Pain while flossing - cavities at gumline? - Dental Health Message Board

annaf · 11-05-2007, 10:59 AM

Hi everyone,
I am experiencing pain while flossing around all my premolars - some of them are without fillings - some with. I don't feel much pain otherwise. I have been to a couple fo dentists and they say that they can't see anything on X-ray. Since I am literally paranoid about my teeth - I looked at them more closely and I felt I could see the shape of the tooth cave inwards near the gumline. When I mentioned this to the dentist he said that is the natural shape of the tooth - I can also see some stains which look like cavities - but the dentist assured me that they are just stains. He said if I was really particular...he could get rid of them by spraying with a laser. I expalined the pain and he said that it was just sensitivty.
My question is this - is it possible to have a cavity between teeth near the gumline which painsonly on flossing that is not visible on X-ray or otherwise detectable by the dentist? Dentist said that best way to tell is form x-ray for cavities between teeth.
If yes, waht can I do about it - I don't want to have afilling especially if the dentist does'nt think I need it - but I still feel I should be doing something.
I brusha nd floss religiously - and am planning to start using Prevident (recommended by one dentist). The other dentist recommended Sensodyne instead - which one shoudl I use? I also have generalised sensitivty in all these teeth - so its tough to tell where its sensitivity and where cavities...please help..

glowing4 · 11-05-2007, 12:34 PM

My dentist told me to use Colgate for sensitive teeth as they, above the others, have found the correct PH for sensitive teeth. It has seemed to help me quite a bit. He also said that Colgate will work much faster while Sensodyne can take up to a month to feel a difference.

It sounds like you are obsessing over your teeth. I don't mean that as a criticism for I have done the same thing many times and have always had teeth problems. Even though it is difficult, try to trust and believe your dentist. Yes, most cavities do show on an x-ray and it sounds as if he has done a pretty thorough check of your mouth. You are always entitled to a second opinon, so if you are not comfortable then go and get one. Sometimes feeling better emotionally can help to feel better physcially. Some of us need more reassurance and that is perfectly OK. The other thing to remember is that it is your mouth. You know where it hurts and what that feels like, so don't be afraid to speak up about it. Dentists often look at me like -what???? But, on the other hand, often I have been right - it was a nerve or an infection. So, while trying not to stress too much, also be aware of how your mouth feels. Anything serious will usually be intense pain, minor things will cause minor discomfort.

Hope this helps.

glowing4