning prior to putting braces on you, but you're going to have to improve your dental hygiene habits as your teeth are even more susceptible to decay/ problems once they have dental items sitting on/around them.


There are really fun tooth brushes these days, they do all the work for you, buy one. and toothpastes range from lemon ice to berry blast, get some, Listerine destroys plaque, gingivitis, etc...
Reply:Well I would start brushing using baking soda and wouldn't sweat the appointment that much
Reply:im only 14 and i havent been to the dentist in at least 5 years...





i never had the motivation to brush my teeth and never realized how bad it was not to brush until recently.. i just started brushing again(i used to do it about once a week)and its hard and i feel like its sort of pointless, since i already have tons of cavities. its like, why dont i just get all my teeth pulled and get some denchers already. i feel horrible for not doing it and i dread the next time i go to the dentist, which i know wont be for another couple years because of our low income.





i just suggest that since its only been a few years for you, then you just go through with it. your dentist will fix your teeth and maybe give you that motivation to keep it going(since im assuming that you will be paying for it, what better motivation is there?)





just dont sweat it, if that dentist makes you feel like an idiot or embarrasses you, then just get a better one.
Reply:you should have been brushing your teeth at least 2x a day, make it a habit to do so. Second, since you have braces, you should have been going to the doctor once a year at least, or once per 2 years max, how can you have waited 3 years? That's time long enough for you to take your braces off....Thirdly, how do you last 3 years without going to the doctor with a cavity, I can't even last 2 weeks with a cavity because its THAT painful. But....if you don't go soon, and really soon, i fear for your mouth





p.s. do you have a girlfriend? If you do, how do you manage to kiss her with an uncleaned mouth? It's just plain nasty for both of you...
Reply:I think the braces are a good idea if you are unhappy with the condition of your teeth. I have met many people in their 20 somethings that have chosen this point in their lives to get braces or a retainer, so it is not at all odd, and in two years your teeth will be very presentable. Also, braces aren't all overwhelmingly metal, talking to your dentist can reveal whether invisible braces are sufficient for you.





Secondly, gingivitis can be very serious and involves more than just bleeding gums. If you live with it too long, your teeth will fall out, to put it simply. However, it is reversible. There are prescriptions if it is most severe, but even better, a regularly scheduled teeth cleaning by the dentist will end and prevent it. Your teeth will be at their best under those conditions.





The best thing to do, which I believe you have already done, is to make the appointment and take care of it. Don't think about it or second guess it because you know its what you need. You'll feel better about your oral health and yourself in the end.
Reply:Your dentist will tell you everything you need to know. Try not to be embarrassed. Many dentists have changed their attitudes from admonishing patients about what they should have been doing all this time to future planning and care.I promise you that he/she has seen much worse. 21 isn't too late to turn your dental health around.





You might be surprised and find out it's not as bad as you thought. On your first visit the dentist will come up with a treatment plan that's spread out to fit your situation. Many dental problems have nothing to do with how well you cared for your teeth. You may not have to go with braces. Another way to go is to get all porcelain veneers or crowns and it's all done within a month.





There's many options out there that you don't know about. Talk it over with your dentist and don't be afraid!
Reply:First start brushing your teeth at least twice a day everyday. You dentist can and probably do a deep cleaning. Don't freak out about it just take a deep breath. You'll be amazed how much better your teeth will feel afterward. If you want braces then go for it. You can always get the invisible ones and no one will ever know that your wearing them. If you want a permanent fix I'd would look into lumaneers. They'll be straight and permanently stay white because they never stain. Good Luck at the dentist and remember take a deep breath everything will be fine! ;)
Reply:Relax. Start brushing your teeth two times a day. Use floss and a mouth wash. Im glad you are doing the braces. it will make it easier in general with everything.
Reply:That was a problem of years ago, dentist insulting remarks. If one does this to you simply get out of the chair and leave. Find another dentist. They considered themselves as gods. Too many dentist around today and if they want you as a patient will be understanding and sympathetic. If you are not treated as a human being report him. Th theADA for harassment and attitude. They will take actions against


Wait for his consultation on the needs, then take it from there. him.
Reply:I'm sorta in the same situation as Punk Princess except it's too late for my teeth. I'm 14 too, and my teeth are all rotten inside and keep breaking off. I already lost some molars and all my front teeth and now I'm gettin the rest pulled out since I don't have that many left that are any good. I haven't been to a dentist in over 5 years until recently when my teeth started crumbling and I lost a couple front teeth. I knew I had lots of cavities and felt like Punk Princess that there wasn't much use in goin nuts tryin to brush and floss really good cuz my teeth were already pretty rotten. Now I'm losing them all and have to get some fake ones to put in when we get the money. I didn't think this could happen at my age. You probly should go get checked out unless you want your teeth to go like mine did and have to get plastic ones.
Reply:I used to be in the same boat as you. I have really bad crooked teeth, i had about 14 cavities, from small cavities to deep ones. I had plaque all within me teeth and I have never been to the dentist before. First thing you need to do is start now. I am 21 and I started my treatments with my teeth when I was 20. The faster and earlier you go to the dentist the cheaper it will be overall. If you have gingivitis you need to get that taken care of, if it gets worst then later on you have to have gum sergery and it is very painful. They rip the gums from your mouth and scrape all the bacteria out of there. If you have cavities you need to get them filled too because it could turn into a root canal, same thing they are very painful and more money goes into a root canal then getting a cavity filled. Once all that is done consider going to a orthodontist for braces. Your teeth has to be in good shape before you can get braces. It seems like you need a lot of work but only because it took you so long to take care of your teeth. Brush them at least twice a day, floss as often as you can remember because food gets in between your teeth and gets into your gums. Thats how you get gingivitis. It took me a while to get my teeth cleaned and fixed up before i got braces. Your mind is on the right track that you need to get your teeth fixed, keep going until you have that hollywood smile. Becuz if you dont take care of them.. in 10 years you might not have any teeth to work with. Good luck. i think any kind of money and pain is worth being able to smile confidently without any embarassment.
Reply:Many orthodontists won't even look at you for braces until you've been cavity free for at least 6 months - so start brushing and flossing every day. They won't waste their time trying to straighten teeth on someone who won't take care of them. And, if you have periodontitis or bone loss, your mouth may not be able to support the braces. So that means that you will have to get all your teeth fixed and cleaned, then keep them in that condition. Then talk to your dentist about braces or what your next course of action will be.

Broken Teeth