Metal Mouth Message Board

For about 3 weeks now, I have been experiencing tooth sensitivity. I first became aware of the problem when I drank something cold and felt the pain. I thought it was one of those things like when you have ice cream and you feel the coldness in the teeth but not enough to warrant a problem because it does not continue. Anyway, it continued and thought it was due to the intense treatments I am receiving (I will be having orthognatic surgery in the summer). Lately, I have not been feeling it so much but yesterday brought me a new concern: the tooth is a tad bit darker than the rest, almost like a very light gray stain.

How sad this makes me feel! I have always taken care of my teeth and floss with a water pic. My dental visits for a cleaning do not yield anything for concern. Can someone tell me something that will give me hope? I am afraid of losing that tooth. Of course I will be calling my dentist and I will go for a walk-in visit. I just feel so overwhelmed with school, work, and being the sole provider of my family and wonder if I could have done anything to prevent this from happening to me, like seeing warning signs before I felt the pain at first.

Hi, is the whole tooth darkening or just a part of it? My ortho warned me that I may get darker spots on certain teeth ( something to do with the movement of the tooth) that would then need to be filed away, only the surface. I can't remember what he said would cause it but he said it wasn't anything to worry about. If you are really worried just call your dentist, I'm sure they would either be able to reassure you over the phone or call you in to check it out. Good luck

[quote="Bracedforbraces"]Hi, is the whole tooth darkening or just a part of it? My ortho warned me that I may get darker spots on certain teeth ( something to do with the movement of the tooth) that would then need to be filed away, only the surface. I can't remember what he said would cause it but he said it wasn't anything to worry about. If you are really worried just call your dentist, I'm sure they would either be able to reassure you over the phone or call you in to check it out. Good luck[/quote]

Thank you very much for your response. It did relieve the anxiety that I am feeling about the tooth. I will definitely be calling my dentist for an appointment anyway, but this seemed to be a reasonable response. I have never had any problems with my teeth besides needing the surgery and braces, and this issue caused great concern and unbelievable anxiety and stress.

Thank you again, for your response and will post again once my dentist checks me out.

I am smiling again. :D

P.S.: It is just a little bit more than the edges of the teeth that are dark.

Good luck, hope it all goes well

For the sensitivity, start using a toothpaste with Potassium Nitrate in it... after a few weeks, it should help. If you can, pick one with the word "Enamel" in the name. These are low-abrasivity formulas that will not wear down teeth since braces-wearers have to brush them so often and for so long.