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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsTrump induced dental problems.
Ok, so it finally happened. I chipped one of my front teeth. I did not even realize that it happened until about an hour later when I ran my tongue over my front teeth and thought that one of them felt very sharp and jagged.
I went to look in a mirror and realized that the bottom of my right front tooth had chipped off leaving one little pointy edge. There is no pain and I was trying to think what might have happened. Then I remembered that I got a package from Amazon and was having a hard time opening the box, so I used my teeth to grab the edge of the tab to pull it open. That must have been it. I can't think of anything else.
Anyway, I have always had very strong, healthy teeth and have always gotten very good checkups, but have fallen off a bit since I have moved back to Boston. However, I have noticed that over the Trump years that I had been constantly clenching my jaw and even my front teeth ALL THE TIME. I would get headaches from the tension and realize that it was from the tightness in my jaw/mouth.
I read an article a while back in the NY Times where dentists were reporting that they were seeing more and more patients with cracked and chipped teeth since Trump became president than ever before. Significantly more. Just wondering if any of you have noticed increased dental issues. Also, how much did it cost to get them repaired?
My BIL is a dentist with his own practice up in southern Maine and he always comps family and friends, but I don't want to take advantage. I have dental insurance which isn't great, but it's something. However, it's really annoying and kind of unsightly (even though I don't go anywhere w/ out a mask). Just looking for some advice since I have never really had to go for anything but a cleaning before since I was a child having my wisdom teeth removed.
Would like to hear your experiences. Thanks!
MiniMe
(21,719 posts)I think they put some wax or something on it, I didn't realize it until I got home and the wax fell off. Took a while to get to the dentist because of Covid. They fixed it no problem, but it was expensive. More than I thought it would be.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I am also worried about going to a dentist because of Covid since they are right in your face. The dentist doesn't scare me, but the exposure does. Also, the expense kind of scares me as well.
Can I ask you what the rough ballpark figure was? I have no idea since I have never paid a dental bill in my life. Every visit has always been either covered by insurance as an adult (preventative) or by my parents and their insurance as a child. I have never even had to submit a form.
MiniMe
(21,719 posts)Had to wear a mask until you were seated in the chair, they took your temperature and asked appropriate questions about have you traveled anywhere. Have you felt ill. Since I was about a year past my usual cleaning date, had my teeth cleaned too, and I had lost a crown and had to get that glued back on (at least I didn't swallow the crown). Altogether, it was about $600. Can't break it down farther than that. But I felt safe going to the dentist. I did have sanitizer in the car and cleaned my hands when I got back into the car. That part has become habit.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I appreciate it. I have been very careful, but I am just worried about them (dental professionals) being exposed to so many people during the day and so close to the face.
I wish that we were closer to getting a widespread vaccination program. I am way down on the list, so I won't be going anywhere unnecessary for a while.
Glad to hear that you are doing much beter these days! Stay healthy!
MiniMe
(21,719 posts)And had the bypass in 11/2019, just before the pandemic started.
Laffy Kat
(16,388 posts)Seeing how careful they are I am no longer afraid of making appointments.
Laffy Kat
(16,388 posts)You're probably grinding them while you sleep. I know from experience. Ask your dentist about a nightguard. The good ones need to be custom to your mouth. Your insurance should pay a portion of the cost and it will be worth it. These last four years have been very hard on all of us.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Good advice! I am sure I am grinding them at night as well, since I don't sleep well either, or at least haven't for the past four years.
I will definitely look into it. When it rains, it pours. I seem to have all of my issues coming to the surface at once. I don't feel old, and I'm not really old, but I suppose this is what it is like to get old. Where things just start falling apart simultaneously.
Take care and have a good evening!
SallyHemmings
(1,823 posts)Was the first time in three years I slept without a mouth guard. I was a year in the nightmare when my dentist recommended it.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I have read from numerous sources now that the Trump years were responsible for increased dental issues. It's a real thing.
SallyHemmings
(1,823 posts)Coventina
(27,195 posts)I was having weird jaw pain, my dentist sent me to a specialist when he determined it wasn't a tooth problem.
The specialist diagnosed it as a sprained jaw.
This was about two weeks ago.
Yes, I've been stressed out about Trump.....
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Dear, Coventina! That sounds serious! You must be doing some serious stress jaw grinding to throw things that out of whack. What are they recommending to cure you?
The man is a damn wrecking ball. I have no doubt that he has done serious damage to me and many others physically and mentally during the time he was in office. I wish someone would file a class action lawsuit against him and sue him for every last penny.
Take care of yourself and make sure you get the care you need.
Coventina
(27,195 posts)I have to ice my jaw 15 minutes out of every hour.
Thanks for the well wishes!!
It's a really embarrassing ailment! Who knew that jaws could be sprained?!?!
Not me!!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)There has to be something better than ice? No need to be embarrassed. I feel so sorry for you, it sounds so terribly painful. Not to mention the inability to eat anything but puree and other soft foods. Are you at least able to sleep? What is the recovery time on that?
They should at least be able to give you some meds to relax. It sounds like a nightmare! Please take care. Do you have someone with you who is helping you?
Coventina
(27,195 posts)I can sleep, thankfully.
I'm already over the worst part, thankfully. Total healing in another 4 weeks or so.
Kind of like spraining your ankle.
I am fortunate in that I do have my spouse. He's been really supportive about getting me soups and other soft food.
Thanks so much for your care and sympathy!
I hope you can get help for your tooth as well!!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I am happy to hear that you will be well soon! Take care of yourself!
Coventina
(27,195 posts)to take care of myself, now that the future looks just a little bit brighter.
I dreamed of having the Biden/Harris admin., but the reality is even better!!!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I honestly feel like a huge weight has been lifted. That constant undercurrent of anxiety is gone. I know things won't be completely perfect, but they will be so much better!
elleng
(131,176 posts)but my dentist's making a few $$$ now, back to the office next Friday!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I know it is for me. I never had this problem before him and it seems to be going away now. Anyway, take care of yourself!
applegrove
(118,832 posts)was all straight. He said it was not worth it to cap and it may not work well. I don't think he charged me. Took 3 minutes out of a regular check up and cleaning. My front teeth look perfect.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It's not a massive chip, it's only noticeable because of the part that didn't break off, so I kind of have a snaggletooth. I hope it's that easy. Thank you for sharing your story!
It's just embarrassing because I have always had such healthy, strong teeth. I don't know why it should be so humiliating, I suppose these things happen when people get older, but I am not that old (57) or unhealthy and I suppose this makes me feel like this is one of the first steps to decay. It just kind of freaks me out.
applegrove
(118,832 posts)It is not like your teeth are falling out like they do for people over 83 and in serious failing health and the Trump stress is almost all gone.
I will say i visited a dentist and he looked at my mouth and say "ooooh eeee aaaahhhh! you are grinding your teeth. You need a mouth guard". I paid $1000 or so. My mom paid actually. I was lucky. I slept with it. Didn't like it. Next time i saw him i was sitting alone in the chair getting my floride treatment when i heard him from the next room with a patient "ooooh eeee aaaahhhh! you are grinding your teeth and need a mouthguard". So i never used my mouthguard again and never went back to him. No dentist has noticed i grind my teeth since. I don't think i ever did.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)$1,000 for a mouth guard! That's insane! I am definitely NOT falling for that line. I will defer to my BIL, as I know he won't steer me wrong. I don't trust anyone these days.
applegrove
(118,832 posts)Maybe it was $750. Something i could not afford. You are lucky to have a Dentist in the family.
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,647 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Don't know what that is.
Niagara
(7,682 posts)We've been to the dentist several times during the pandemic began. We are scheduled for another cleaning this March. Our new dentist took over our retired dentist office. Our new dentist has Covid precautions such as waiting in the car until we're called on the phone. They only allow 2 people in their waiting lobby at a time and a mask is required. Everything is sanitized and this includes writing utensils. We sign a form that we're not exhibiting any signs of Covid and that we haven't traveled out of state or the country, that sort of thing. Our new dentist wears the plastic shield besides wearing a mask.
I would hope that all dentist and dental hygienist are tasking Covid precautions seriously at this time. I would call them and ask about their precautions since I've read other DUers comments about not all of them having precautions in place. Obviously, you want an office that is following the correct procedures.
Also, When I was slinging school lunches at a junior high school, I started to have pain in a section of my gum that's right above a canine tooth. Our then dentist looked at it and said that he couldn't find any evidence of nightly teeth grinding but thought that perhaps I was clenching at night. It made sense since I was waking up for work with my fists clench on top of chest on the daily.
I ended up quitting that job in early 2017 and my gum is still messed up but not as bad as when I was working that stressful job. I would like to clarify that it wasn't the students that was stressing me out. My kitchen lead would bad mouth everyone including the Director and other workers who were stationed at other schools and who she didn't know on a personal level. I told her that I needed help at a certain time since I was trying to do 2 different jobs at the same time while her favorite workers were standing around talking and doing nothing. She would then send people to help me after I completed both jobs. This happened every Monday through Friday.
So yes, stress can cause dental issues, especially night or day clenching. Hope this helps.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Very helpful. I absolutely believe that stress of any kind can be harmful on all systems of the body, including your mouth. It's sounds stupid and cliche, but I never thought it would happen to me.
However, enough stress can break down even the healthiest body or destroy the strongest teeth. I grew up with the best dental care and my dentists always remarked on how strong and healthy my teeth were.
Well, today I found out that I was not immune to dental issues, despite all of that. Years of clenching and grinding my teeth have finally taken thier toll. I have noticed that since Trump has left office, I have not been clenching my jaw and have not had my usual chronic tension headaches. It could be a coincidence, but only time will tell.
I am so sorry for your unhappy job experience. Some people can be really awful, but sacrificing your heath isn't worth it. I am glad you quit. You deserve to be treated better than that. I hope things are much better for you now.
LuckyCharms
(17,460 posts)I cracked a wisdom tooth by just breathing I think lol.
I weighed the risk of going to the dentist. My main concern was that I damaged the tooth so badly that I would end up having to get a root canal or something. I REALLY didn't want to go for fear of Covid exposure.
Long story short...I ended up going and he pulled the tooth.
In the mean time, I have not had a dental cleaning since, I think, October 2019...so that's about 15 months as of right now. I normally get them every 6 months religiously.
During this time, my bottom front teeth started turning brown, and browner, and browner. Despite careful brushing, using baking soda, etc,. those stains were not coming off. I needed a cleaning in the worst way, but there was no way I was going to risk Covid because my teeth looked like shit. So I bought one of those ultrasonic cleaners (or whatever they are called) from Amazon. I got one of the more expensive ones, and sure enough, it worked like a charm. It completely removed the stains. Now, I just use it every month or so for maintenance.
It takes me almost 10 minutes to brush my teeth. I first use a gum detoxifying toothpaste, then a whitening toothpaste, then floss, then waterpik, then tongue scraper, then mouthwash. I've been doing this since I had the tooth pulled, and sure enough, my teeth look great now and gums are nice and pink.
Here's what I would do in your situation. See if you can get a few well lit close up pics of the chip in your tooth. Text the pics to your dentist BIL and see if you can wait for any repair. You want to make sure that the tooth will not go bad, thus requiring a sure trip to the dentist, with most likely, a more complicated procedure. If he tells you it will be ok to wait, I would just wait to have it looked at. Try to keep your tongue off it though...you'll drive yourself nuts if you keep feeling it!
That's my free, unprofessional advice. Good luck!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I will definitely ask my BIL for advice before I get taken for a ride by a dentist down here in Boston.
I know he will offer to take care of me for free (he's in southern Maine), and I will consider it as long as he gets some reimbursement from my insurance company, however, if I can get it fixed down here for a reasonable price I will probably take that option.
My teeth have been in very good shape until now, but I am interested in the product you are using to make your teeth so white. My teeth aren't bad, but I would like them to be whiter. It sounds like a miracle product!
You are so right about keeping my tongue off it though! I am having a hard time avoiding it though and it is driving me insane. I just want it fixed immediately so that it is not such a distraction!
Thanks for your free, unprofessional advice!
LuckyCharms
(17,460 posts)Caveat: This will not whiten your teeth, but it will remove stubborn stains so your teeth are back to their natural color. Good luck!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Too afraid to go, so this seems perfect and not too expensive. Seems like money well spent. My teeth aren't very stained, but I used to get a cleaning twice a year in NYC and just have not been that vigilant here in Boston. I still have $$ left on my Amazon Christmas gift cards so I think I will get this!
Thanks again and hope you are doing well!
LuckyCharms
(17,460 posts)It comes with a broad attachment (about 1/8 inch wide) to do the main surface of the tooth, and also, a pick-like attachment to do between the teeth. Start off on the gentle setting until you get used to it. It comes with a little wrench to put the attachments on.
Now here's the thing...you cannot tell that the thing is on unless you hold the attachment end against a hard surface, such as your tooth. Only then will it make a very high pitched, but not very loud sound. If you hold it against your tongue or gum, you won't hear it. It will be difficult to tell if it is removing stain at first, but just keep working at it, and you'll start to see the stains coming off. I'm so glad I found this thing...mine were getting kind of nasty looking. I hope it works well for you! Oh. one more thing...be careful with it. You're going to want to take the pick attachment and go down under the gum surface, since that is where a lot of plaque accumulates. This is probably ok, but please be careful and do not go deep because you might damage your gum. You'll see what I mean when you start using it. If you feel the need to go beneath the gum line, go very shallow, or not at all, just to be on the safe side.
EDIT! Also, only use on your natural teeth! Do not use on crowns or caps.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It sounds great. I only have my natural teeth, minus the part that just broke off, so it should work well for me.
I just got a dental appt. for Tuesday morning, so we'll see how that goes. I have put it off for too long.
LuckyCharms
(17,460 posts)zanana1
(6,132 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It's amazing, but I feel so much more relaxed now that he's gone. I hope it stays that way.