Eating is all new again

[abcdefz]

I had my first ever cavities filled yesterday. No big deal, they weren't bothering me; they just showed up on X-rays about a year ago, I lucked into some cash a couple weeks ago, so I figured I'd finally go ahead and have it done.

Yeah, but anyway. The mouth isn't bothering me pain-wise unless I bite on something hard (a Tic Tac, an almond), or I drink something cold.

But one tooth's shape has changed, so I keep finding my tongue is fiddling with it while I'm not looking. And my bite is slightly different, so I'm conscious of my mouth and jaw when ordinarily we each just go about our business.

Anyone else here had fillings? (I'd assume so.) How long's this oddness last -- a month? It's nothing brutal right now, and stuff I see on the internet regarding discomfort says it may last three months (!) so I'm assuming that, in the real world, a couple of weeks to a month, probably?

P.S. Composite fillings, I think the material is called.

[QueenAdrock]

It should naturally grind down in the next couple weeks and return to your normal bite, but if it doesn't, call your dentist. He should be able to slip you in and polish it down for freeeee.

As for discomfort, it matters how big the filling is. I have them in my molars, and I still experience some sensitivity when it comes to cold stuff (if my mouth goes from hot to freezing cold, I'll definitely feel it there). But if they're just small cavities, it goes away in a few days, sometimes a week or so. But like I said, it depends on how big it is.

I have more fillings than anyone I know. I liked candy when I was a kid, and not so much brushing my teeth. :(

PS - If they're composite as opposed to amalgum, those will be naturally more sensitive too, I believe. It's not as strong as amalgum and will allow cold and heat to affect it more.

PPS - I need to quit my job.

[Yeti]

It is pretty damn good that these were your 1st fillings.
You had to pay out of pocket. That sucks. The dentist can be expensive so I am thankful I have dental.

I hate the dentist. I have 4 crowns. He grinded my teeth to the root then put a cap on. I also have the old silver fillings. You have reminded me that I have to go in for a cleaning. My teeth took a beating because I was a soda addict and I hardly ever floss. I brush and use listermint.

I dred my visits to the dentist. I think they use me for vacation money.

[abcdefz]

It should naturally grind down in the next couple weeks and return to your normal bite, but if it doesn't, call your dentist. He should be able to slip you in and polish it down for freeeee.






I would've just assumed they are what they are. Good advices! (y)


As for discomfort, it matters how big the filling is. I have them in my molars, and I still experience some sensitivity when it comes to cold stuff (if my mouth goes from hot to freezing cold, I'll definitely feel it there). But if they're just small cavities, it goes away in a few days, sometimes a week or so. But like I said, it depends on how big it is.



Ah. One is good-sized, surprisingly. They got in and there was way more decay than they'd realized.

Otherwise, small.



I have more fillings than anyone I know. I liked candy when I was a kid, and not so much brushing my teeth. :(




Yeah, me too. It didn't catch up 'til now.

Quit your job? For... a career in dental hygiene?

[Tompz]

Got plenty of fillings.

I've probably been to my dentist 20 times over the last five years. He's a friend of the family so I do trust him. I got my night-guard, or whatever it's called, for like 500 USD insted of the double. Still my wallet hurts.

It's sweet when the fillings are brand new and taste like peppermint. For like two hours.

[abcdefz]

I hate the dentist. I have 4 crowns. He grinded my teeth to the root then put a cap on. I also have the old silver fillings. You have reminded me that I have to go in for a cleaning. My teeth took a beating because I was a soda addict and I hardly ever floss. I brush and use listermint.

I dred my visits to the dentist. I think they use me for vacation money.



Yikes.

Yeah -- dentists must make good change. Guess that's why they call them "dentists."


Uh. Skip that.

No -- mine wasn't entirely out of pocket, but spending money on teeth which "never went bad" just seemed like throwing it away. So I got this bonus and figured, "Okay, 'Found money,' I'll do the stupid teeth."

I still resent it a little, but it's better than an eventual root canal, I guess.

Yeah -- I'm lucky, as far as the lack of cavities 'til now thing goes.

[abcdefz]

Got plenty of fillings.

I've probably been to my dentist 20 times over the last five years. He's a friend of the family so I do trust him. I got my night-guard, or whatever it's called, for like 500 USD insted of the double. Still my wallet hurts.

It's sweet when the fillings are brand new and taste like peppermint. For like two hours.



What's a night guard?

[Tompz]

Plastic thing in my mouth preventing me from grinding teeth. Its just molded transparent plastic.

[Yeti]

He grinds his teeth.

[abcdefz]

Ah. I still have a mouth guard from electroshock, so I just use that.

[abcdefz]

He grinds his teeth.



That must be painful on the dance floor.

[Yeti]

Like the one they put in RP McMurphy's mouth?

[abcdefz]

Well, I mean... I washed it...

[QueenAdrock]

Quit your job? For... a career in dental hygiene?

I've worked in a dentist office since 2003...went to only-Saturdays last year (when I got my full-time library job), and my last day is this Saturday. I hate it there. :p

I've probably been to my dentist 20 times over the last five years. He's a friend of the family so I do trust him. I got my night-guard, or whatever it's called, for like 500 USD insted of the double. Still my wallet hurts.

Damn! I got my night guard for free, but my dentist usually does them for around $300-$500, depending on insurance. I'm really grateful I was able to get one, because I grind like no other when I'm under stress, so I have to wear it every night now. :(

[abcdefz]

I've worked in a dentist office since 2003...went to only-Saturdays last year (when I got my full-time library job), and my last day is this Saturday. I hate it there. :p




Now that you remind me, I remember some of this. :D

Wow -- you're almost out of there! Hope they give you a good farewell.

[Nuzzolese]

If anything is off about my body, I always have the weirdest dreams about it. Has this been bothering you enough to affect your dreams? When I had my wisdom teeth removed, I had dreams about getting the wrong teeth pulled by accident, and having to use Legos for teeth!

[QueenAdrock]

Now that you remind me, I remember some of this. :D

Wow -- you're almost out of there! Hope they give you a good farewell.

Pizza and wine. Why wine and not beer? I dunno, I'm pretty sure he's trying to hit on me though. :(

I'll just politely refuse and steal the bottle for later. :)

[SB00774]

This makes me grateful for Ontario healthcare.

My plan at work is good too so stuff costs me hardly anything. I don't really need a whole lot ever but it's good to be reminded that if I did need more I wouldn't have to be saving so much for it. It covers the basic stuff like fillings etc. not anything fancy.

I really should get braces for my bottom teeth though. Double crooko as an ex BF called it :mad:

you hardly ever see it and I'm ancient so I don't know if it's worth the bother:confused:



That's good you went ahead and got the work done though, save you some nightmares in the years ahead (y)

[abcdefz]

If anything is off about my body, I always have the weirdest dreams about it. Has this been bothering you enough to affect your dreams? When I had my wisdom teeth removed, I had dreams about getting the wrong teeth pulled by accident, and having to use Legos for teeth!



Whoa. That's wild.

Me -- no, never. A year or so ago, I learned that "teeth falling out" is a common dream across the board, and I flipped. I've never, too my knowledge, had a tooth dream, ever.

[abcdefz]

Pizza and wine. Why wine and not beer? I dunno, I'm pretty sure he's trying to hit on me though. :(

I'll just politely refuse and steal the bottle for later. :)




Maybe he thinks/believes wine is classier than beer.

Depends on the wine and beer, though, doesn't it?

One time I really liked white zinfandel was in high school with pizza. The wine is so sweet, but you drink it and it makes the spiciness in the pizza pop -- or at least, I thought it did at the time. That's been years. But I dug it.

[abcdefz]

This makes me grateful for Ontario healthcare.

My plan at work is good too so stuff costs me hardly anything. I don't really need a whole lot ever but it's good to be reminded that if I did need more I wouldn't have to be saving so much for it. It covers the basic stuff like fillings etc. not anything fancy.





My insurance covered basic fillings, but if I wanted the composite fillings, I had to pay extra. That's the deal, there.

The basics are pretty much free ($50/year deductible, I think). But if you want anything beyond primary dental care, you have to chip in.

[Yeti]

This 7 year old boy's mother got him a grill. He swallowed the gold teeth.

Ha!
http://www.local6.com/slideshow/news/13770922/detail.html?qs=1;s=1;dm=ss;p=news;w=400

[QueenAdrock]

AHAHAHHAHA

He'll be pooping bling in 2 days.

[abcdefz]

I feel comparatively intelligent. (y)

[SB00774]

My insurance covered basic fillings, but if I wanted the composite fillings, I had to pay extra. That's the deal, there.

The basics are pretty much free ($50/year deductible, I think). But if you want anything beyond primary dental care, you have to chip in.



that's good that the basics are free. are metal fillings the basics?
I haven't had to get any in a while and when I was a kid we got whatever the metal one's are. That was in Ireland though, not sure what it's like here.

[abcdefz]

that's good that the basics are free. are metal fillings the basics?




Yup -- that's them. When I was a little little little kid I thought those were where someone had hammered nails into my dad's teeth.



I haven't had to get any in a while and when I was a kid we got whatever the metal one's are. That was in Ireland though, not sure what it's like here.


Hopefully it's good coverage. Maybe it's time for a cleaning just to check out the plan. (y)

[Nivvie]

The temp sensitivity may not fade, so if after the three months you've still got it, ask for the filling to be coated in varnish.

I've had two fillings which didn't sit well, and although it was uncomfortable, I ignored it. In the end the whole tooth cracked in half right the way up to the root due to the pressure (turns out the filling was stronger than the tooth, so created a new weak point)
The second was painful but the dentist said it seemed fine to him, then the whole white of my eye was dark read with blood one morning, due to nerve problems and TMJ due to this stupid tooth.

My whole family have bad teeth, it's genetic. There's even a cousin who had no adult teeth, just baby ones, that didn't fall out due to no adults pushing them through. Had dentures by 23.

My mother was a dentist, she was very ashamed of me. I'm sure she would prefer you as her offspring, you with your first fillings at 40 for pete's sake!

[abcdefz]

Wow -- that sounds lousy. My sympathies!

My own teeth feel better today. They're starting to not recoil at refrigerator-cold water, etc. One Tic Tac hit one tooth the wrong way, and another still feels a little foreign, but otherwise, I don't think my body's going to reject the transplants.

*crosses fingers*

[mikizee]

Don't have any fillings.

That is all.

[abcdefz]

Is it really bad if you dont floss? I just brush twice a day



You brush twice!?

The dentist and assistant are practically begging me to floss. I've probably flossed less than 50 times in my life, I'll bet. It's amazing my teeth aren't nastier than they are.

[abcdefz]

/

[QueenAdrock]

You brush twice!?

The dentist and assistant are practically begging me to floss. I've probably flossed less than 50 times in my life, I'll bet. It's amazing my teeth aren't nastier than they are.

Twice is the minimum, according to dentists...once in the morning, once at night. In the morning, it gets the bacteria and morning breath grossness out, at night get rid of the food and crap that's built up during the day. And flossing once at night, though I'm not as good about it as I should be. One piece of candy it can start damaging your teeth within a couple minutes and other foods can start eating away at teeth relatively soon, too, so it's important to brush at least twice.

Brett's dad brushes after every meal. I guess that's mandatory if you're a dentist. :p

[abcdefz]

I was kinda being silly., sort of. But I was legally an adult before I knew that you are, indeed, supposed to brush morning AND night.

I always thought "brush after every meal" was dentistry paranoia. :o

[Randetica]

that shit always fell off after i ate some hard candy

anyway one of my teeth is almost all gone and i wish i could replace it with a gold tooth

[Randetica]

flaaavor flaaaaaav!

[insertnamehere]

Whoa. That's wild.

Me -- no, never. A year or so ago, I learned that "teeth falling out" is a common dream across the board, and I flipped. I've never, too my knowledge, had a tooth dream, ever.

I've had dreams about that pretty often. Usually they start to crumble a little bit, and i can feel little tooth crumbs all in my mouth, it feels the same as when you have leftover debris in your mouth after getting a filling, and then i start to mess with my teeth and be like "whats going on?" and the more i do stuff to the the worse and faster they crumble until i have just little jagged tooth parts sticking out of my gums and my mouth is full of enamel crumbs, and then i start to freak out and get upset cause im hideous and i dont have any teeth.

it's not a very fun dream.

[insertnamehere]

also, i suck at brushing me teeth. really it's just that i procrastinate too much. i'll be sitting there, thinking of brushing my teeth, and then im like, eh, whats a few more hours, i'll do it in the morning. of couse, ive had fillings in all of my molars, in some of my baby teeth, and the back of one of my front teeth. um... i dont know how many fillings that is, but it's a lot.

i want to get a teeth cleaning but i dont have any dental insurance. this lack of insurance means that ive only ever been to the dentist once a serious problem has developed that cant be ignored anymore. i really hope for the day that i have a job that offers dental. i really would like to be able to do the regular cleanings, as well as have the option of treating problems while they're still small. right now if i have any dental needs, my parents have to pay for it, so i have to wait on them to give the go ahead to spend the money.