My daughter has a friend who is 20 years old. He has had problems with his teeth since middle school and his parents didn’t do anything to help him. Now at 20 when he should be smiling and enjoying life he is afraid to show his teeth because he doesn’t have many and the ones he does have are decaying or already decayed. I feel terrible for this kid and if I could afford to get his teeth fixed for him I would. He works for a construction company but for right now it’s under the table and he has no insurance. His mother recently got laid off and he is helping her pay her rent as well as his. Which I find funny because she didn’t care about his oral hygiene growing up but now that she needs the help it’s fine for him to help her. That’s another discussion though that I could go on and on about. Anyway – he doesn’t have the money or the insurance. My question is what are his other options? Are there any? Can he get veneers or will he need dentures? Are there any options for him? I really want to see this kid have a chance at a good life and although having teeth doesn’t make a good life having self-esteem and confidence does and right now he is lacking both. Thank you for any serious suggestions you may have.

I have FANTASTIC oral hygiene (I really do brush my teeth after every meal I have, and I use mouthwash at least 3 times a day, I am practically OCD with my mouth)

However, whenever I drink water there is this weird taste in my mouth (like tasting bad breath, and I know for fact I don’t have bad breath) and it isn’t on my teeth it is more on the roof of my mouth. I tried brushing and gargling, but whenever I drink water it is there!

What is it? Does anybody know anything about this? Please please help!
I don’t know it happens with most if not all kinds of bottled water and occasionally with cups of water

I just bought some tea tree oil for oral hygiene — I want to add a couple drops to water for a mouthwash or add it to my toothpaste. i read on the bottle that it’s not safe to ingest — but several website say it’s okay to use as long as you don’t swallow it. I’m still concerned about the toxicity issue — has anyone used a few drops of it and had any issues??

Right. I’ve had braces for approximately seven months now, to fix my canines/fangs/eyeteeth. They grew in too high and the braces are just to pull them into my gumline where they should be. The teeth are now mostly in line and my ortho is working on closing up gaps. I have no teeth problems, my dentist and ortho both say I have excellent oral hygiene and am taking care of things excellently. But this morning I woke up and the gums between my left upper canine tooth and the molar next to it, is swollen, so that the gum is actually touching the braces-wire. I’ve flossed but am getting nothing out, and it’s not sore unless I touch it. Should I be concerned about this or is it just a normal part of the braces process? I’ve read before about the metal of the braces causing gum irritation but I didn’t know if it would cause swelling this bad, and in such a short period of time?

Thanks!
Just wanted to let you know that I’m 22, an adult with braces, so I don’t have parents to ask ;) I do have wax, which I put on my brackets when they rub against my lips, but haven’t had any rubbing in months and haven’t had to use it. And the brackets weren’t touching the gums either.

Fluoride was first added to toothpastes in 1914 – says wikipedia but it says also that "On August 1, 1960, the ADA reported that "Crest has been shown to be an effective anticavity (decay preventative) dentifrice that can be of significant value when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care."" And since, moderne science doesn’t support that it’s working for adults teeth (only for children it’s been proofed) SO WHY it was added to toothpastes 56 years before it was proofed to have any "good" effect ?? And why history does not tell who’s idea it was originally to start adding fluoride to the toothpaste in 1914 ?? And further more, what was this mysterious person’s profession, job, occupation and motivation to get through his agenda about adding fluoride to the toothpaste. "Everybody" is using it twice a day but nowhere is to be seen the real original why.