Tackling decay in 13 teeth

I guess it’s more about stopping things from getting worse than seeing dramatic changes right away... That part took me a while to accept.

Totally get this. When my dentist told me I had 10 spots to watch, I felt overwhelmed and honestly kind of hopeless at first. I expected Prevident to work like magic, but after a month, nothing looked different. What helped was tracking little things - like less stinging when I drank cold water. That made me realize it was actually working, just not in a way you can see right away. Sticking with the routine is tough, but those tiny improvements add up.

I expected Prevident to work like magic, but after a month, nothing looked different.

Story of my life - thought my teeth would turn into pearly white fortresses overnight. Instead, I just noticed my morning coffee didn’t make me wince as much. Progress is kinda sneaky like that...

That’s kind of how it went for me too - didn’t see much in the mirror, but my teeth felt less sensitive after a few weeks. I still get nervous about new spots showing up though. Has anyone actually had visible changes with Prevident, or is it more about stopping things from getting worse?

- Same here - my teeth didn’t look any different, but they definitely felt less “zingy” after I started Prevident.
- I kinda wish there was a magic whitening effect or something, but nope... just feels like it’s holding the line.
- Still peeking in the mirror every morning, hoping nothing new pops up. Is that just me?

Still peeking in the mirror every morning, hoping nothing new pops up. Is that just me?

Not just you - I do that too, especially after getting braces. It’s like, one day there’s a new spot and I panic. Prevident helped with sensitivity but yeah, no whitening for me either. Do you notice any weird texture changes on your teeth? Sometimes mine feel almost chalky after using it.

Sometimes mine feel almost chalky after using it.

Honestly, I’ve noticed that too, but I kinda think the chalky feeling is a good sign - it means the fluoride’s sticking around and doing its job. I’d rather have that than sensitivity or those weird translucent spots. I get why people avoid whitening, but for me, a gentle whitening toothpaste (just once or twice a week) hasn’t made things worse. Everyone’s teeth react differently though… finding what works is such a process.

That chalky feeling always throws me off a bit, but I’ve had dentists tell me it’s just the fluoride doing its thing, like you said. Honestly, after dealing with a bunch of fillings over the years, I’ll take chalky over that weird twinge you get before a cavity forms. For me, switching to a toothpaste with stannous fluoride (instead of sodium) made my teeth feel less dry and chalky, but still protected. Everyone’s mouth is different though… sometimes it’s just trial and error to find what doesn’t set things off.

Stannous fluoride definitely has its fans - some folks say it feels less harsh, though a few people complain about the taste. I’ve seen patients do better with it when sodium fluoride left their mouths feeling like a chalkboard. It’s wild how much toothpaste can change things, honestly.

Yeah, it’s kinda wild how switching up toothpaste can make such a difference. I remember when my ortho first suggested stannous fluoride - I was like, “Is this some fancy science experiment?” But honestly, it ended up feeling way less gritty than the sodium stuff. Taste is... let’s just say, an acquired thing. Not gonna lie, I had to power through that weird metallic aftertaste at first.

If you’re dealing with decay in 13 teeth (been there, not fun), anything that helps without making your mouth feel like you just chewed on sidewalk chalk is worth a shot. It’s weird how something as simple as toothpaste can make you dread or actually look forward to brushing. I used to think all toothpaste was basically the same, but nope - turns out my teeth have opinions.

Hang in there. It’s a lot, but finding the right routine makes a huge difference. If stannous works for you, who cares about the taste? Better than more fillings, right?

I totally get what you mean about toothpaste being surprisingly important. I switched to stannous fluoride after reading a bunch of studies about its antimicrobial properties - felt like I was running a science experiment in my mouth, too. The taste threw me off at first, but I noticed way less sensitivity and my hygienist actually commented on less plaque at my last visit. I still miss the “minty fresh” vibe, but honestly, if it means fewer trips to get fillings, I’ll take the trade-off. Funny how something so small can make you rethink your whole routine.

That’s wild, I switched to stannous fluoride after my dentist found like a dozen cavities at once. I was super anxious about making things worse, so I started reading ingredient labels and watching way too many YouTube reviews. Can’t say I love the taste either, but my teeth aren’t as sensitive and I swear my gums look less angry. Did you notice any staining? I read that’s a thing with stannous, but I’m not sure if it’s just me being paranoid.

I’ve read about the staining thing too, but I’m not sure if it’s as common as people say. Have you actually noticed any brown spots or just a general dullness? I started using stannous fluoride toothpaste maybe two months ago, and so far, nothing obvious - though I keep checking in different lighting like a weirdo. Did your dentist mention anything about ways to prevent stains, or is it just kind of luck of the draw?

I’m in the same boat - been using the cheaper stannous fluoride stuff for a while since my dentist said it helps with sensitivity, but I haven’t seen any actual brown stains yet. Just a little dullness sometimes, but nothing wild. Did your dentist talk about brushing technique or using a straw for drinks? I read that can help, but honestly, I think some of it’s just luck and maybe how often you brush.

Yeah, my orthodontist mentioned using a straw for anything sugary or acidic, but honestly I always forget. I do try to brush after coffee though - otherwise my brackets just feel gross. Have you noticed any difference with your sensitivity since using the stannous fluoride?

I actually switched to stannous fluoride toothpaste a few months back after my hygienist suggested it for sensitivity - and yeah, I did notice a difference, but it took a couple weeks. My teeth used to zing if I drank anything cold, now it’s way more manageable. I still get lazy with the straw thing too, especially with iced coffee... but rinsing with water right after seems to help a bit. It’s all such a hassle with braces, honestly.

I switched to stannous fluoride too, but honestly, I didn’t see a huge change at first. Maybe I was expecting an overnight fix, but it was more like a slow fade of that sharp cold pain. The straw thing is a struggle for me - sometimes I just forget, especially when I’m half awake and grabbing an iced coffee. With braces, everything feels like double the effort. I started using a water flosser and that’s helped a bit, but I still worry about spots I can’t reach. Anyone else get weird staining from the stannous fluoride? Mine’s minor, but it’s there.

That staining with stannous fluoride drives me nuts too, honestly. I know it’s supposed to be “minor” but when you’re already self-conscious about your teeth, even little stains feel huge. Did you ever try sodium fluoride instead? I actually switched back because the staining was just too much for me, even though my dentist kept saying it’s superficial and can be polished off. Also - about the water flosser, I get what you mean about missing spots. Have you tried those little interproximal brushes? I found them way easier to control around braces than the water flosser, especially for stubborn bits.

even little stains feel huge

I totally relate to the stress over stains - feels like everyone notices even if they don’t. My dentist was weirdly chill about me switching to sodium fluoride, which surprised me. And yeah, those little brushes? Way less splashy drama than my water flosser… plus, easier to use when I’m half asleep.

Stains are the worst - honestly, I swear I notice mine way more than anyone else ever could. Sodium fluoride was a game changer for me too, though my hygienist acted like it was no big deal. Funny how something that feels huge to us is just routine for them. And yeah, those little brushes are lifesavers. I used to end up with water all over my mirror and shirt every time I tried the flosser... not ideal when you’re half-awake and already running late.