Bleeding Gums

Nicki

Toothsmith wrote: »

Impossible to say without seeing you - but has the retainer been checked properly for it's fit to make sure that this isn't irritating the gums & causing the problem?

No, but it won't have caused the problem because I hadn't worn it for at least 4 months before last night (the ortho work was about 4 years ago, and I had got out of the habit of wearing it every night).

Good idea about getting it checked though. I'm taking DS to see the dentist tomorrow so will ask him then if he thinks it is worth making an appointment to do that.

Thanks

brook2jack

There's your first problem. Teeth relapse (move) after braces unless a permanent wire is bonded to them or you wear a retainer most nights for life.

If you haven't worn your retainer for four months your teeth will have moved. This may be contributing to your clenching and sudden recession of gums but it will certainly mean your retainer will be sore to wear at first. Did your dentist know you hadn't worn it for a while?

It is a great shame to go to all the effort (expense) of having a brace and then not wear the retainers regularly.

If your teeth have moved too much you may need a new retainer, if they haven't moved too much then it may just be uncomfortable to wear for a few days until they move back. Only your dentist will be able to tell after looking at you and your retainer.

Nicki

Yes I was honest with him . It didn't feel very tight when I put it on so although I know they may have moved a bit I don't think it was too far. I didnt feel any real pressure on the teeth in the same way I did with new braces during treatment.

I do know really I should wear it regularly, but it is a bit of a passionkiller

msavjd

your gums inflame, meet a dentist and decalcify your teeth.

brook2jack

I hope this is not a serious suggestion! Presumably spam to give a profile .

VfM4meplse

Resurrecting this thread in reaction to some advice I was given recently by my dentist. I was told to floss / use Interdens / a toothpick to remove a build up of plaque, fair enough. But I have sensitivity in the gum around that particular tooth which bleeds quite often when I brush my teeth, and I was told to "encourage the gum to bleed".

It was hard to ask at the time (being in agony) but what is the therapeutic benefit of physically traumatising the gum until it bleeds?

brook2jack

Generally only inflamed incorrectly brushed gums will bleed. People often leave alone areas of gum that bleed "to settle down " . However what they are doing is allowing even more plaque to build up and the gum health gets worse.

So if the gum is bleeding that's a sign you have to be more thorough in cleaning there. The gum is inflamed so that thorough cleaning will make the gum bleed like stink but within a week or so the bleeding will stop.

patriciagold476

Yeah I agree with that. I experienced bleeding gums when I ate guava and I don't know why. haha! Thanks for this useful answer. Keep on posting!

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