# I'm so goddamn tired of dental problems. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 10, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365 "2014-03-10T17:42:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/41 "2014-03-12T16:40:59Z")
Of course it is. It’s what happens when you try to help some random stranger in the internet. > **[Smoking Teeth Confusion](http://iaomt.blogspot.com/2007/04/smoking-teeth-confusion.html)** > > Dr. Laidler’s criticism, Response to: "Smoking Teeth" - the truth gets "smoked out", reduces to the following propositions. First, he conten... ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/42 "2014-03-12T16:42:02Z")
I usually end up hoping the morons who support “mercury is good” end up with all root canals. And unending health problems. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/43 "2014-03-12T16:44:51Z")
“dental plan!!!” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/44 "2014-03-12T16:50:14Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > I usually end up hoping the morons who support “mercury is good” end up with all root canals. And unending health problems. I don’t believe anyone is saying “mercury is good” - again - your using generic “Mercury” which is not the same as what is used in amalgam fillings - so your starting off your stupid tirade with a bit of a misdirect and misinformation right off the fucking bat. What has been said, repeatedly is that there is no evedence that Amalgam fillings are, in and of themselves, harmful due to the mercury content within them. Get that thru your fucking head, you insolent moron. Secondly - if you’re at the point of needing fillings - you are solving a different problem that can already lead to root canals, etc., so its no surprise at all that people that get fillings (of either type) also have potential for other related issues. I say this as I am going thru my own current round of pay the piper after having neglected dental care for 2 decades - its a special kind of hell to be sure - but your quackery and scaremongering is not helpful - in fact, it leads to problems. So - go - enjoy your fucking nonsense - but don’t expect to “help” others when you are so clearly fucking wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/45 "2014-03-12T16:54:48Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Of course it is. It’s what happens when you try to help some random stranger in the internet. FWIW, my current dentist does not use amalgam fillings (I had no idea anybody still did), so your well-intentioned efforts are not needed, at least for me. Thanks anyway. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/46 "2014-03-12T17:05:22Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > It’s why I have a lot disdain for “experts” who don’t know shit about what they are trying to talk about. > > [Like the idiot on quackwatch](http://quackfiles.blogspot.com/2005/04/smoking-teeth-truth-gets-smoked-out.html) That “idiot” is not from quackwatch, and he is also a doctor. And the video is still misleading for not clarifying what is what is actually seen or detected, in reality very little mercury was, the conclusions by an overwhelming number of experts stands. [http://www.ada.org/8426.aspx](http://www.ada.org/8426.aspx) > [@](#): > > Mayo Clinic: > “Amalgam fillings are safe. A great deal of research has examined these fillings and found them to be an effective, long-lasting treatment for dental decay. Amalgam, or silver, fillings are made with mercury, silver, tin and copper. In some cases, other metals may be included in amalgam fillings, too. Amalgam has been used for many years to replace decayed areas within teeth. It’s an excellent material for this purpose. Amalgam is a strong, stable substance that holds up well when placed in a moist environment. It’s also a good choice because it can tolerate the dramatic changes in temperature within your mouth.” > > U.S. Food and Drug Administration: > “FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapor associated with dental amalgam fillings are a cause for concern. Based on this evidence, FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. The amount of mercury measured in the bodies of people with dental amalgam fillings is well below levels associated with adverse health effects…FDA concludes that the existing data support a finding that infants are not at risk for adverse health effects from the breast milk of women exposed to mercury vapor from dental amalgam. The estimated daily dose of mercury vapor in children under age 6 with dental amalgams is also expected to be at or below levels that the EPA and CDC consider safe.” > > International Journal of Dentistry: > "According to the available articles and data reviewed in this paper, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) Mercury released from dental amalgam restorations does not contribute to systemic disease or systemic toxicological effects, 2) Allergic reactions to mercury from dental amalgam restorations have been demonstrated, but these are extremely rare, and 3) Available scientific data do not justify the discontinuation of dental amalgam use from clinical practice or the replacement with other single-tooth restorative dental materials.” But even scientists and doctors are “idiots” in FX La La land. ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/47 "2014-03-12T17:26:22Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > I find it helps to think about something soothing while undergoing these procedures. Something that will whisk you away from the everyday, so you can associate the pain with this calming experience, rather than trauma. Something redolent of smoothness, sleepers, travel … yes, I’m talking about trains and dental meditation. I wouldn’t let you ride in my car. I have a strict no pun policy. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/48 "2014-03-12T18:00:57Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > I find it helps to think about something soothing while undergoing these procedures. I usually think “turn up the nitrous dude, I still feel something” ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/49 "2014-03-12T18:25:34Z")
Back to bitching about teeth, I’m dealing with a sinus infection that was somehow caused by my dental cleaning last week. I could handle that, but the antibiotics are awful, and are messing up my stomach big time giving me the runs. I’m eating yogurt and taking probiotics, but this is still misery. I had no idea this could happen, but the doctor told me he sees it all the time. My teeth are in pretty good shape, so no idea what caused it. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/50 "2014-03-12T18:28:05Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > Back to bitching about teeth, I’m dealing with a sinus infection that was somehow caused by my dental cleaning last week. I could handle that, but the antibiotics are awful, and are messing up my stomach big time giving me the runs. I’m eating yogurt and taking probiotics, but this is still misery. > > I had no idea this could happen, but the doctor told me he sees it all the time. My teeth are in pretty good shape, so no idea what caused it. its all the mercury they pumped into your root canals - its a conspiracy with the toilet paper producers! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/51 "2014-03-12T19:18:34Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Yes, but the root canals have their own set of problems, an issue fought tooth and nail (pun intended) by those who do root canals. A crown doesn’t necessarily equate to a root canal, although all root canals do equate to a crown, if that makes sense. I have never had a root canal, but I have a mouth full of crowns- something like 7 or 8. > [@Cat Whisperer](#): > > My crowns all ache and are sensitive; they’re apparently not supposed to hurt at all, but I’m lucky to have very sensitive teeth. Yay. You should seriously look into having your dentist recheck how those fit together. I had one of mine hurt and be sore all the time, and it turned out that it was touching the tooth above it when I shut my mouth, and the pressure caused it to constantly be pissed off. When they adjusted the way they fit together(the bit with the blue waxpaper), the pain vanished and hasn’t come back. Since then, I’ve been extra careful about that step- making them check it 3-4 times at least. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/52 "2014-03-12T19:21:33Z")
I’m hesitant to mention the antibiotics that kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Before you object, consider that of course they can make antibiotics that kill the bacteria. In fact, killing bacteria is pretty damn easy to do, when they are on the surface of your teeth. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/53 "2014-03-12T19:23:56Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > I’m hesitant to mention the antibiotics that kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. > > Before you object, consider that of course they can make antibiotics that kill the bacteria. In fact, killing bacteria is pretty damn easy to do, when they are on the surface of your teeth. Are you actually suggesting the routine use of antibiotics to prevent tooth decay? Do you know nothing about how multi-drug resistant bacteria come to be? Or the positive effects of many oral bacteria that you’d be indiscriminatingly wiping out? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/54 "2014-03-12T19:37:12Z")
Streptococcus mutans isn’t just everywhere in the environment. And S. mutans is not present at birth. It is an acquired infection. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/55 "2014-03-12T19:38:22Z")
And Streptococcus mutans can’t develop a resistance to H2O2 or ethanol. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/56 "2014-03-12T19:42:42Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Streptococcus mutans isn’t just everywhere in the environment. And S. mutans is not present at birth. It is an acquired infection. No bacteria are present at birth. All bacteria are acquired after you’re born, or during the delivery process. You pick up your normal micro flora your whole life. There’s a difference between infection and colonization. We are colonized with 100s of species of bacteria. We are exposed to many more regularly. Only some ever become infectious, by invading and destroying cells and tissues. Most come from external exposure. Some are endogenous when a normal, colonized bacterium ends up somewhere it doesn’t belong (like a UTI), overgrows (like a yeast infection) or your immune system is suppressed. You really need to take my microbiology class. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/57 "2014-03-12T19:43:47Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > And Streptococcus mutans can’t develop a resistance to H2O2 or ethanol. Those are not antibiotics, which is what you said. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/58 "2014-03-12T21:34:19Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > I’m hesitant to mention the antibiotics that kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. > > Before you object, consider that of course they can make antibiotics that kill the bacteria. In fact, killing bacteria is pretty damn easy to do, when they are on the surface of your teeth. Sure, but the issue isn’t getting the ones on the surfaces of your teeth, but rather the ones hiding in the crevices and other places not easily reached by floss, brushes or mouthwash. Plus, they’re in biofilms which aren’t easily killed- you have to mechanically break them up. Then… they grow back really fast. The thing that I read about that was the most intriguing to me was some kind of probiotic- rather than letting the bacteria do their thing naturally, the idea was to colonize the mouth with specific strains that aren’t harmful. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/59 "2014-03-12T22:46:40Z")
It certainly seems possible to kill the major cause of tooth decay. > **[Coconut oil could combat tooth decay](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-19435442)** > > Coconut oil attacks the bacteria behind tooth decay and could be used as an ingredient in dental care products, says Irish research. Imagine if there were no more bacteria to rot your teeth. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365/60 "2014-03-12T23:07:55Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > It certainly seems possible to kill the major cause of tooth decay. > [Coconut oil could combat tooth decay - BBC News](http://www.bbc.com/news/health-19435442) > > Imagine if there were no more bacteria to rot your teeth. Yes, it would be nice. I’ve even seen studies using genetically modified bacteria that don’t secrete the acids used to repopulate your oral flora. Widespread use of antibiotics ain’t it though. Neither is eradicating all you oral flora. They function as a first line of defense of your innate immune system. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-goddamn-tired-of-dental-problems/683365.md?page=4)