Receeding gums... ???

sweetcheeks33

My dentist said that a few of my gums are starting to show signs of receding but not to worry about it. When I asked what would help I was told ' not to worry as nothing can be done about it anyway'

Maybe nothing can be done to fix it but surely for someone who is an extremely anxious patient that's not really the best chat that could of been used!!

Wondered if welsh dent, tooth smith or brook2jack ( sorry that's from memory apologies if I have it wrong) could shed any light.

I go to dentist every 6 months and get a scale n polish as part of treatment.

Thank you

brook2jack

Receeding gums are not inevitable. However once they have receded you can't make them grow back but you can prevent further damage.

Several things can cause it and you need a dentist to diagnose which applies to you.

A gum disease. Very common , plaque builds up causes gums to inflame and the bone and gum eventually start to recede. To prevent you need to use tepe brushes or floss every day and effective brushing every day. If you need scale and polish every visit tartar is building up which means your cleaning is not effective so you should ask for instruction in how to floss etc.
If you smoke ,stop , smoking is terrible for gums.

B brushing too hard in places particularly at the corners of the mouth. Switching to an electric toothbrush normally cures this.

C you grind or clench your teeth at night. It can make gum disease worse and makes it progress quicker. A gumshield worn at night helps.

So the answer is if your gums are receeding they won't grow back but you should be able to stop it getting worse. That depends on your dentist spotting what the problem is, advising you on what action to take and you following that action plan.

jenniewb

Just wanted to comment: I was given an electric tooth brush when I was 14. I was told I had receding gums when I saw the dentist a few months later. I later found I was brushing too hard with the electric toothbrush. It is possible to brush to hard with an electric toothbrush if you are not used to it and it can cause damage! Please brush with caution, as brook2jack has already mentioned, once they have receded they don't grow back. Sensitive teeth are one thing I'd love to be rid of

thistledome

I thought there was a treatment that allowed the gums to grow back?

I was just reading about this recently because I have a bit of pain from exposed tooth roots but I'm afraid of the dentist. I haven't been for over 25 years and probably won't be able to make myself go until the pain feels worse than the fear of the dentist IYSWIM.

I'd appreciate if the dentists on here would comment on this treatment:

The new tissue regeneration application from Tufts uses platelet concentrate gel applied to a collagen membrane as the graft instead of using tissue from the roof of the mouth.

That's a short quote from an article dated 2009, the rest of it here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/156096.php

brook2jack

There are various techniques including guided tissue regeneration but it is controversial as to whether you actually get the gum reattaching to the tooth, all are expensive and completely useless if you don't keep up regular visits to the hygienist. They have a very limited use.

In general sensitive exposed tooth roots are normally treated with toothpastes and desensitising treatments as despite what the newspapers Tec publish there is no way of reattaching gum, although with excellent oral care some bone regrowth and limited gum healing can take place.

thistledome

OK, thanks for your reply, it is appreciated.

I did wonder, especially after reading some of the comments under that article asking where in Tijuana you can get the treatment! :rotfl:

DC1903

Hi, I have a few areas where my gums have receded, and have adopted a regime which is working according to my dentist and hygienist.

First of all, I stopped smoking four years ago (thank you Allen Carr - the Easyway guru - - not the gap toothed comedian!)

I have a hygiene appointment every three months for a full scale. It's not very nice, but she numbs me up and I don't feel a thing. I was told to imagine my gums were like a polo neck around my teeth. The polo neck has gone baggy, and getting rid of the plaque build up (tartar) allows the gum to adhere to the tooth again, making a nice snug fit around the base of the tooth.


I also bought those blue tipped rubber toothpicks (three quid in Asda) I think they are called 'In betweens' and I use them three times a day, it has become a habit now and my mouth really feels clean after using them.

I brush twice a day with an electric toothbrush, in gentle circles, followed by a manual brush to get inside the back of the molars. I floss with Superfloss, use tepe brushes (pink, I have tight teeth!)) and then use a water pik.

I use a mild mouthrinse.

Seems like a lot of work - but so worth it. Gums don't grow back, but you can stop the rot. I now have beautifully pale pink, hard gums which never bleed, and fresh breath - even first thing in the morning!

Ps..there is a pic of my teeth and gums on this forum..when I work out how to post it i will

DC1903

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4652601