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General health

Is it worth seeing GP for gum disease?

11 replies

Gummymare · 12/11/2017 08:40

My teeth are loose and I have been told that I have a lot of bone loss in my gums. I do clean my teeth and use Corsadyl, but the progression seems pretty relentless.
I don't smoke. My dentist asked me if I had any underlying health problems, which I don't as far as I know. I wondered if there was any link with the menopause, but I can't find anything conclusive.

Any suggestions please?

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Backingvocals · 12/11/2017 08:51

Some kind of inflammatory condition? Thyroid problems can cause gum disease.

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PerfectlyDone · 12/11/2017 08:54

The expert in gum disease is really your dentist and they should be treating it actively (at least 3 monthly hygienist visits, ?antibiotics, ??consider assessment by oral surgeon - in extreme cases 'pockets' of gum may be surgically removed to stop ongoing inflammation).

See your GP for a general health check, fair enough, but they cannot address the oral problem provided you are otherwise healthy.

Maybe ask your dentist for a referral to a secondary service/dental hospital??

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Gummymare · 12/11/2017 09:35

Thank you both for your replies. That's interesting Backing, I didn't know there was a link with thyroid problems.
I know that dentists are the best professionals for oral disease Perfectly but it was him who asked if I had any underlying health issues as the bone loss is so bad.

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PerfectlyDone · 12/11/2017 09:37

If it's bone loss then your gum disease has likely gone on for a long time, sorry.

Get checked out by your GP.

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Gummymare · 12/11/2017 11:46

Thanks, do you know of any underlying issues which might have contributed?

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Marmite27 · 12/11/2017 11:48

They’ll most likely send you back to your dentist.

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PurplePillowCase · 12/11/2017 11:49

if you have bone loss than checking with gp if your bone health is generally ok is a good idea.
you might need a blood test and bone scan.

in case you need treatment for osteoporosis, you teeth/gums need to be in tip top condition. so go along woth dentist/hygienist for treatment and check ups.

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Miniwerewolfhugs · 12/11/2017 11:51

If there's bone loss could it be linked to osteoporosis? Would it be worth getting checked for that. I don't know anything about it just wondering.

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Missingstreetlife · 12/11/2017 13:19

Check your vitamin d levels

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Floralnomad · 12/11/2017 13:23

I was told by a peridontist that bone loss around teeth is compeletely unrelated to osteoporosis , don’t know whether that is true though . I’ve got gum problems and bone loss , the rest of my bones are fine . Coincidentally I do have hypothyroidism but I didn’t know the two were related , and my hypothyroidism is usually well controlled .

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Intercom · 12/11/2017 13:39

Any chance it could be diabetes? Apparently it increases the likelihood of dental problems.

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