gum disease

rach29

That may be so (and IMHO that's a shame) maybe if she agreed to use the NHS stop smoking service at the same time?

It's worth a try.

Toothsmith

I can see what you mean, but treating smokers for gum disease IS pointless.

I know - I just watch it all go downhill day after day, despite my best efforts.

With the money saved in giving up, he could afford a whole lot of treatment once he does though!

angel

tesuhoha wrote:

Fifth thoroughly clean your teeth twice a day with your electric brush and massage the gums also.

Could someone clarify this? I have some gum recession at the front (I don't smoke!) and along with all of the flossing and tepeeing that I do now I've been brushing those front upper teeth very gently rather than the old way of scrub, scrub, scrubbing that I was taught back in the 70's. I only gently brush the gums too so as to not push them back any further. Do I need to massage them as well or brush them harder?

Stompa

hibees1875 wrote:

ive used genigel and yes it is expensive but it did the trick for me

It made absolutely no observable difference for me.

ktb

i'm quite worried about my gums at the moment.. the inside of my bottom gum is very sore one side and has been for about a week.. it feels like slightly raw skin and I have a really metallic taste in my mouth. I also have toothache in what feels like most of my teeth but primarily in the 1 tooth nearest the sore patch on my gum. I really dont have the cash to go to the dentist this month.. I put off going for a month am I going to be in trouble?

Toothsmith

ktb wrote:

I really dont have the cash to go to the dentist this month.. I put off going for a month am I going to be in trouble?

If it's a minor problem - no you're not. If it's a major problem - yes you are.

How can you tell the difference? - I'm afraid you'll need to get it looked at by a dentist!!

pingua

metallic taste in mouth????? Had that when I was pregnant!!!!!!!!

My gums are pretty bad so much so that the dentist asked me to go to the hygenist. She then did deep treatment stuff with loads of injections. a quater of my mouth at each visit.

Now I wonder why they did not tell me this or do anything about it ages ago!!! My front teeth now have a gap in them which I absolutely hate!!!

Also shown those inter-pee brush things which if my gums were that bad you would have thought they would have told me about ages ago.
Makes me mad. Everything about our dentist makes me mad but the sad thing is there is not alot that can be done about it.

Toothsmith

angel wrote:

Could someone clarify this? I have some gum recession at the front (I don't smoke!) and along with all of the flossing and tepeeing that I do now I've been brushing those front upper teeth very gently rather than the old way of scrub, scrub, scrubbing that I was taught back in the 70's. I only gently brush the gums too so as to not push them back any further. Do I need to massage them as well or brush them harder?

Time is much more the key than pressure.

I would suggest you're cleaning them fine if you're using all the bits & pieces properly.

It could be the hard brushng from the 70s as well as abrasive 70s toothbrushes that have done the damage!

If the recession still seems to be getting worse, it could be worth having a word with your dentist about tooth grinding.

The high forces that are put through your teeth if you grind them at night can 'jiggle' (A technical term in dentistry believe it or not!) your teeth around, and that lowers the gum level.

Ask him if there are any other signs of wear that might indicate you are grinding your teeth. Or ask your partner if you make funny sounds from your teeth at night!

Toothsmith

pingua wrote:

Also shown those inter-pee brush things

I have such a picture in my head now :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Toothsmith

pingua wrote:

Now I wonder why they did not tell me this or do anything about it ages ago!!!

Has something changed recently?

A new dentist looked at you with a fresh pair of eyes?

Practice recently gone private and now have more time to check around?

It might not have been happening ages ago - healthy gums can suddenly deteriorate - although you often get a bit of warning if you check the gum condition thouroughly each check-up.

Ask the dentist why it has only just become a problem when you next go.