Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 5/21/2006

Question
Hello,
I am a 21-year-old with extremely good dental hygiene and what I considered decent teeth.  They're relatively straight, no correction was ever required, and I've had a total of three cavities.  My dad has had to have several teeth extracted and has many crowns.  I brush gently after every meal and before bed with a medium brush, followed by rincing with alcohol-based mouthwash, and I floss a couple times a week, and have no taste for sugar or cigarettes.

A couple months ago, I was flossing inbetween my bottom front teeth when part of the bottom tooth chipped off right at the gum line, leaving a small gap where the two teeth meet at the bottom.  This confused me as I treat my teeth very well and floss gently.  My front top teeth have both chipped multiple times seemingly spontaneously during eating simple foods.  Last night, after eating noodles, I noticed one of my top front teeth had been seriously chipped on the side to the point where I now feel I need surgery to repair it as the tooth was chipped deeply enough to create a sensitivity.

I won't be able to see a dentist for a while.  Is it possible I just have genetically horrible teeth?  I care for my teeth better than anyone I know and everytime I go to the dentist the hygienest thinks I'm incompetent.  They didn't start to weaken and deteriorate like this until 5 years ago.

This latest chip made me take a closer look at my teeth and behind my front teeth is a black buildup.  It's less pronounced, but also along the gum line of most of my other teeth.  What could this be?

Could it be my toothpaste, "Rembrandt for Canker Sore Suffers" which lacks Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?  It doesn't bubble up like normal toothpaste, but I have to use it or I at all times have horribly canker sores which plagued me my whole life until switching to this toothpaste 3 or 4 years ago.

I'm on my way to the dentist in a couple weeks but meanwhile these worries are plaguing me.

Thank you

Answer
Josh,
I cannot give you any definitive answers without seeing you in person. It is possible to get small chips at the edges of the teeth from some things that do not mean you have horrible teeth. One possibility is wear of the edges. As they thin, they are prone to small chips. This wear could be from your bite or from a grinding habit. Have your dentist evaluate both of these ideas. Another possible cause is habits. Some people in their jobs or whatever chew on items or hold them with their teeth. This can also cause the teeth to wear or thin out and thus be prone to chipping. I do not know what that black buildup is. It could be stain from coffee or smoking. It could also be stained calculus or tartar. These can be removed with a good cleaning. I am not sure if you are due for a cleaning. Let your dentist look at things. Do not worry. I am sure all will be okay. If you are that worried, move up your appointment. Explain the worry to your dentist and see what they can do to move you up sooner.

Good luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS