JFF How Whacked Are Your Teeth? or Do You Have a Beautiful Smile?

My teeth were very crooked growing up.
When my top front teeth came in I had a gap between them wide enough for a finger to fit between them.
Other teeth were sideways and staggered.
It took 7 years of braces and 8 adult teeth pulled (wisdom and bicuspids) in order to fit all my remaining adult teeth into my mouth (expanders had not been invented yet in the 1970's) but they all line up beautifully now and I have a very tight bite - they all meet where they are suppose to.
I've had a few cavities and my gums started to recede earlier than most people but brushing and flossing are not difficult and my gums rarely bleed.
Last year a first molar broke (while flossing) and I got my first crown.
We had fluoride in the water growing up and fluoride treatments at the dentist and Mom always had us take Flintstone chewable s one a day.
My dentist says my teeth are bright and white for a person my age (50's) - I don't drink a lot of coffee, cola or eat other staining foods, I've never smoked (or chewed tobacco), and brushing every week or so with baking soda and peroxide is all the whitening I've ever done.

Some people genetically have teeth that have very thin enamel and they just get more cavities than other people no matter what they do.
There are a lot more options for bridgework and false teeth these days.

I have pretty bad teeth. I've had a ton of cavities, and a few root canals. I've even had 1 tooth pulled and I have a bridge in. I brush, floss, and use mouth wash daily, and get my cleanings every 6 months. It seems my kids are getting my teeth as well. I did have braces when I was a kid and they look great now, but only I know what's going on on the inside.

Veneers. I did not have good dental care as a kid and had to pay for mine to look half decent.

Ha! your mom sounds like mine (natural PB, homemade yogurt, no to low sugar everything)! That said, I have really good teeth. Passing mid thirties and only had one pin-sized cavity. Had it filled and at the same time my dentist sealed my teeth. I never did the "swish" (a fluoride treatment) in grade school either, but went to the dentist regularly (every six months) for cleanings, etc. My little sis is a hygienist, too. LOL.

I really think a lot of this is hereditary. Your siblings just got the genes that helped form good teeth. It stinks. Not to be a downer, but yes. Your teeth are very problematic. But kudos to you for staying on top of it, no matter how frustrating it is!

Many peoples teeth do not form correctly and naturally have large holes or crevasses. Back in our day they did not fill these or seal teeth as a preventive measure, but rather waited until decay was formed and then they would drill and fill. So, like you, I have feelings in most of my teeth, all of my molars. My kids inherited the same teeth as me, but now most dentist will seal such teeth as a prevention so cavities do not form so easily.

I have a beautiful smile and it cost my parents a FORTUNE, so I maintain it as well as possible. My husband's parents also spent a fortune on his teeth and... well... let's just say it's a celebration in our house when he DOESN'T have a cavity every year.

According to our dentist, it's all genetics. Both of my parents have really strong and "healthy teeth". My husband's parents have weak teeth that shed enamel like a cat. As a result, he has to use special mouthwash and other tooth products to keep his teeth from softening.

We both brush and floss every day. Both had braces. Both go to the dentist every six months. Drink coffee and wine, but no soda. Same lifestyle, totally different outcomes.

Genetics are a funny thing. Nothing to do with money... but everything to do with the genetics of your teeth!

I had lots of cavities to be filled until I reached my late 20's or early 30's. I joked that all surfaces were filled. After that I had no cavities until I reached my 50's. My brothers, born after me, have good teeth with very few cavities over the years. My mother didn't take prenatal vitamins with me, tho she did with my brothers. She also grew up poor. She suggested that is why my teeth were so soft. My father had dentures by the time he was 20. So, I think genetics had something to do with it too.

I didn't have dental insurance for several years after I retired and now I once more have cavities. Regular care does make a difference. I also have broken teeth because the fillings wore out. I haven't had fillings replaced. My cousin had his fillings replaced and didn't have broken teeth.

My top teeth are even and well spaced. Genetics, I think.

I, too, brush,use mouth wash, and floss. My dentist said flossing twice a day is the most important thing to do. Receding gums are usually an indication of insufficient care or a diet inadequate in certain nutrients. I don't remember which ones. We need to have the tartar cleaned off regularly. It's tarter that pushes on the gums causing them to recede. Ask your dentist about that.

I began using a Water Pik when my gums were bleeding. That stopped the bleeding. Everyday, twice a day flossing also reduced the amount of bleeding.

I'm with Rebecca B... I got my dad's side of the family's teeth. Semi-perfect on the outside but HORRIBLE on the inside. I'm only 21 but ALL of my teeth are in horrible condition. It SUCKS.

Even with dental insurance, I can't afford to have them all fixed. It really sucks whenever I'm with someone and they offer me something sweet... Oh, can't have that yummy piece of chocolate because it will hurt my teeth. Sigh...

I have a great smile that was paid for with years of braces...and then teeth bleaching. (My mother's idea when I was 15, she's insanely superficial...although I'm grateful for it now.)

I also just have good genes there.
I don't do much for upkeep. Short of brushing my teeth daily, I do nothing else. And I haven't had cavities in years.

DH...on the other hand...has a 10 minute tooth routine. I've timed it. He does it twice daily, complete with gum stimulation and flossing. His teeth suck. And they're yellow.

So some of it is just luck of the draw.

I can relate but i do have a beautiful smile. I brush twice a day and floss at night and still get cavities. I have had about 4 or 5 root canals with the last one being in January. My Mother has bad teeth and unfortunately I inherited them. No matter what I do I end up spending lots of money when I go to the dentist. My dentist finally told me I inherited the bad teeth gene. I told him he didn't have to tell me that my teeth told me a long time ago that I had the bad teeth gene. I have gone to several dentist just to make sure they were not just trying to take my money. (sigh). I do everything possible to make sure my daughter's teeth are healthy. It's no fair but I guess it is what it is.

Straight teeth that land right on top of each other all the way around my mouth. All my wisdom teeth are in; they made room in back. No cavities. They are pretty white, but not bleach white. Several years back, there was what appeared to be the beginning of a cavity. I panicked and stopped eating Skittles and got more vigilant with my tooth-brushing. It seems to be gone. I don't go to the dentist, so there might be something underlying, but my aunt is an oral surgeon and has promised to replace my teeth perfectly should they take leave of my mouth.

mine are pretty whack. and i had braces! but was not at all good about keeping my retainer in, and it shows. i've got a bunch of fillings, one missing tooth (that can't really be seen), and a few oddballs that grow at strange angles. my teeth don't meet at all when my jaw is relaxed. i can put 'em together but i have to make an effort to do so.
they've come a long way with plates and bridges and things! my mother-in-law's false teeth are much prettier and more natural looking than her tiny grey real ones. i imagine i'll end up there one day.
some of us just aren't born with great teeth.
khairete
S.

I was "lucky" enough to get my dad's side of the families teeth.. all of them but my aunt had false teeth in thier 30's.

They look perfect from the outside of the tooth but they decay from the inside out. So while a perfect looking tooth would break when I would bite into something.

I got tired of pulling a tooth one by one.. so at 29 I just and had all of my upper teeth pulled ( I only had the 8 front teeth left). So I have been sporting an upper denture for 7 years and have never been happier once my gums healed.

Now my bottom teeth are perfect. Grew in straight and I have only one that has a filling. I have never had a problem with them.

People give me weird looks when I tell them I have a denture at my age, but it was the best decision I could have ever made.. I have never regreted it and definatly don't miss the tooth aches and the trying to get in for an emergancy visit due to a tooth breaking and the pain caused by it!

Mine are not good. I spend a ton of time brushing, flossing, mouthwash, water pic, etc. But still I would guess 90% of my teeth have a filling. I have had 4 root canals and a bridge. Woo hoo! And I need anther root canal done right now that I am putting off.

My husband, who takes terrible care of his teeth by the way, has had only 1 cavity in the 10 years we have been married.

I sure do hope my kids get his teeth genes!!!

I am in my second year of dental hygiene school. All of my 13 class mates have perfect beautiful white teeth. I am literally the black sheep lol. I have horrible amalgam fillings, crooked lower teeth, fluorosis (white spots) impacted wisdom teeth, crowns and root canals. Luckily my gums have stopped receeding now, after my teachers gave me a root planing for all the calculus I had below the gum line - that could be what is causing your bleeding. My gums have not bled since I had that done. I used to not floss at all ever. Now I floss daily, because otherwise if you think about it, those areas of your teeth are never being cleaned, that is one of the main reasons people (kids included) get cavities between their teeth. So get flossing your kids teeth - if they touch, they need flossing, if there is a gap, then the toothbrush can get in there.
You probably have periodontal disease, from your open bite, your teeth are not occluding correctly. Not hitting at all on one side, and hitting way too hard on the other. I'm guessing you have more problems on the side where your teeth hit, than the side where your bite is open. I'm sure your sister can clean your teeth regularly and give you plenty of advise!

Like everything else, your teeth's health are genetic.

I would make a plan with the dentist to save your teeth. At this point, you can't go back but you can prevent future problems. Do you get regular cleanings? I go 3 times a year because it's better for my teeth which although look good, are filed with cavities and crowns.

Good luck.

JB:

Unfortunately, it's your genetics. Your teeth are lacking the enamel to protect your teeth.

If your gums are bleeding - you need to see your dentist and be proactive. Gum Disease (gingivitis) is NOT something to mess with. Go to a dentist as soon as you can. Tell them your gums are bleeding - bring your tooth brush that you use with you (you should be changing toothbrushes every 3 to 6 months). You might even want to go to your primary care physician (not meaning to scare you) however, sometimes...bad teeth are a symptom of other health problems. So please get a full physical and ask for blood tests as well...tell them your gums are bleeding and you want to ensure you are otherwise healthy.

You have 32 teeth, so you can't have had 50 fillings...will, yes, you can - but it's not a new filling - it's a "refill".

I have good teeth. They are "perfect" via braces/orthodontics. However, my enamel is wearing thin from all the brushing I did as a kid with hard tooth brushes. Funny - my brother and sister brushed ONCE a day - each have one or two cavities - that's it. me? Six - all in the back.

It appears I got my dad's teeth - they are messed up - cross bite, over bite, etc. My brother and sister - while they have had orthodontics to straighten teeth - have my mom's teeth.

I beg of you. PLEASE!! Go see your dentist and your PCP!!! Get a full physical and blood work!! Work with your dentist - if you smoke, drink, have any mouth piercings (these can affect dental health as well) and get this resolved. You might be brushing your teeth too hard/aggressively...you might be doing it right. in any case...PLEASE see your dentist!!

My folks (divorced) were so stuck in a hot argument about who would pay for my braces that it never happened. They're a little crooked/misaligned, but am lucky-- I very rarely get cavities for some reason. The up-sides of the misalignment: not hugely noticeable and because they aren't perfectly straight, I actually rarely get stuff stuck in them.

I think that teeth, as well as most things in life, are not always how they appear from the outside. Some have beautiful teeth, but have underlying troubles we wouldn't ever guess. My teeth have had their problems.. root canals, missing adult teeth, fillings, abscesses, etc... but looking at me, you'd only see the one missing tooth that never existed.
My poor daughter was diagnosed with "soft teeth" or "soft enamel" and had a near mouthful of cavities by the beginning of Pre-K. :( We had the 1/2 of her mouth that the most cavities in it worked on and they took out nearly 2/3 of her teeth!!! They wanted to do the other half when she healed, but we decided not to after speaking to a different orthodontist. Since she was so young and they were baby teeth, they would only need to be removed if they hurt, and since the roots weren't deep at the stage, they never did hurt her. She was a champ and never was affected by the lack of teeth. Now, she's nearly 10 and has a gorgeous smile! :)
I think a lot of tooth problems are hereditary, personally......

My dental health is fantastic. I had my first little pit filled a couple of years ago. It was so small, I didn't have to have to be numbed or anything. But, I got my dad's side of the family with the teeth placement. I had a bad malocclusion young. This was causing my gums big problems. So I had to wear braces- twice. First time to correct my crossbite, the second time to correct my overbite. Now my smile is good, but my jaw is aligned differently due to the orthodontics, and I suffer from TMJ. Boo.
My dentist said that mouth chemistry and enamel is hereditary. While you can practice good hygiene, you are still at the mercy of your genes. For some people, like me, that's good. For others, like my husband, it's bad.

I think it is a combination of genetics and care. You can only do so much with what you were given. I happened to have (apparently) been blessed with pretty good genetics in the tooth department. I had a lot of fillings as a child--all in molars in the back, which my own children had sealants applied to avoid. They didn't do sealants back when I was 10. Now they do, so we got it for our kids as preventative to help avoid cavities in those deep crevices in their molars.
Neither have had any cavities to date (ages 14 and 11).

Other than the early cavities in my molars, I am pretty good. The dentist I began seeing after my kids were born asked me if I had had braces, since my teeth were so well aligned, etc.. Nope. Just blessed. We certainly couldn't have afforded it if I had needed it. I have 2 brothers, and they also have similar teeth to me. No braces, and none were needed... No problems with the teeth.
I did have my wisdom teeth removed when I was about 22.

I sometimes get sensitivity issues, since I lost a lot of enamel during my pregnancies. The same dentist who asked me about orthodontic work, asked me if I had ever had an eating disorder, since the enamel damage came from vomiting daily for 18 months (2 kids x 9 months). He said my teeth looked like those of someone who had suffered an eating disorder at some point. So I have to be careful of acidic things that can further damage my teeth.

I brush several times a day. I don't use toothpaste every single time (when I get up and before I go to bed, I do use toothpaste). For the most part, it is a mouth refresher (per my dentist).. just actually brushing properly with the right tooth brush is what matters, not the paste you apply to essentially freshen your breath. Although, using the wrong paste (those with whiteners in particular) can increase sensitivity issues, so I avoid them, which is getting harder to do, since every toothpaste wants to brag about "whitining" your teeth. :(

I floss several times a week, although not daily.
But I go to the dentist 2 x per year for cleanings like clockwork. So do my kids and husband. Any problems are discovered early. My son (the 14 yr old) did have a small pit that was repaired--before it turned into a cavity.

My husband has had some issues with cracking teeth (got in implant for the first one), but another is headed that way. I suspect that he could have benefited from braces when he was younger (his teeth are fairly crowded), but he didn't get braces and his teeth probably do not align correctly, which can contribute to weakened and damaged teeth. Every time you bite, if your teeth do not align properly, you could be adding to damage to your teeth. The pressure is uneven on the teeth, which contributes to wear/damage.
Which is why we opted to go forward with orthodontics for our kids--not aesthetics, but long term health of the mouth.

I don't think I have the prettiest smile... my teeth are not the perfectly rectangles that the models sport and they aren't gleaming white. But I am not embarrassed by my smile, either, and don't anticipate needing a huge amount of dental work in my future.
My dad has had a few cracked teeth/caps over the years. My mom had gum disease in her early 40s and had a bridge/partial installed way back then. (She is 71 now).

Bleeding gums should never be ignored. It is one of the first signs of something awry. Whether it is specific to the mouth is something for you to find out... it could be some other underlying issue, but typically is the first major physical indicator of gingivitis, which progresses to full blown gum disease, lost teeth, receding gums, pain, etc. Please don't ignore it.