Sore gums

Frith

Has anyone got any advice on healing up grotty gums?

I had similar when I was pregnant with smaller son and the dentist (at that time) said he couldn't do anything and just to keep my teeth and gums extra clean.

I thought I had a particularly nasty mouth ulcer 2 days ago but when I looked, the gums around my back teeth on the one side are puffy and one has receeded :eek: so I can see a couple of mm of tooth root!

I'm now brushing carefully after every meal and just having water between times so everything stays as clean as possible. The sore feeling has gone and there is less bleeding when brushing but it still looks puffy and that bit of tooth root is still showing....

I should point out at this point that I'm rubbish at having anything wrong with me so am now thinking all my teeth will fall out! My actual teeth are marvellous, btw, I have only 1 filling.

Fork86

Unfortunately, pregnancy gingivitis is very common unless you have an immaculate technique that removes every little bit of plaque from your gum margins. This is because your gums become even more sensitive to plaque.

Has your dentist reviewed your tooth brushing technique? I am sure that you brush as you say you do, and I don't mean to sound patronising, but in my experience many patients I have first come across, while having an adequate brushing technique, had areas they could improve on.

Small things like brushing infront of the mirror can really help in ensuring you are brushing important areas, and disclosing tablets can show areas covered in plaque (you can buy them from boots).

Also make sure you angle the brush head at 45 degrees to the margins of you gums as you brush 2-3 teeth at a time (small toothbrushes are best with medium hard bristles).

It's also important to note that conditions like diabetes can have the same effects, and taking drugs for high blood pressure and epilepsy.

Frith

I'm in and out of the dentist in 30 seconds (as my filling was 14 years ago and there is never anything for him to do!) I'm not pregnant now, btw.

He always says they are very clean and I do brush pretty carefully although, as you say, no one has ever checked to see I am doing it right.

Weird how twice this sore gum thing has only targeted 2 or 3 teeth.

flippin36

A dentist told me recently that when you brush its most important to brush the area around your gum and lower tooth iykwim. As thats where most damage will be caused. She said people often neglect the gum area when brushing.

Do you have an electric toothbrush? Not had to have any work done on our teeth since we got a really good electric toothbrush.

welshmoneylover

Have you tried Corsydol? It's a mouthwash specially designed for gum problems, doesn't taste nice so be warned!

I used it cos I had problems with mu gums after giving up the dreaded fags and Corsydol helped enormously.

hth

suki1964

An eclectic toothbrush really helps with the cleaning, esp when gums are inflamed. You need to do teeth and gums

Corsydol mouth wash twice a day will help

And the wee inter dent toothbrushes

My gums have been so bad for so long Im now in for a deep clean with the hygeiniest. £200 but shes going to do all that my dentist doesnt and teach me how to look after my teeth properly

Fork86

Remember not to use corsodyl straight after brushing your teeth as its benefits will be negated/deactivated by some active ingredients found in most toothpastes. Wait atleast 5 minutes after brushing your teeth and ensure you have thoroughly rinsed your mouth with water (you normally shouldn't rinse after brushing your teeth) before using corsodyl.

Also try not to use it for more than 3 months at a time as this can cause your teeth to stain and swelling of your parotid (salivary) glands. Cosodyl Daily should be used as a more permanent fixture, though isn't as effective in the short term.

Frith

I can't use mouthwash because (no nice way of saying this)... I can't spit! If I do spit I retch and gag for ages afterwards. I couldn't be a wine tester. In fact, I'm feeling all headachey now just thinking about having to spit!

Where the gums have receeded, will they ever grow back up to the right place?

Toothsmith

You really need to ask these questions to a dentist who can see what you're talking about.

A dentist doesn't have to watch how you brush your teeth to tell if you're doing it right - we can tell by what we see in front of us. BUT I'm not happy about the 'in and out in 30 sec' job. No-one can tell anything worthwhile in that time.

If you have dental worries, you need to find a dentist who can have a good look, and then spend time answering your questions in a way you understand.

Frith

Well, I don't know about this dentist because I've never really seen him in action!

I did time last visit how long it took THREE of us to go on the chair and get out of the door - and it was less than 5 minutes.

Having said that, he did notice that my older son had 2 teeth that didn't form properly and he did try and patch one up (baby teeth about to fall out anyway). So I suppose he IS looking and he does the usual number shouting at the the dental nurse.

(They were 2 bottom teeth, btw, just behind the canines - from memory - and they were little and odd and just crumbled away! Neither boy has a filling so it was quite odd to watch these 2 teeth fall apart over months)