Dentistry Doubts - Bad Teeth

I'm a student in year 12. I've been keen on pursuing dentistry for a while now. Although, due to grinding my teeth I feel like they're ruined.

My dentist has never been elaborative and limited my understanding of bruxism to "it's bad" without explanation. Telling me that there's "mild wear" but not explaining on the consequences, what it means or anything at all. Whilst I can't put the blame on my dentist, I have been wary of grinding since then and have completely stopped. Although, it's worse now since I discovered I clench my jaw in my sleep. This isnt something I can control at all, and I would pinpoint it on anxiety as I've always had issues regarding that. I just wish my dentist could have told me more than those two brief pieces of information before sending me off so I could have spotted this and addressed it further. Now, my molars are really worn down and the alignment of my teeth are considerably off. My premolars are horrible. My teeth are always aching or tingling. I wish my dentist gave me more information for me to be able to recognise this earlier, and I feel like it's really affected my motivation for dentistry. I doubt I can pursue a career in practicing something that my own teeth don't reflect. I know that enamel can't be restored, and it's upsetting me greatly as I don't know what to do in the future or how I can treat this. My teeth are aligned wrong and I'm always experiencing some sort of mild pain, and chewing becomes slightly difficult. I dont know what I can do as an alternative because I've been planning to pursue dentistry in many ways. Such as my EPQ being related to dentistry, building a portfolio of work experience/wider reading/active participation of events related to dentistry, and most significantly undergoing R2P Dentistry. This has really taken a toll on me and I dont know what to do, I dont know how I can pursue a career in Dentistry when my own teeth are bad. Not to mention I'm particularly upset at my dentist, there's been other cases to why I'm slightly wary of mine due to her interactions feeling condescending and rude to me, she's never shown any empathy. It's affecting me further than that because there's no treatment I can resort to, so I'm constantly reminded of it. I just feel so sick and done with everything. Theres so much more I can go into but I don't want to waste space. I feel so lost. :frown:

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

You don't need good teeth to be a dentist...just like you don't need to be "healthy" to be a doctor (or an electron to be a physicist). That would be an arbitrary standard, not to mention impossible to uphold.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Helloeveryonee

Original post

by empty-vase

I'm a student in year 12. I've been keen on pursuing dentistry for a while now. Although, due to grinding my teeth I feel like they're ruined.
My dentist has never been elaborative and limited my understanding of bruxism to "it's bad" without explanation. Telling me that there's "mild wear" but not explaining on the consequences, what it means or anything at all. Whilst I can't put the blame on my dentist, I have been wary of grinding since then and have completely stopped. Although, it's worse now since I discovered I clench my jaw in my sleep. This isnt something I can control at all, and I would pinpoint it on anxiety as I've always had issues regarding that. I just wish my dentist could have told me more than those two brief pieces of information before sending me off so I could have spotted this and addressed it further. Now, my molars are really worn down and the alignment of my teeth are considerably off. My premolars are horrible. My teeth are always aching or tingling. I wish my dentist gave me more information for me to be able to recognise this earlier, and I feel like it's really affected my motivation for dentistry. I doubt I can pursue a career in practicing something that my own teeth don't reflect. I know that enamel can't be restored, and it's upsetting me greatly as I don't know what to do in the future or how I can treat this. My teeth are aligned wrong and I'm always experiencing some sort of mild pain, and chewing becomes slightly difficult. I dont know what I can do as an alternative because I've been planning to pursue dentistry in many ways. Such as my EPQ being related to dentistry, building a portfolio of work experience/wider reading/active participation of events related to dentistry, and most significantly undergoing R2P Dentistry. This has really taken a toll on me and I dont know what to do, I dont know how I can pursue a career in Dentistry when my own teeth are bad. Not to mention I'm particularly upset at my dentist, there's been other cases to why I'm slightly wary of mine due to her interactions feeling condescending and rude to me, she's never shown any empathy. It's affecting me further than that because there's no treatment I can resort to, so I'm constantly reminded of it. I just feel so sick and done with everything. Theres so much more I can go into but I don't want to waste space. I feel so lost. :frown:

Hi, I would firstly advise you to change your dentist because that type of treatment should not be accepted at any cost. Also, as long as u can carry on what ur doing, like building ur portfolio and EPQ you should be fine. I really hope you get ur offers! On a side note, u could talk about this experience in ur interview if u want ofc and just like say how despite ur dental appointment history, u wanna make sure that no one goes thru tht, i hope u understand what im tryna say. Finally, make sure to not overwork urself and enjoy it. Do check out dental mentor too to build ur portfolio.

Reply 3

futuredrlawyer

Original post

by empty-vase

I'm a student in year 12. I've been keen on pursuing dentistry for a while now. Although, due to grinding my teeth I feel like they're ruined.
My dentist has never been elaborative and limited my understanding of bruxism to "it's bad" without explanation. Telling me that there's "mild wear" but not explaining on the consequences, what it means or anything at all. Whilst I can't put the blame on my dentist, I have been wary of grinding since then and have completely stopped. Although, it's worse now since I discovered I clench my jaw in my sleep. This isnt something I can control at all, and I would pinpoint it on anxiety as I've always had issues regarding that. I just wish my dentist could have told me more than those two brief pieces of information before sending me off so I could have spotted this and addressed it further. Now, my molars are really worn down and the alignment of my teeth are considerably off. My premolars are horrible. My teeth are always aching or tingling. I wish my dentist gave me more information for me to be able to recognise this earlier, and I feel like it's really affected my motivation for dentistry. I doubt I can pursue a career in practicing something that my own teeth don't reflect. I know that enamel can't be restored, and it's upsetting me greatly as I don't know what to do in the future or how I can treat this. My teeth are aligned wrong and I'm always experiencing some sort of mild pain, and chewing becomes slightly difficult. I dont know what I can do as an alternative because I've been planning to pursue dentistry in many ways. Such as my EPQ being related to dentistry, building a portfolio of work experience/wider reading/active participation of events related to dentistry, and most significantly undergoing R2P Dentistry. This has really taken a toll on me and I dont know what to do, I dont know how I can pursue a career in Dentistry when my own teeth are bad. Not to mention I'm particularly upset at my dentist, there's been other cases to why I'm slightly wary of mine due to her interactions feeling condescending and rude to me, she's never shown any empathy. It's affecting me further than that because there's no treatment I can resort to, so I'm constantly reminded of it. I just feel so sick and done with everything. Theres so much more I can go into but I don't want to waste space. I feel so lost. :frown:

No job should judge you based on your looks , even in dentistry . It is illegal and classes as discrimination . The most important thing for you to do is PLEASE get a new dentist ASAP and report your current one . No healthcare worker , especially dentists who are not even over-worked or underpaid ,should bully you or not provide acceptable treatment . Please report them so their poor service does not continue . But don't worry too much about your teeth , focus on your studies 😊 Good Luck

Reply 4

empty-vase

Original post

by futuredrlawyer

Thank you so much. :frown:

I've changed my dentist now, so hopefully things should improve. I was considering the prospect of including it in parts of my application process on the emphasis of how important empathy and consistent emotional resilience is. I really appreciate your reply and advice, it's really helped me organise my thoughts. I wish the best for you as well! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy your morning/evening. <3

Reply 5

Mohammed_2000

It’s the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” Until you never read it you’ll never know whether it’s good or not. Even if you just read the blurb. Or don’t judge a person by their physical characteristics or appearance. Judge them for the way they are, who they are and for their heart and personality. There’s no requirement for perfection to pursue the career wise. So any doubts or insecurities you had ease them off :smile: