[IntoExile]

I'm only 14 years old and have never been to a dentist since I was born. My bottom teeth have receded badly and one of my top left teeth sometimes bleeds a little when brushing. I'm not really sure what to do and fairly reluctant to go to a dentist mainly because of the problem that of the two that my mum has been to, they've only made things worse. There is also the fact that I don't want to be told that my teeth need to be pulled.

If I stop eating sugary foods and brush and floss my teeth for longer and more times a day could they improve on their own?

Any help would be great, thanks.

[progunr]

You really should see a dentist.

You are very young, to have so many problems already with your teeth.

While good brushing and flossing, and may I add rinsing with Listerine or Crest Pro Health twice a day, will all be good for you, the problems you have now will not be corrected with those things alone.

The bacterial build up, far below the gum line, is what will cause you to loose your teeth.

Only a dental hygienist or dentist can get to those pockets and clear them out.

Not what you wanted to hear, but, it is the truth.

[IntoExile]

Do you happen to know whether this is fully treatable or will I need to have my teeth removed?

[progunr]

It will depend on how much bone loss you already have, sometimes it can be corrected, sometimes there has been too much damage.

This is the reason I suggest you get checked out as soon as possible, everyday that passes, more damage is being done.

Best of luck to you!

[Fr_Chuck]

Well of course you should have been to the dentist once a year at least.
I have a daughter in law who because of lack of dental care had to loose all of her teeth by 17, it was so serioius her health was at risk for not taking proper care of her teeth.

It can also be a gum problem.

[spitvenom]

This is why you should go to the dentist:
Abscess
A pus-filled cavity resulting from inflammation and usually caused by bacterial infection.

I have had an abscess all the way in the back of my mouth it was so big I could not open my mouth to eat. It was so bad even with antibiotics it took a month for it to go down and they still had to pull the tooth luckily for me it was a wisdom tooth. It all could have been avoided if I would have just gone to the dentist for routine stuff. Trust me it is nasty I am making myself sick right now thinking about it.

[flossie]

I agree with the other posters. You definitely need to see a dentist.

If you have an abscess that is not treated it can cause many health problems including blindness and death.

Your first visit to the dentist will be an examination. He/she will take x-rays and then tell you what needs to be done. They will take care of the most problematic teeth first. Yes, you may have to have a tooth or 2 removed but there is no reason, at 14, that you will loose all your teeth. Now, if you wait any longer then the number of teeth to be lost will increase.

Ask your friends who they see and what they think of them.

In the meanwhile, brush (especially at the gumline), floss the best that you can and rinse with some warm salt water if you get a lot of bleeding but have your mum call a dentist as soon as possible.

P.S. Getting rid of the infection, cavities and bacteria in your mouth will help your breath smell better too!