My Dentist will not pull my teeth out.

You may regret it if you do, if there is a chance of saving what you have got go for it. .. there is no going back once they are gone.

I have almost begged 3 dentists to pull my front tooth out now laura666 so I know where you are coming from . They all say that pulling the tooth might not solve the problem I have right now (nose and face pain following a failed root canal treatment) . I am waiting to see an ENT specialist and taking a never ending supply of antibiotics and painkillers . I still think the tooth will end up being pulled eventually.

Having said that, If There is a chance of saving your teeth (without too much trauma and pain) I think you should take it.

Good luck x

Do you really want to have to cope with dentures for the rest of your life? I think I would undergo almost any type of treatment rather than lose my teeth.

I think it unlikely you could insist on having your teeth removed under the NHS. It would be classed as expensive and unnecessary. The cost of removal, treatment and the supply and onward care of dentures I suspect would exceed the cost of your current treatment.

I think if you wanted them out you would need to see a private dentist and pay for their removal yourself, plus of course the dentures. But again, I suspect that even a private dentist would be unwilling to remove someone's teeth when they are all perfectly healthy.

If he will not pull; your teeth on request I consider him a dentist doing his job. He is trying and wants to save your teeth.

My mother had all of her teeth removed- I cannot remember when but she has been dead 40+ years so that gives you an idea. She was terrified of dentists but I think she did regret it.

I think I would do as the dentist recommends and have the planing done. DH had to go to the dental hospital for months to have that procedure carried out but in the main it was worth it.
You might regret it if you have healthy teeth taken out without taking the chance to save them if the problem is with your gums.

False teeth are only better than no teeth at all. You cannot bite or chew as efficiently. Your gums shrink and your face changes shape. You have to replace them periodically which is expensive and time consuming for the fittings. You have a good dentist.

It’s a standing joke between my dentist and myself that I say to him “ whatever you do K just keep them in my head” I have an absolute phobia about having dentures and will do anything to keep my own teeth, couldn’t bear to have them all out

Why do you want to pull healthy teeth?

Is it just to avoid the dentist every two months?

You can try insisting Laura but you can’t dictate to a doctor or dentist To carry out any treatment that they consider not in your best interests.

All you can do is try to find another dentist, but you’ll probably be searching for a long time.

The best advice I can give you is to tell your current dentist exactly why you don’t want to see the hygienist. Cost of treatment? Fear of the hygienist? Fear that the treatment will be futile and you’ll lose your teeth anyway?

Give the dentist a chance to address your concerns.

I don’t understand why you would want your teeth all pulled out when you only have gum disease, which is being treated.
Can you explain your reasons?

My gums are in a real mess, and I can well understand why you'd want your teeth out, because the idea is very appealing to me at the moment.

I had years of hideous pain before my extractions. I think dentists used to pull teeth all too often fifty years ago and now they are over keen to save them. it's as if the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.

You do have a choice. If you feel that you can't tolerate the planing treatment, go to your GP (as I did) and ask to be referred to a hospital dental department.

I was booked in there for extractions under anaesthetic (twice, but it was not to be), attended, but (as hospitals just don't cater for claustrophobics who cannot tolerate waiting for hours) with bp too high, migraine/sickness etc. it couldn't be done.

I eventually had sedation at a dental clinic, teeth out, no problem and it only cost £50 (so must have been NHS) - well worth it!

No you can't insist and gum disease is curable with some effort on your part.

Your dentist is being very responsible in refusing to extract healthy teeth.

Once he (and you) have got on top of the gum problem you will be very grateful he didn’t carry out your very extreme request.

In your place I would consult another dentist.

However, remember that not everyone finds dentures useful, or comfortable and once you have had your teeth extracted there is no road back.

Not all gum disease is curable in my experience.

Please do get a second opinion.

Please don't have your teeth extracted. Instead start your own regime to help your gums get back to health and ensure you do it every night with fail, perhaps when watching tv. You don't say what you do but it should be something like using different size interdental brushes to clean the gaps, followed by flossing and then using dental sticks to run around your gums. Do you use an electric tooth brush? I have switched to one and it has made a big difference. No doubt your gums bleed a lot when brushed but this is natural when infected. Why don't you give it a go as a positive move for a week or two as you have nothing to lose.
My teeth are definitely not perfect but I know that by following the above regime I no longer have to worry about my gums bleeding now.

I've been trying for ten years to sort my gums out.
No luck yet. They're worse than ever.

Has your dentist suggested planing MissA?

It has to carried out by a professional. DH visits the hygienist every three months too which I am sure has helped.

No, what is it?
I've had below the gumline cleaned, and I wished I was on a plane, going somewhere (anywhere!) else.

It may have been that, DH was sent to the dental hospital to have it done, not a job for the hygienist apparently.
It means going right down to the roots to remove plaque which may harbour toxins I think.

Well, it felt like she went down to the roots!
Not sure if it was planing.

Anyway, my point being that it's an embarrassing problem, and the implication (not by you, obviously) that I haven't looked after my teeth, or don't know how to is part of what makes it so.

I think i'll keep my teeth and have my gums out.

MissAdventure, one tooth in particular gave me hell for years. I was told it was gum problems. Nothing showed on x-rays.

I'd had a root canal and crown. Because of the crown, no amount of aspirin or whisky poultice gave any relief.

I'd be awake in the early hours despite Codeine, tempted to drill it out myself (or just top myself).

In the end I went and sat at the dentist, refusing to leave or be fobbed off with antibiotics, insisting on having the crown removed. I was desperate, loud and obstinate.

Eventually, the top dentist/owner there removed the crown. The tooth crumbled and couldn't be saved - it was too rotten. I was right and I got an apology!

I'm having similar problems, Hetty pain around one tooth, which was drilled, filled and eventually taken out.

The pain then shifted along to the next... actually, I can't say the next tooth, because it isn't toothache, its gumache.

I think I'll keep my teeth and have my gums out
That did make me laugh MissA!!

I must remember to use those horrible little inter-dental brushes tonight!!

Sometimes I wake in the night and my teeth (or gums) feel quite painful. All ok by the morning, I wonder why.