Recending Gums

[Icenii]

I'm 43. I have really bad gum recession. I use a toothbrush that flashes red if too much pressure is applied and floss about 80% of the time but it is just getting worse. Looks bad after last couple of months. Dentist thinks I brush too hard but my new brush doesn't agree.

Any ideas? I'm worried my teeth will fall out. It looks awful.

@Icenii how many times a day do you brush or floss?

Brush twice a day and floss most evenings. Use mouthwash and some gel too. Every morning, I can feel my gums, if that makes sense.

Oh that is so awful for you. I had hoped you were going to say you were a smoker and drinker of alcohol and that you only cleaned in the mornings.

I don't know if your dentist has suggested this, but 3 monthly visits to the hygienist might have to be on the cards. The hygienist, once they have seen your mouth, may be able to give advice as to why so much plaque is happening.

I have receding gums. You need to go to a dentist to do a gum check - they do a number check on the ‘pockets’ between and around your Getty to diagnose what stage your gums are. I have had other dentists telling me that I’m brushing too hard too but really it is gum disease for me. After diagnosis then you might be asked to use teepees and see hygienist regularly or rehabs a gum specialist treatment (I use teepees which have really helped, also electric toothbrush and hygienist scaling often, although lockdown hasn’t help that.)

Getty? Gums I mean!

Would recommend the Orawellness Healthy Mouth Blend, its a blend of essential oils, and has really helped me when I've had gum issues in the past. Their blog has lots of info also, so worth a read. But yes to the hygienist and pocket measure. Look to some supplements too, vitamin D and CoQ10 may be really helpful

I’m 41 and I had this a few years ago. I know exactly what you mean by feeling the gums - I used to get it in a particular place. I was always told by my old dentist that I was over-brushing and so I did the electric toothbrush thing and went very carefully. Things didn’t improve until I changed dentist and she emphasised the need for better interdental hygiene.

I hated flossing as I had bad technique and it hurt the gums, so started with teepee brushes. Things calmed down and now my gums are fine; plus I also floss every day now.

I would keep going with your routine but add interdental brushes before each brushing and see how you go. Try a mixed pack and find the right sizes for your gaps. It’s addictive as they keep your teeth feeling very clean!

I do see the hygentist every 6 months, or did before lock down. And I use floss of those fork sticks. I'm could use interdental brushes too but feel very bad about all the plastic. I have never smoked, and eat a healthy veggie diet and enjoy wine at the weekends. I guess you still need to floss with the interdental brushes?

My husband does nothing other than brush twice daily, ex smoker, drinks more and has perfect teeth! I've love braces but worry about them making the receding worse.

Even though I flossed every day I was beginning to have a similar problem. My dentist said he didn't hold much faith in flossing and advised me that as well as that, to try TePe brushes like these: www.tepe.com/uk/products/interdental-brushes/angle/p-angle-pink/
They come in a variety of sizes so I started with the smallest first, using a tiny touch of toothpaste on the brush between each of the teeth at night. They're really good at getting into the spaces between the back teeth.
I now have no problem at all......and I no longer floss, just use these.

If you have great hygiene already, 100% coQ10 and vit D supplements. I'm veggie too and the coQ10 is primarily in organ meats and heart, so not like I'm likely to get much of that!

Another thing you could try is a water flosser, on a gentle setting. I’ve been using one a while now as I have fixed braces, and like it a lot. I don’t think it’s as good as the teepees, however. Perhaps you could see their use as a temporary thing?

What’s nice about interdental brushes, when you have this kind of sore recession, is that they kind of massage the gums. A brush can last quite a long time if you’re careful to use the right size.

I've tried all the above without any change. I think it's hereditary.

Do you have type 1 or type 2 gums? I was told I have very thin gum tissue and that's why I have this problem.

I'm looking into gum lifts and gum grafts now for the worst teeth. Costs a fortune though and looks a mess.

I also have very thin gums and have had some recession. There's nothing really 'wrong' with my gums, they're just not very good.

I had gum grafts last year on the two worst areas and, although they probably don't look great if you look really closely, they're a million times better than they were before and I'm really happy with them.

Thought I had posted but it didn't show up. No idea on thickness but I will ask. I do have thin and dry corneas so wouldn't surprise me if my gums were thin too. I did use clove oil as a teen when I had an ulcer under my tooth, it was so painful, but I ended up burning my gums with it and they peeled in places.

Gum grafts are so expensive and I'd want a fair few. How do famous people have such perfect teeth and gums, I always notice them now.

OP do you use mouthwash after flossing? I remember years ago an article saying you should wait 40mins between brushing and mouth washing, I can't for the life of me remember what source or even evidence that backed it up but it's always stuck with me and I abide by it religiously!

Mine are receding in places. My dentist just said that it’s a normal part of ageing, and not to worry, your teeth are longer than you think.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 - sorry for a tangent question but what dosage of COQ10 do you use? And where do you buy from?

@TeenTitan007 I'm actually using ubiquinol for fertility now (a more bio-available form of Q10) and it is much better. Its this one, the 100 mg www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7&crid=3AFSO1GY7N5R8&sprefix=vesisor%2Cdrugstore%2C143&i=drugstore&k=vesisorb+ubiquinol&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I had quite severe receding gums in my 20s that they think was caused by a medication I took. I couldn’t have a gum graft due to risk to me for health reasons but the dentist out composites on the top half of my teeth to reach the gum.

It obviously doesn’t resolve the causation but just to let you know that there is a cheaper and good solution. My teeth look a little bigger now than they used to but you’d never know otherwise.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 - thank you so much! Did you start slow or just take the regular dose? What's your regular dose?

I have inherited gum disease and have lost many teeth

But having finally braved the hygienist (worse than the dentist in my book!), she does pocket flushing and gave me the rubber TePe picks to use between my teeth. Mouth looks a million times better and seems to have stopped the rot at last. I say "rot", my actual teeth are pristine as long as I can hang on to them!

Those using the TeePee brushes, did you find they caused little black triangles between your teeth?

Place marking .

I have gum disease and receding gums.Had them for years, likely hereditary. I've also a loose molar but it hasn't changed in years.
I have a local anaesthetic and a deep clean twice a year. My teeth are so sensitive I can't tolerate without the LA. A water flosser sent me through the roof.
Booked in next week. Hate it!