Here's a weird one.

[GlitterAndStuds]

Maybe some of you guys know something about this. Just this morning, I was randomly looking at all my teeth in the mirror, and I noticed one way in the back of my top ones that has some discoloring. It's not even the whole thing though, it's a small piece that's like...brown. And it has a rough texture. It doesn't hurt or anything, and it's had the texture thing for a long time now.

Is this something I should be worried about? I thought I'd ask here before paying a dentist ridiculous amounts of money to look at it (I don't have dental insurance, just medical). I've always taken pretty good care of my teeth so this is weird for me.

[WildChild]

Could it have broken and then started to decay?

[GlitterAndStuds]

It's possible. I don't remember doing anything to it, but I have a tongue ring that I may have bitten down on by accident. It DOES feel like something stuck between my teeth... but I know it's my tooth. If that makes sense.

[Miya]

I've never encountered this but as far as a dentist goes, couldn't you just go to a different one to do a "checkup" and let them tell you what they find? I'm sure if it meant more $$ for them they'd definitely tell you exactly what is wrong, what they need to do, and how much money it will cost you. Then you could go to your own dentist when you had the time/money/will to go?

[GlitterAndStuds]

I hadn't thought of that, there's a good point. I haven't had my own dentist in a while, so I guess I could go wherever. My boyfriend told me that a regular dentist should be able to take care of it. I just wanted to make sure I'm not getting paranoid about anything, haha.

[Miya]

I'm the same way though. I tend to go from one dentist to another still looking for one I really like. (if I was home I'd get it done for free ) I don't think it anything to be paranoid about though sweets. I'm sure they've all seen a whole lot worse and it's probably a simple fix.

[GlitterAndStuds]

Thanks It's definitely a broken tooth. Ever since I discovered it, I've been feeling it like crazy with my tongue.. and ya know how a molar is supposed to have 4 bump type things around the outside? Yeah one is totally gone. And now that I think about it, I remember crunching on something a few months ago and spitting it out but not knowing what it was. I'm not in any pain whatsoever, I don't think it even hurt when I broke it.

So yes. It's broken and probably starting to get gross because of that. Ick. I scheduled a dentist appointment but it's not for another month so I'm seeing if I can get it done sooner.

Thank god it's on a tooth that people can't see!

[Miya]

Yeah at least it's not one of your front teeth. haha Sorry to hear about it though, that's a bummer. Maybe you could get in sometime sooner.

[OhThereYouAre]

Call the office and tell them you aren't carrying dental insurance.

Negotiate rates before hand. They WILL negotiate rates if you are paying out of pocket.

If you go to a new Dr...they'll probably want to do an oral exam and cleaning before they do anything else...which could mean an extra 80-100 depending on their prices. Ask them if they are going to require this before addressing the broken tooth.

I don't carry dental insurance either. One of my exes parents had their own practice. LOL - talk about pressure...having her dad poking around in my mouth!

[Ahryin]

I agree with OhThere! though I hate dentist...hate hate hate!!!