Bizarre problem (long description) - Dental Health Message Board

ZeroPlusOne · 08-18-2006, 03:49 AM

Okay, first, I'm in my 30s, never seen a dentist, and never really paid much attention to my teeth. (No money, no insurance, never had any problems before.) Yesterday, however, my tongue noticed a sharp spot on the back of my teeth, so I went and looked in a hand mirror (with lots of light) and probed around a bit with my tongue and finger. It's hard to tell exactly, but best that I can make out, the three back teeth on the upper right hand side of my mouth have been pushed outwards, and there's something else - what appears to be a oddly shaped extra tooth - behind them. I don't think it's a piece of any of the nearby teeth, they all seem intact and the same size/shape as their counterparts on the opposite side. It also seems somehow partially fused with or attached to the fourth tooth from the back as well as having a thorn-shaped spike pointing inwards (that's the sharp spot).

What's even weirder is that I have this odd habit of using my tongue to scrape off any tiny food bits stuck to back of my teeth and I never noticed it before. You'd think something like this would have been around quite a long time. Is this something that should be looked at ASAP, or can it wait? (I desperately need what little money I have for other things.)

lola32 · 08-18-2006, 07:55 PM

without looking its hard to say but I think I can make a fairly good educated guess. since you have had no dental care i would bet money that what you are feeling is Calculus, which is hardened plaque or tartar. It can really build up over time. I have seen teeth with so much calculus around them that the teeth were almost ivisible to see. Most likely a piece of this calculus has broken off, likely while eating and you swallowed it so didn't notice until your tongue found it. And now you are feeling the sharp edge of the remaining calculus. I understand the finances keep a lot of people from seeing a dentist but check around, many states have a health department or dental clinic for low to no income individuals. these places call on practicing dentists who volunteer their time so don't worry about the level of care. I hope you can find somewhere to go. I would say contact your local health dept. and see if they can direct you to a "free" clinic. Another option is a student clinic at your local college or university. These students have to have "hands on" credit to complete their education and you may get help for free or close to it. I hope I have helped and I hope you find the care you need.