any advice on gum disease? ashamed.

[penguinplease]

Just brushed my teeth and had a bleed and realised I have a very obvious red inflamed gum above one of my front teeth. I have been warned by the dentist about gum disease in the last few visits but adopted a bit of a denial about it. Looks very real and scary now. Is it too late for me to fix this??

Foolishly I have been smoking loads lately due to stress of stbxh walking out 3 months ago. I can live without him but not my teeth and I'm so ashamed. Has anyone got anything nice to say or am I doomed??

[HeathRobinson]

Can you remember what your dentist advised you to do?

[OhHullitsOnlyMeYoni]

You can get mouth washes and toothpastes or gingivitus :)

[penguinplease]

I'm going to make an app tomorrow and hope she can help me re establish good oral care, its just given me such a shock. My life is falling to pieces!

[OhHullitsOnlyMeYoni]

It's common with stress. You will be fine in a few weeks, but yes, sticking to a bedtime routine may also help in other areas.

[WhitePeacock]

Don't worry, penguin. Chances are you just need a good clean from the hygienist and then to start using a medicated mouthwash like Corsodyl, and interdental brushes, daily. I had this happen too (and the denial stage!) and you just need to get into your new routine as quickly as you can. Take good care of the little beggars - nothing makes me feel so rundown and decaying as issues with my teeth and gums!

You must get on top of it, although it sounds as though it's at a very reversible stage - I wound up with necrotising gingivitis, aka "trenchmouth" at one point because I was so tired and ill and my mouth just went haywire! But don't panic about the smoking - try to address things little by little. Good luck with getting shot of fags as well as ex when the time is right for you.

[stewartlaura67]

Gums disease is something that can get you in serious trouble. You should always take care if you are asked to be careful by your dentist.

[MOTduesoon]

Gingivitis - very common and treatable. Book an appt with hygienist and follow his/her advice re. Oral care. Don't be ashamed just take care of yourself.

[smee]

Totally treatable if you take care. I had gum disease after chemotherapy, but it's all gone now. Careful flossing, brushing and mouthwash will sort. Just do everything the dentist tells you.

[MrsMorton]

Yes, agree it will be fine as long as it's not too advanced. (I'm a dentist) get checked, hygiene visit for thorough clean and advice ond then you'll be sorted.

[penguinplease]

what if it is advanced? do I have options then? I'm really quite worried. I have had cleaning and treatment before, I have not been as vigilant as I should about keeping it up.
On the plus side I chucked my fags out and the thought of losing my teeth is more worrying than the want for a cigarette.

I have an appointment tomorrow but I'm so self conscious of this red inflamed gum above my front right tooth at the moment. Also I'm too scared to eat anything.

[crushedintherush]

Penguin-I recently had 3 teeth taken out (2 near the front, oh the shame ), because I haven't looked after them due to other things happening.

I'm due to go back to the dentist to discuss having a bridge fitted (there had to be a 3 month waiting gap in between teeth taken out and bridge fitted, so have felt very self conscious during this time and can't bloody wait), but in between this time, I 've found Corsodyl daily to be very effective. I also use a medium/firm toothbrush and feel my teeth are cleaner as a result.

HTH :)
to clean them with twice a day

[MrsMorton]

If it is advanced then it is not reversible BUT it is arrestable so you can prevent it getting worse. Early gum disease is reversible with good hygiene. Hard to say without seeing you tbh

[penguinplease]

I am really quite stressed out about this. I really hope its not too late for me. Thanks for the advice.

[MrsMorton]

Hey, it's no problem. Your gums will be graded on a scale of 0-4. This is called a BPE score. When you find out what it is let me know and we can chat more!!

[penguinplease]

Thanks, I'm just terrified its going to be too bad for me to fix, all of a sudden I appreciate my teeth!

[daftdame]

I've had one inflamed gum before and it has gone down in a day or so - just something irritated it I guess. Wash with a nice gentle mouthwash (aloe vera one good). If you can get a water jet flosser, good it'll keep everything clean. Consult dentist if it doesn't get any better.

[notcitrus]

I can't hold a toothbrush well so once with stress got it really bad all over my gums. Saw dentist. Good news was it was fixable. Less good was NHS wouldn't cover it, but for £250 he could do loads of injections of antibiotics into the gums.

I had a phobia of dental injections, but now-MrNC lent me the money, packed me off, dentist suggested splitting it into 3 appts but agreed to do it all at once, and by the second injection it was ok - 18 all together. Problem solved, now I just see hygienist regularly.

If you've only just noticed it, though, mouthwash and hygienist will probably resolve it.