Ptsd And Dental Woes

[Abstract]

Hashi,
You inspired me to read up a little and although I had read a bit about re-mineralisation a way back it seems there is quite a lot of info on it. Interested to hear more about how this worked for you. I like the sound of some of the natural alternatives to toothpaste too.

Realistically I imagine there is only so much that can be done but it can't hurt.

 

[Hashi]

I use GC Tooth Mousse (recaldent). I'm not involved with them and don't get any financial benefit so I hope I'm allowed to say that. There might be some way to order over the internet but if so I've never found it. However, you can find a dentist who sells it. Doesn't have to be your own dentist, I actually go into a dentist who's nothing to do with me to buy it. I saw it in their window and they're cheaper than my dentist. They order it for me in packs of six.

I brush my teeth with water only, then gently apply toothpaste afterwards with a soft brush and minimal brushing. It took a bit of getting used to but I much prefer it now.

Teeth and gums can and do regenerate themselves if we give them the right conditions. My gums have actually improved - reattached and are starting to grow back. Teeth can also heal, including decay being reversed. My front teeth had lost so much enamel they were almost transparent in places, but they're getting better now. I have a crown that has lost quite a bit of its cement, which is under watch by my dentist because of the increased risk of bacteria growing in the gap, but that has been under watch for four years and is still fine.

I'm sorry for all the problems you have. The advice you've been given is presumably from professionals who follow the conventional wisdom and practice? There are a small number who go against the grain, and a number of their patients who see healing. It's the usual story. I happen to know a dentist (in a non-dental, non-PTSD capacity) who is now retired but since the 80s he practised allowing teeth to heal naturally. He's still vastly in the minority, but there are some of them out there, and some healed teeth to show for it.

Really good cleaning that causes no damage is the basis of everything, it's very important in giving the teeth what they need to heal. My dentist and hygienist think my tooth success is all down to how well I clean my teeth now. Do you have a good dental hygienist?

 

[Abstract]

Thanks for that Hashi. I am a little inspired now. I had read up a year ago but never went as far as toothpaste. It makes sense to me on a logical level too.

I would say I have a good dental hygienist but really she is standard and none have ever discussed this type of approach with me.

Yes the advice has all been from orthodontists or specialist dentists and the only information I have received on re mineralisation has been from my own reading in the past.

I don't want to underestimate what can be done but I also don't want to overestimate either. I am assuming the volume of the tooth can't increase? If there is only 20 % of the tooth left I am assuming all that can improve is the quality of it. ?

As I say, my gums are not a problem and neither are cavities actually. It is erosion and breakage of the teeth and the damage to the jaw. Regardless though it sounds like something I want to do and maybe it can achieve more than I think. ?

 

[Hashi]

I am assuming the volume of the tooth can't increase? If there is only 20 % of the tooth left I am assuming all that can improve is the quality of it. ?

Well, conventional knowledge will probably say the volume can't increase, only the quality. But I think otherwise, and think my front teeth are building back up a little (my dentist made my mouthguard a little loose there because I was stressed about the pressure on cracks I have in those teeth, and it fits a little bit more snugly now). I've never actually discussed increase in volume with the dentist because I assumed that's what we're both talking about when we say re-mineralisation.

I believe in healing, and I know that we don't necessarily hear about it when it happens. I've posted before on the forum about how I injured my hand and was left unable to move my thumb, and was told by three different doctor/consultants that I'd never regain the use of it. When I did (because I believe in healing and didn't give up, and did tons of stuff to help it heal) I thought they'd want to know all about it and write papers. That was naive. They couldn't get me out the room quickly enough, presumably so they could go back to what they "knew" without having it contradicted.

Having had that experience, and having worked in a medical research organisation and learning about what makes it into published research findings and what doesn't, when people say research shows that something isn't possible I don't spend too much time worrying about that. I imagine all the people, like me with my thumb, for whom it was possible but we're just not told about it. (This is also why I don't pay attention to the idea that PTSD can only ever be managed, not healed.)

If you're talking about only 20% of the tooth left, then obviously that would be a lot of healing. This might not be something you like the sound of, I don't know, but I would be doing a lot of visualisation for something like that, as well as doing the other things. I wouldn't expect the whole tooth to grow back if it was me, not because I think it's impossible but because healing is hard work and that would take the kind of energy I don't think I could give it. Healing from PTSD uses up quite a lot. :)

I was going to say that as long as the tooth still has a nerve in it then it's alive and always working to heal if it can (ie depending on the conditions). But actually the thing that got to me most about my thumb was everyone telling me it was dead - so if my dead thumb could heal...

 

[Abstract]

Thanks Hashi. :)
I don't suppose your friend still converses with people about these issues? Via email? I do believe in the potential for healing and also have a realistic idea of validity of research and so called facts. Not as a result of work but from knowing a little about the politics and limitations involved through people I now. There is politics in every field and science is no exception. I also have a friend who is a philosopher in one of the sciences and speaking to her is enough to turn any supposed fact on it's head and open ones eyes.

I also believe PTSD can be healed by the way. I think what people define as healed varies as well and I have an idea of mine. I have felt that way about other mental health stuff too.

I also need to try to plan though as having almost no tooth material left other that the front part of my front teeth is further aggravating my jaw. If it was possible and yet is going to take 10 years to build back most of my tooth volume then I think I still need to try to find a way to at least have some caps. Sadly it's not just one or two teeth that are on about 20 % or less. That's why I would find it useful to know what someone else has experienced or witnessed. How long have you been doing this? That will help me have an idea of the rate your teeth are growing.

I need to start thinking creatively and see how I can start chipping away at the problem rather than just feeling overwhelmed and "ignoring" it. It doesn't help that when I am triggered with a specific incident I struggle to use a toothbrush. Shame. Shame. :x3:

not because I think it's impossible but because healing is hard work and that would take the kind of energy I don't think I could give it. Healing from PTSD uses up quite a lot.

Yes it does! :)

I like the idea that I can strengthen my teeth and make them look and be healthier rather than transparent and weak though.

- so if my dead thumb could heal...

Resurrection. ;)

What a nasty thing to tell you though. And it couldn't have been that dead. Not unless it was gangrenous and falling off...

 

[Hashi]

I don't suppose your friend still converses with people about these issues? Via email?

Sadly I don't think so, because he's retired now and the only thing he emerges for now is to do with poverty, politics and dental health. But if you can bear to google forums on this topic, I think you'll find people who are following the same principles.

If it was possible and yet is going to take 10 years to build back most of my tooth volume then I think I still need to try to find a way to at least have some caps

I would imagine you could stabilise things enough to have caps. In my case, there was a question about stabilising things enough to get veneers on my front teeth. I was told after about three years that they were stable and strong enough for this if I wanted to go ahead. But the remineralisation means I'm going to wait and not rush into those options.

My main reason for thinking I don't have the energy/focus to put into healing my back teeth is the amount of dental work I've already had. I'm not sure how to visualise healing for a tooth that has been mostly replaced by a crown, say. I just don't know what implications that has, and haven't focussed on that very much.

How long have you been doing this? That will help me have an idea of the rate your teeth are growing.

It's just become four years since I switched to my current dentist and started doing all this. I think the rate of improvement would have been higher if those four years hadn't coincided with beginning therapy for trauma and needing to give more energy to that.

What a nasty thing to tell you though. And it couldn't have been that dead. Not unless it was gangrenous and falling off...

Well, that isn't too far off the actual situation. But I was so infuriated by people telling me my thumb was dead instead of helping me, when I decided to make the affirmations I was doing into a song, so I could sing that to myself and reinforce healing in that way, I chose the tune of Molly Malone and kept the chorus - Alive, Alive Oh!

 

[Abstract]

Thanks Hashi, :)

I had a little read or two and found some interesting stuff. I want to look at ways to increase saliva other than chewing the gum they recommend and also attempt to get myself to take vitamin D again.

- Alive, Alive Oh!

:roflmao:
Oh my goodness. Perfect. That's great it worked.

I too was told I would loose a finger but my little one which is very unimportant compared to a thumb. Miraculously I didn't and I didn't even sing to mine. ... although I would have if I had thought of it.

Maybe I will start to sing to my teeth...