Receding Gums ???

brook2jack

Don't bother with the toothpastes,mouthwash etc. 90% of gum problems return because people return to their old cleaning/brushing habits.
When you go back to your dentist take your toothbrush and tepe brushes with you to check how you are using them. Alternatively buy yourself some disclosing tablets.

Your gums bleed/recede etc because you are leaving plaque on the gums. You may be brushing the teeth well but you are not cleaning the gums. You can buy all the mouthwash and toothpaste you like but if you don't physically get a brush or floss in-between your teeth at the junction of tooth and gum you will still have gum problems.

greggp_2

brook2jack wrote: »

Don't bother with the toothpastes,mouthwash etc. 90% of gum problems return because people return to their old cleaning/brushing habits.
When you go back to your dentist take your toothbrush and tepe brushes with you to check how you are using them. Alternatively buy yourself some disclosing tablets.

Your gums bleed/recede etc because you are leaving plaque on the gums. You may be brushing the teeth well but you are not cleaning the gums. You can buy all the mouthwash and toothpaste you like but if you don't physically get a brush or floss in-between your teeth at the junction of tooth and gum you will still have gum problems.

Thanks for the post.

Thing is I am flossing & brushing gums & between teeth – last night I flossed, brushed my teeth & gums. I then stayed up for a couple of hours before bed. With my tongue on the back of my middle front lower teeth I could feel the gaps and what I can only describe as gritty bits between teeth! I even got one of the gritty pieces on the end of my finger and it just looked what I can only describe as a grain of salt – Is this Tartar? I looked in the mirror prior to going to bed and the gap was considerably larger than when I had brushed earlier! I am feeling a bit run down at present – do gums recede at all when you feel run down? Reason I ask this is because I had this problem a few months ago and it seemed to heal.

I am going to see a dentist on Monday for more advice.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Is it possible that the OP needs an appointment with a hygienist (the ubiquitous scale & polish everyone talks about)?

So the gap getting larger is actually where previously untouched tartar is coming off and revealing the original, natural gap between the teeth?


After all, tartar makes the back of the teeth feel smooth and even if it builds up, then removing it will make it possible to feel the edges of the teeth again...

brook2jack

I agree with jo jo. It sounds as if you have tartar there and are not cleaning efficiently to keep the gap clear. Take your floss,tepes and brush with you to the dentist to show you how to use them right.

System

This will get rid of your tartar:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dentek-DK-050004-Dental-Scaler/dp/B000KVLKXU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321634640&sr=8-2

brook2jack

Yes and also gum,cementum, root surface,enamel,dentine if used incorrectly or too often (a Scandinavian study on hygienists found those who rootplaned themselves had greater loss of gum attachment than those who didnt due to overenthusiasm) .You will not need to use this if you clean properly . Avoid avoid.

This sort of instrument should not be advertised as it can be deeply damaging.

System

I bought one just to get rid of a small bit of tartar in between two of my cross over front teeth which dentist would always miss. It removed it very easily and now the gum around this area seems much healthier.

But I agree, do not use it alot as it could cause serious, unrepairable damage if you use it too hard.

brook2jack

If you clean properly in the first place you will never need to use this.

Tartar is just plaque that has been left undisturbed for at least 72 hours. So you have a long window of opportunity to stop tartar in the first place.

No one should ever use a scaler on themselves, as if they haven't got the skills to stop tartar building up there in the first place they probably haven't got the skills to use a scaler without damaging themselves.

System

I do clean property b2j. I know what tartar is. This is the only place I get tartar as my toothbrush can't clean well where my teeth crossover. I should really get the interdental brushes but the scaler does the job!

brook2jack

No you don't if you get tartar. Of course a toothbrush can't get around 60% of your tooth surface ie in between your teeth. Flossing or where necessary tepe brushes are essential to get to these parts brushing doesn't reach.

If you have tartar anywhere you are not cleaning properly. Tartar is 100% preventable.