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Original poster

Anybody with gum disease or receding gums want to chat - feel like I’m the only person in the world with this awful disease

199 replies

Shootingstarsparkle · 07/01/2023 12:35

Hi, exactly what the title says basically - I have chronic periodontitis and severely receding gums. I’m so scared and my every waking moment I worry about losing my teeth. It’s affecting my whole life. Just wanted someone to chat to about it all really and wondering if anyone else is in the same position

OP posts:
beck1976 · 17/02/2023 16:54

Hi I am in the same position as you, have just been told I have this and am feeling panicked and scared all the time. It’s all I can think of.
I had actually just posted a new thread asking if anyone had this, then searched up to see if there were any more posts on here about it.

Freysimo · 17/02/2023 17:00

Please don't panic. I'm 70 with gum disease and still have most of my teeth! I see a hygienist privately four times a year and she gives me a deep clean and makes sure I'm keeping on top of cleaning. I'm assiduous with flossing, using those little dental brushes and an electric toothbrush.

It's not always to do with poor dental hygiene, some people are just more prone to gum disease.

crackofdoom · 17/02/2023 17:08

I have gum disease and they're receding "but not badly" yet, and you know what really, really boils my piss? That deep cleans/ scale and polishes are almost impossible to get on the NHS any more. I'm a single mum on benefits and really don't have £200- 300 a year to spend on dental hygienists- yet I have to. It's a clinical necessity, not vanity 🙄

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:16

Oh me too. I've had some treatments, was expensive but the pockets have gone! So I just have to keep on top of it now.

I am quite self conscience of a black triangle between my teeth.

beck1976 · 17/02/2023 17:24

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:16

Oh me too. I've had some treatments, was expensive but the pockets have gone! So I just have to keep on top of it now.

I am quite self conscience of a black triangle between my teeth.

What treatments did you have? Was it just the deep clean regularly?

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:29

No it was surgery. They cut the gum open and cleaned under it and evened out the bone as their was some bone loss

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:30

I had had the deep cleans but it wasn't stabilising

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:30

It's now stable, just one small area with a pocket

Redruby2020 · 17/02/2023 17:32

Mine is from over brushing, yes it does happen, spent a lot of time brushing but also brushing too hard.

I can vouch for the situation with the NHS, since years ago, because of changes made to the way they work/charge etc, I have heard very few say that they got a clean done on the NHS! It was supposed to be what is clinically necessary, but i don't think some are even doing that now.
I had a hygienist treatment last year and planning to do it soon again too, it was £60 for one hour.

My main concerns are age/hormones stress causing issues. But we can all do the best we can and look after them as much as possible. I have seen a lot worse, both in and out of work, as I used to work in dentistry.

samantha69 · 17/02/2023 17:37

I am sorry to hear your plight I also have the same seeing a hygienist is the best course of action and corsidil mouth wash

samantha69 · 17/02/2023 17:37

I hope you get on top of it Flowers

JamMakingWannaBe · 17/02/2023 17:40

Freysimo · 17/02/2023 17:00

Please don't panic. I'm 70 with gum disease and still have most of my teeth! I see a hygienist privately four times a year and she gives me a deep clean and makes sure I'm keeping on top of cleaning. I'm assiduous with flossing, using those little dental brushes and an electric toothbrush.

It's not always to do with poor dental hygiene, some people are just more prone to gum disease.

This gives me hope, thank you. I was expecting to lose my teeth by 50! I have a regular savings account just for my future expected dentistry bills - on top of the £18/mth I pay for my hygiene plan.

In addition to above, I use a disclosure tablet once a week.

I should have bought shares in TePe brushes! I feel I single handedly keep them in business - and that's from bulk buying online!

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:45

Oh yes the bloody brushes! I get through loads. Has anyone found a cheaper alternative that works? Or a cheap way to buy them?

I have them in my car and at my desk and constantly having a wiggle!

Oblomov23 · 17/02/2023 17:46

I have problems even though I see the hygienist twice a year.

ButtonandTiny · 17/02/2023 17:53

I also have this, paid to go for private treatment last year. I had a 'proper' deep clean, not like the one I was getting at my NHS dentist. I've been strict with my interdental brushes and all of my pockets had shrunk at my 3 month check.
I've signed up for a £25 a month plan that includes 4 hygienist visits and 2 dental check ups a year. Not a cost I wanted to pay but feel I need it to keep on top of the disease.

cheapskatemum · 17/02/2023 18:06

Mine developed during Covid lockdowns when dentists were shut. I'm glad the hygienist is leaving because she was really disparaging, but when I was able to get the plaque removed I kept it away with regular cleaning & TePe interdental brushes. I hope the new hygienist is nicer!

beck1976 · 17/02/2023 20:35

Have read on another post about how probiotics can help your gums improve. Does anyone know of any good ones that could help with oral health?

MsJuniper · 18/02/2023 09:37

I use these:

www.boots.com/dentek-eco-slim-brush-iso1-pink-32s-10314794

I stock up whenever they are on 3 for 2.

My gums are slowly getting worse but hygienist is so expensive. Whenever I am assiduous with the brushes and mouthwash I feel things improve though. I don't get bleeding any more.

My siblings are much more lax with their teeth and have barely had a whisper of a problem over the years so I guess sometimes it is luck of the draw.

Beebumble2 · 18/02/2023 09:57

My sympathy to you all. I’m in the same position, despite having private dentistry for years ( Must have paid ££££). I try my best to keep them clean, brushing, interdental brushes, water pic, flossing and using toothpaste that’s supposed to help. It’s mostly my back teeth, I’ve lost two Molars. None of this is helped by having two back teeth removed when I was young because there was no room for them.
My dentist has told me it’s hereditary, so luck of the draw! My parent are no longer here so I can ask them. I find it very depressing.

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:34

@beck1976 - Hi! Thank you so much for replying and reviving this thread! I am so sorry that you are going through this also - it is really rubbish isn’t it?! Has your dentist told you how bad your condition is? I found out about my periodontitis by accident about 3 years ago when I read it on my X-ray forms - the dentist didn’t even tell me and I was visiting every 6 months, I was aware of receding gums but I thought it was due to pregnancy. My dentist was horrible and just flippantly told me I would eventually lose my teeth - I was so traumatised I haven’t been back, this was 3 years ago and they have definitely got worse - I am so scared! I obviously brush well, use a Waterpik once a day and swill twice daily with Gengigel (soooo expensive but it does soothe) I take vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and CQ10 - not sure if they actually help but if I stop taking them my gums do become sore so I guess they must help a bit! This condition has affected me so much mentally - I used to have such a beautiful smile and it has really knocked my confidence. Anyway, I hope you are ok - I wish I had some advice to pass on but for now I just wanted to say you are definitely not alone and I hope you can get some help with this horrible problem xx

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:39

Freysimo · 17/02/2023 17:00

Please don't panic. I'm 70 with gum disease and still have most of my teeth! I see a hygienist privately four times a year and she gives me a deep clean and makes sure I'm keeping on top of cleaning. I'm assiduous with flossing, using those little dental brushes and an electric toothbrush.

It's not always to do with poor dental hygiene, some people are just more prone to gum disease.

Thank you for replying - so reassuring! I’m glad you have managed to keep most of your teeth xx Definitely a genetic thing for me - my Mum had to have all her teeth removed when she was pregnant with me in the 70’s due to gum disease. This is such a rubbish disease! Any tips for me Freysimo?

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:40

crackofdoom · 17/02/2023 17:08

I have gum disease and they're receding "but not badly" yet, and you know what really, really boils my piss? That deep cleans/ scale and polishes are almost impossible to get on the NHS any more. I'm a single mum on benefits and really don't have £200- 300 a year to spend on dental hygienists- yet I have to. It's a clinical necessity, not vanity 🙄

@crackofdoom - I totally agree!!

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:41

Radi0 · 17/02/2023 17:16

Oh me too. I've had some treatments, was expensive but the pockets have gone! So I just have to keep on top of it now.

I am quite self conscience of a black triangle between my teeth.

That’s amazing!! I’m so pleased! I have lots of black triangles and I hate them!

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:43

Redruby2020 · 17/02/2023 17:32

Mine is from over brushing, yes it does happen, spent a lot of time brushing but also brushing too hard.

I can vouch for the situation with the NHS, since years ago, because of changes made to the way they work/charge etc, I have heard very few say that they got a clean done on the NHS! It was supposed to be what is clinically necessary, but i don't think some are even doing that now.
I had a hygienist treatment last year and planning to do it soon again too, it was £60 for one hour.

My main concerns are age/hormones stress causing issues. But we can all do the best we can and look after them as much as possible. I have seen a lot worse, both in and out of work, as I used to work in dentistry.

@Redruby2020 - yes I totally agree! I’m a complete stress head and I think stress has definitely made my condition worse! Hormones too, I’m 45 so I think that could be a contributing factor also

ElizaDoolittle77 · 18/02/2023 10:44

samantha69 · 17/02/2023 17:37

I am sorry to hear your plight I also have the same seeing a hygienist is the best course of action and corsidil mouth wash

@Samantha69 - sorry to hear this, what treatment have you had done with the hygienist? And did it hurt???