gum disease

gargoyle

My dentist has been telling me for years that I have gum disease. But because my front gum is receding I want to do something about it. I brought an electric toothbrush that has helped but has anyone else experienced this? I want pink gums again and the confidence from a nice smile.

Toothsmith

Gum disease is a slow progressive thing.

Once things start receeding, it would only be pretty expensive surgery that would have a chance of bringing it back again. Even then it's not always successful.

Realistically, the best thing you can do is stop it at the level it has got to.

Do you smoke?

If so, STOP.

You haven't got a hope of stopping gum disease if you don't.

What has your dentist suggested?

What has he been doing 'for years'?

A few visits to a hygienist to numb up and deep clean your mouth in areas would be a good idea. Be aware though, that this can often leave the teeth feeling sensitive for a couple of weeks, and as the gums would have been inflamed before the treatment started, when this inflammation goes down, it will look like the recession is slightly worse than before.

All gum problems ultimatly rely on what care the patient gives things at home. Good oral hygine requires not only good brushing but a fair bit of fiddling around with interdental brushes as well. You'll have to put a fair bit more time aside to 'do your teeth' each day.

Without this, (And giving up smoking if you do smoke) the process will continue and the 'foundations' of you teeth will be undermined. Then you will have a nice pink healthy looking plastic set!

For anyone else reading - the time to act would be when your dentist FIRST tells you you have a gum problem, not when you begin to notice things.

gargoyle

I don't smoke and the reason things have got this bad is because I can't breathe through my nose. The dentist has suggested an operation on my nose to help me breathe - but I have already had adenoids removed and that hasn't helped. Apparently it's over night that it's the worst as the build up is more. I was after some advice as to how I can manange it better. I brush twice a day, sometimes more if I'm worried. I use an interdental brush aswell as Dentyl mouthwash at the moment.

Toothsmith

Does your dentist have a hygienist?

Management of it is really quite specific advice and I would need to see your mouth in order to do it.

Has your dentist ever tried a course of really thorough cleaning under anaesthetic?

Is there any history of gum disease in your family?

gargoyle

I've never seen a hygienist with this dentist, they usually scrape off any tartar and polish them. I don't know of any family history.

Toothsmith

I think you need a longer chat with your own dentist to discuss how bad it really is, and what can be done about it.

topbargainhunter

I suffer with this too. I see the hygienist at least twice a year. She always stresses that I should floss as much as possible. If your gums bleed a lot try Gengigel. This is a mouthwash or gel sold in Boots and Tesco and it works a treat. Only trouble is its expensive, about £8 per bottle and it's not very big but if you don't want all your teeth to fall out, it's worth it.

Toothsmith

It has it's uses, but no mouthwash or gel in the world replaces the need for a really good deep clean.

As these things can't penetrate into the gum pockets, they can sometimes give the illusion of helping, as they heal up the surface, without touching the deeper problem.

The phrase is 'Use in conjunction with....' rather than a treatment in it's own right.

Mrs_pbradley936

I do not have gum disease but I see the hygenist twice a year because my dentist recommends it. Perhaps I would have gum disease if I did not see her.

Toothsmith

That's right, prevention of it is soooo much easier than cure!

linlin_3

A new dentist I saw once told me that my teeth would drop out before I was 40 unless I did something about it (I was in my late 20's at the time). I worked hard to restore my gums to health by brushing normally, morning and night, but also having at least two or three 20 minute sessions of brushing, flossing, using inter-dens sticks and brushes and mouth washing. Pleased to say it worked..........but it took over two years of this regime.
You should also see a hygenist tho and perhaps have a deep scale.