Awful gums (pic included)

[Humphreyshead]

I’ve recently had 4 deep cleans under my gum line because my gums have been inflamed and Xray’s showed bone loss.

I have pockets and will have to keep very on top of my dental care. More so than normal.

I’m not sure how my gums ended up in this state, but here I am 🙄

My aim now is to not lose them! But I’m also conscious of how they look. The ‘black triangles’ and the fact that they’ve moved quite a bit causing gaps… particularly the bottom ones.

Do you think they’re beyond braces to help realign them? Or will they just fall out?… My dentist says they’re loose, but now they’ve been deep cleaned the gums should shrink and tighten around them again.

Has anyone ever covered black triangles/gaps? How would I do this?

Another pic straight on…

I think they look fine. Perhaps a shock to you if you had a lot of tartar build up in the gaps but honestly they look good.

They look great, the black triangles are just gaps where the plaque has been removed. Perfectly normal

They look good. The gums will move into the gaps a bit now. Honestly, they look great.

Yes you notice the gaps now because you’re not used to them. But you don’t smile showing that much gum (I assume!) so it won’t be noticeable. Your teeth look nice and clean.

Do you have the little bottle brush picks? They are good to keep the gaps fresh

Thanks! I wasn’t expecting these replies. The black triangle gaps and the gaps between the bottom teeth making me very self conscious.

Dentist said my teeth are fine. Just the gums are the issue.

I have the interdental brushes, a long single angled brush for the pockets, and an electric brush.

I think they look fine too! Your teeth are beautifully white which is the overwhelming impression

Try not to snarl at anyone and no one will notice…

I've worked with a gum specialists and orthodontists, generally it is not recommended to get braces while you have issues with your gum. It can make your gum issues worse. You could maybe look at cosmetic bonding, but adding anything to your teeth can make them harder to keep clean, I would really recommend you just work on keeping them clean and helping to settle the gum disease and then in time if you're still unhappy explore your options. They look lovely and clean and I don't think many others are going to notice the black triangles, we are our own worst critics! You should smile proud 😊

😂 Thank you!

I genuinely didn’t mean for this thread to be fishing for compliments. I do appreciate your replies.

Thank you. This was what I was wondering about braces/realignment. My teeth are more wobbly than what’s normal because of bone loss and Is hate for them to get worse.

I feel like the old expression ‘long in the tooth’ applies to me and In only 40 🙈

Your dentist / dental hygienist has done a grand job there - sparkling clean!

As the gum recovers (because deep cleans are quite brutal) it will soften and plump up again: I know this because I have quite crowded lower teeth and, in spite of my best efforts, do have to get a proper job done every couple of years. It's not pleasant, but it's worth it.

If I were you, I'd give it a good four months or so to allow your mouth to heal properly, then maybe speak to an orthodontist (also personally I think your teeth are perfectly charming as they are).

Oh and yes, the wee interdental brushes are really good.

Thank you @AffIt

She’s used local to get right under the gumline. I’ve had 4 sessions all within the last 6 weeks. I’ve got my next one booked in Feb. Hopefully I can keep on top of it enough to keep them healthy.

The pockets are tricky to keep clean, but the interdental brushes and the right angled pokey brush are working

The second photo is what people will see when you speak and smile, and they look absolutely fine. Really nice, even, white teeth.
Have you tried a water flosser? I git one for about £25 on Amazon and I love it.

I do have a water flosser. I tried it for a few times but felt like my teeth were falling out… even though they weren’t! I might try it again, as it might be good for the pockets in the gaps:

They look great OP!

DH is going through similar. Always had good oral hygiene, eats well etc. He stopped smoking 8yrs ago, but does still vape. I assume his is vastly genetic, because his dad and grandfather's teeth are the same.

When DH came home from his 1st, intensive clean at the dental hospital- I was shocked to see all the black triangles! If the intensive cleaning doesn't work, they said some sort of bone grafting is the next option. I'm not sure whether this removes the black triangles though?

Your teeth are fairly straight! IF, after all the treatments, you want something done about the front overlapping, something like Invisalign would likely be better than train track type braces. Obviously take advice from your dentist/specialist etc though.

I had a similar problem but more of just an alignment issue. I investigated loads of solutions from having them all pulled and implants, veneers, bonding and aligners. bonding might be a good solution for you its cosmetic but non invasive they just score your teeth to allow the resin to have some purchase. The dentist then models new teeth in front of your old teeth. it can give you a "perfect smile" and when i had it included whitening to help it all match and look natural. Its also reversable which is what sold me as i didnt want to have to spend loads to get it refreshed (unlike implants). for what its worth i opted for nanofill bonding but had to travel to yorkshire to get it done. took a few hours but im well happy with the result.

They look good. I've been through this though I'm older than you. Following on from the actual treatment I was initially having quarterly hygienist appointments and now 6 monthly. She's said they are really stable now and the gums have plumped up but I'm always going to have a couple of triangles. I'm just happy I've still got my teeth!

Thank you. I’ll look in to it. I live close to yorkshire

That’s what I’m trying to focus on.

I’ve had 2 deep cleans and have another in feb. I’ve got to keep on top of keeping the pockets clean. Which is trickier than I thought.

Do you smoke? Smoking causes shrinking gums.

Not for 15 yrs. but the damage is likely already done