Receding gums-anyone any experience?

[diddl]

Found out a couple of days ago.

Sensitive toothpaste not done anything yet.

Anyone any other suggestions?

I'm terrified to eat & drink & cause cavities on the bit that shouldn't be exposed, hardly dare brush for fear of making it worse

Am swinging between being OK & thinking that the toothpaste will help soon, & that all will be OK, or that it'll always be sensitive & I might as well have surgery or dentures!

Drama queen, me?

It's my middle name!

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Have you been to the dentist? You may need to have three monthly check ups and scale and polish. I do this now after years of neglecting my dental health. I use sensodyne repair and protect toothpaste, a soft corsodyl toothbrush and most importantly floss religiously now. If your gums are sore try genigel. But see the dentist and get a scale and polish. My dental health is a million times better and no more bleeding gums.

[diddl]

Yes, that's how I found out.

Thought I needed a filling, but was told I was receding gums- have overbrushed & caused it!

Why nothing was noticed in May when I was last there is beyond me.

I've got a soft brush & toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

No bleeding or soreness.

Have them cleaned twice a year.

Next appointment for that is November & if the tooth stays like this I won't be able to stand it!

[winkywinkola]

Are you eating enough fruit and veg? Whenever I find my gums are sore and I'm starting to look a little longer of tooth, I up my fruit (especially sataumas and apples) intake and gnash on some raw carrots and cherry tomatoes. It really helps I find.

[Twolefttoes]

I have gum problems too, on the advice of my dentist, I have done the following, which have really helped:

Used Listerine twice a day (green one)
Started flossing daily
Use an electric toothbrush, so brushing too hard isn't an issue

Good luck.

[diddl]

I could up the fruit & veg.

I did wonder about a mouthwash(forgot to ask!).

At the moment as rinsing out after every meal & am currently brushing only twice a day-first & last thing.

Use an interdental brush & floss every evening.

It's the overbrushing along the gum line as opposed to not cleaning well enough.

Pity that gum doesn't regrow when you stop doing what caused it to recede!

[justanotherquestion]

I was in agony with this in Jan, due to overbrushing. The dentist recommended sensodyne and I was a bit sceptical that it could possibly improve it considering the extreme pain I was in. However, within a couple of weeks I was well on the way to normal. When it was really painful I left some of the toothpaste on the gums to help it.

[diddl]

Looks like I need to give the toothpaste a bit longer then.

But in the long term, there's part of your tooth exposed that shouldn't be.

I'm really unhappy with that & wish that something other than surgery could be done.

I'm not in pain-only if I get hot or old on one tooth.

[3mum]

FWIW it is really common. That is where the saying "getting bit long in the tooth" comes from as a sign of aging.

My dentist said that you need to up your fluoride and change your brushing technique. I use a fluoride mouthwash in the middle of the day and sensodyne toothpaste (took 3 weeks to make a difference for me), switched to a sonic toothbrush (which I love, it leaves your teeth much whiter and you don't scrub at all, just move it along your teeth) and after having sweet things chew a xylitol chewing gum.

The gums don't grow back but the sensitivity will lessen and it will be fine. Don't worry!

[diddl]

I'm just impatient for the toothpaste to work I think.

I've got a soft toothbrush & toothpaste for sensitive teeth with fluoride.

Will look for a fluoride mouthwash.

[Mrsmorton]

Fluoriguard is easily available OTC.

You can get prescription toothpaste with fluoride at much higher levels but it is prescription only.

Before bed, smear some toothpaste on with your finger. Also, be sure not to rinse after brushing. Just spit.

[diddl]

Toothpaste on the gum or tooth?

I don't rinse after brushing.

I'm so annoyed thatI've caused this by trying to look after my teeth!

[Mrsmorton]

Tooth.

[diddl]

Thanks!

Thought it would be but just checking!

It's my own fault for not asking enough-was so glad that I didn't need a filling that I more or less leapt out the chair & ran!

Of course, now I'm wishing that it was a filling & that would have been a proper solution iyswim.

[winkywinkola]

I found mouthwash really made the problem worse too. They are harsh.

[Stars66]

I got this when pregnant and the dentist covered the two sore bits with some sort of coating thing.

Got it again this year and didn't do anything and teeth are fine now!

[diddl]

The dentist put fluoride on my tooth but that doesn't seem to have done anything.

Yes I'm nervous about mouthwashes due to what might be in them!

I think I'll have to go back & have a word as what I've also noticed now is that it's uncomfortable to bite with!

Hadn't noticed before due to avoiding that tooth!

If this sensisitivity doesn't go away I'll be having to have an anaesthetic to have them cleaned!

[diddl]

Well, who would have thought that mouthwashes could be so confusing!

What ingredients should I look for/avoid?

Anyone any knowledge/experience of pinhole gum surgery?

Is it any good for gums that have receded enough to make a tooth sensitive, or more cosmetic for when they have only receded a little?

[Willdoitinaminute]

Gums recede by about 0.1mm a year from early adult hood. It is perfectly natural. By the time you reach your early 40s they may have receded enough to expose the root surface which is not covered by enamel so softer and less resistant to wear (toothbrush) or acid erosion. Acidic foods such as fruit juices, fruit, wine, fizzy drinks etc will accelerate erosion and cause sensitivity.
Never brush straight after eating or drinking. Cut down on acids in your diet and use sensitive formula toothpastes. As Mrsmorton suggests use the toothpaste applying directly onto tooth especially before you eat. And avoid extremes of temperature. I also advise patients to take antiinflammatories if the sensitivity is uncomfortable. It reduces inflammation in the nerve and allows the nerve to desensitise itself. Teeth have their own mechanism to reduce sensitivity from gum recession but it takes time. You could ask your dentist to prescribe a high fluoride toothpaste as this can speed the process up.

[diddl]

Thanks for that.

Atm it's just on one tooth & starting on another.

I just want my gums back!