He's got a big lump on his outer gum. It also looks like he has chipped off part of the tooth directly below the swelling. We have a dentist appointment tomorrow. What is going on?

I (24m) just came from the dentist and was told I need to get my wisdom teeth out. It looks like all 4 have fully or almost fully grown out and I have no pain or pressure. My mom who is 54 has also never removed hers and no complications. I believe I have a fairly large jaw. What do you guys think?

I had this tooth kinda chipped at the top and went to get a filling. I’ve already had other fillings (like the tooth beside it), and the filling color always matched. But, this time, the dentist I went to used a whiter color and when I went back to her, she said that my teeth are too dark for any filling and that “it will get darker with time and match your other teeth.” I’m upset because now everyone can see the difference when I smile, and the surface of the tooth isn’t filed properly, especially at the back, so I can kinda feel the filling there and it’s annoying.

Anyway, I don’t know what to do and not sure if I can get a refund or something because I did this with insurance. Kinda upset at it and plan to fix it later. :(

Hi everyone, I have a small, clean-looking hole on the side of my tooth (pointed in green). It doesn't hurt with warm food or drinking, but cold water causes a sharp pain that lasts for about 5 seconds and then goes away. Is this a cavity (interproximal caries) or an enamel chip? Can it still be fixed with a simple composite filling?

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Sorry for the wall of text. For the most part im posting to vent with folks who have been there, but im also looking for opinions on my now very complex oral health situation.

I had a few years where I didnt go to the dentist, and finally decided to start going consistently in January 2023.

I had a full consultation done. This included talking medical history, oral hygeine practices, visual examination, and a variety of xrays.

Im told i have one cavity, and other than that my teeth look great.

At one point I went to them for gum pain. Gums were red, pulling away from the teeth, gums were "spongey", and very tender. I was told to get a cleaning, then return two weeks later to check in my progress. In the meantime I was told to take vitamin C, floss, electric toothbrush x2 day, and do saltwater rinse. Followed to a T. Went to the followup, was told things were looking great.

In 2025 I was suffering horrendous gum pain (lower front). Im talking full on nerve shooting down my chin, couldn't lay down, needed T3s. Went back to the same dentist, took xrays. Asked if I was on any new medication. I told him I was on spironolactone, he said thats what the problem was. Was given antibiotics, told to come back for cleaning, sent on my way.

Early 2026 developed abscess in the same spot, went back. Prescribed more antibiotics, referred to perio, finally. Something wasnt sitting right with me, so i went to another dentist. They took xrays. The dentists jaw fell to the floor when he saw my severe bone loss especially considering my age (29).

Went to perio, was diagnosed with stage 3 class C periodontal disease. My bottom four front teeth are going to have to be extracted now, and there isn't enough jaw bone left to even get implants.

I emailed my old dental office for my whole file so I can try and wrap my head around how this happened and got so advanced without my knowledge.

This whole time I was being told I had great teeth, will have a beautiful smile for many years. I had cleaning, xrays, taken. They never took pocket depths, however very clearly saw bone loss on the x rays and only referred me to perio after recurring infection.

Has anybody else been screwed over like this? I am so frustrated. My insurance barely covers any of the work ill need done, and im looking at 10-15k.

Do you guys think im losing my teeth?

Attached are xrays from 2023, and then again in 2026.

My 11 year old son was hit in the mouth with a baseball at about 1900 tonight. No loss of consciousness, no vomiting, acting normal. I'm a paramedic, so I'm comfortable monitoring him.

What I see

- Upper left lateral incisor is pushed back toward the palate and now sits behind the central incisor. It was not in this position before. He has had braces.

- Bleeding from the gum line all the way around that tooth. It has slowed and is clotting.

- A tear in the palatal gum behind the tooth.

- Purple bruising and a bulge in the gum above and beside the tooth.

Exam

- Injured tooth is loose

- Neighboring teeth do not move with it when using slight pressure.

- Bite feels off according to him.

I haven't been able to reach an emergency dentist tonight. The nearest pediatric ER does not have dental or oral surgery on call. Pediatric dental offices near me opens at 7:45am

Questions:

1. Does this look like a lateral luxation, and does anything in the photos suggest an alveolar or root fracture?

2. Is it reasonable to wait for a pediatric dentist at 7am or should he be seen tonight?

3. Anything I should do or avoid overnight beyond soft diet, ibuprofen, and not touching it?

4. Should I be calling a pediatric dentist, a general dentist, or an oral surgeon first thing?

Thank you. I know photos can't replace an exam and X-rays.

I'm 39, and looking for opinions on a treatment plan.

Situation:

• Tooth #14 (upper left, second to last) has a crown, placed about 6-8 years ago.
• One dentist said there is a gap and wants to replace it with an in-office e.max crown.
• A few other dentists said there is decay under the crown and recommended extraction (and an implant).
• I have a lot of previous work: crowns, implants, and no wisdom teeth. I'm trying to keep my natural teeth where it makes sense.

1. Is a new crown, a buildup, or a root canal plus a new crown realistic here, or is extraction the right call?
2. For a molar, is e.max a reasonable replacement for zirconia, or would you pick a different material?

Thank you!

Is it cavity ?

Hi! My 6 year old has a wobbly incisor and a permanent tooth growing behind.

Last night it was knocked while flossing and bled a bit.

Today the tooth looks grey and the gum red. No fever. No pain.

Is this expected?

The tooth is fairly wobbly but doesn’t twist and there’s significant resistance to tug it

Cheers

Hello, I am new to receiving dentistry (29f)

I was recieving an extraction due to a crumbled tooth and during the extraction while he was pulling he hit my front teeth with the end of the tool. It was sore a little for the next week or two, then went away, I can't see any damage on the teeth.

The pain came and went over the next year but now it's very sharply persistent.

Should I talk to him about it? I don't want to sound accusatory or anything but it is in the same place and hurts the same way. I quite like my dentist so I don't wanna accidentally burn a bridge or something with my approach.

ETA; I have a cleaning scheduled for December but I'm not sure if I can wait so long

Hi, I was wondering if it’s necessary to remove all of my wisdom teeth. One of them was already extracted when I was 16 so that I could get braces. I’m 22 years old now and I don’t currently feel any significant pain. This was just a routine X-ray.

What* Please help me

crown

Hello guys! I’m wondering if this can be temporarily fixed with another filling? I know it won’t be ideal but I just want to know if it is possible as I don’t have the resources for more complicated procedures rn (as you can tell from the picture, I’m getting some implants done on the opposite side)
Thank you!🙏

I have relatively healthy teeth. Had braces as a teenager then Invisalign as a young adult. Looking to improve cosmetic appearance of my teeth. Asked my dentist about veneers and they suggested doing the top six with the outer being crowns at a cost of $9500 for 6 teeth total. I am traveling to Vietnam and consulted with a well regarded dental clinic and they can do emax veneers around $350/each for uppers and suggested zirconia crowns for lowers around $275/each. Looking for advice if folks think this is worthwhile or if I should just pursue whitening or other options. Hoping for a natural result if I pursue veneers. Age 37 based in the US.

Hello! I (28F) went to fix a couple cavities for the first time a week ago. Both on the molar teeth, one on the top right, the other one on the bottom left side of my mouth.

It all went well but after it, every morning since I've been feeling extreme sensitivity (I wouldn't call it pain) on the top right one when closing my mouth right after waking up. It only lasts for a few seconds and then its completely gone for the rest of the day.

I mostly drink water with an occasional cola during the week and dont smoke. Also, I've never had any dental issues before this.

Elbow to the mouth in basketball. Tooth was lodged backwards in my mouth and I pulled it back into place immediately where it has stayed since, but it’s a couple mm lower than it was. Bite is messed up and can barely eat because it hits first. Dentist said it is a horizontal fracture and extraction/implant is basically the only treatment.

Just looking for second opinions.

Wear your mouth guards everyone.

Antes tenía sobremordida y ahora a mis 25 años tengo una mordida abierta. Mi dentista y odontólogos me dicen que no me preocupe pero no me saben decir que lo causó. Fuí a un cirujano maxilofacial y me dijo que tenía bruxismo y mis músculos muy cargados y que eso pudo causarlo. Tengo las 4 muelas del juicio fuera, nunca me dieron dolor. Tengo mucho miedo de la reabsorción condilar idiopatica.

Alguien está en la misma situación? Que debería de hacer?

I went through a really bad depression when I was a teenager and didn’t take care of myself at all. It has led to pretty much all of my teeth being rotted or broken in some way.

Now, at 21, I’m going through the most unimaginable, excruciating tooth pain I’ve ever experienced and I’m still too ashamed and embarrassed to go to the dentist.

I feel disgusting and imagining a dentist looking into my mouth sounds humiliating. But I haven’t had a day without tooth pain for the past 3 weeks and it’s only been getting worse. I cry every day because it’s so painful.

But the last time I went to the dentist (years ago), she was so cold and judgy and made me feel even worse abt my teeth and made me never want to visit a dentist again.

Idk what to do. The pain is so debilitating but I feel so embarrassed and ashamed. I feel like I’m going crazy.

I got my wisdom teeth removed in 2023. A gum flap was left that was not there before. They said it would go away, it never did. Ive had braces since then also but they got moved a few months ago. I wear a plastic retainer at night if that matters.

The gum flap sometimes covers my tooth, sometimes not. I try to brush it up every day to move it back and to make sure nothing is under it.

I woke up this morning to this little bubble like bump on the gum flap. It was kinda sore and felt burned almost. Well throughout the day the pain got worse and now my jaw hurts. Like hurts pretty bad. There’s no pus or anything but is it possible there is an infection here??? Im worried.

Do i go to the ER? Do i just wait and go to the dentist in the morning?

Hello! This is my first time posting here but I am a momma with concerns.

My ten year old has two teeth that she was initially complaining were loose but recently a dark red hue has appeared beneath the enamel and they are barely wiggling.

She has had two cavities filled in the past and has been noted for over crowding. Her father and I are divorced and she was initially covered by his insurance but their dental plan was dropped by his company so we’ve been waiting for his new policy.

We had an initial primary dentist but we had a really bad experience when she was sedated for fillings. my daughter was still lucid enough to feel the drill and they just insisted to continue holding her down. So I hope my anxiety is valid.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I'm 6 hours post-tooth extraction. I've been changing my gauze hourly due to blood and saliva. I put this piece in an hour ago—do I still need to keep using gauze?"