Aibu to be freaking out about my gum disease?

[Winealot]

Been told by the dentist a couple of weeks ago that I have periodontal disease affecting my top front teeth. They had been feeling peculiar and sensitive and black triangles had developed between the front teeth and the ones next to them.
Dentist said its really bad luck as my oral hygiene is excellent and possibly because my teeth are quite crowded.
Have been for one deep clean under the gum line last week and have 2 more where he will do the same and apply an antibiotic gel. He seems to think this will help, but some of the pockets are quite big (5mm)
I am so miserable because of these spaces, they trap food and I am really self conscious as I think my teeth now look awful and am worried they are going to get worse!
I understand I can have some cosmetic dentistry like bonding to make them look better but won't be able to think about this until the gum disease is under control. Feel like I'm wishing my life away until I can get to the stage this can be done!
Totally know I could have much bigger things to worry about which is why this is an AIBU!
Any experiences that can be shared would be appreciated 😀

Feel your pain. I'm off to the periodontist tomorrow as I have a similar issue in 2 of my back teeth. How old are you? I'm 56 and this is the only intervention I've needed for over 25 years.

Mid 40's. I have had my fair share of fillings etc, hence why I'm obsessive about flossing and always use an electric toothbrush!
What is your treatment plan Savagebeauty? It's such a worry isn't it? I know I must come across as vain, but there is also the health implications to think of.
Really hope it goes well for you tomorrow. X

I know how you feel in mid 20''s and I have full periodontal disease of my whole mouth.
My teeth look great tho except one is receded badly anyway it can quickly be manages and come recover pretty quick with good cleaning and maintenance

Get a water pik with the perodontal tip it's great!

A water pik is essential for getting food particles out of the pockets.
Use it ever time you eat. Only takes a minute or so.

I have been treated twice in the past for gum disease, and has just started again, I clean often use interdental brushes and mouthwash
I can't understand it even my dentist was surprised as with disclosure tablets nothing showed and they said my brushing n flossing routine was really good
I do have some areas of recession and that bothers me more than anything
I am interested in all responses my dentist talked me out of buying a water pik as that was my next thing to try

I wouldn't worry, though I wonder why you have so much gum recession from what are not really deep pockets I thought gum recession was more notable once you'd had deep root cleanings as the gum repairs you'll notice the recession. Its not a major deal to have restorative care or crowns for your problems you're by no means at the top end of gum disease.

Id start using inter dental brushes to make sure you clean out all the debris maybe try and use them every time you eat.

Interesting re the Waterpik. Which one do you have? Just had a quick look on Amazon and there are loads! I have used one before and found it really messy etc, maybe I need a different model? Thank you

Id try inter dental first they come in a mm sizes to fit your teeth exactly most periodontists recommend them.

They suggest when you use an electric brush you hold the brush on the tooth ( Front and back) for about 5/10 seconds and move onto the next tooth.

I have a Philips sonicare water pik (hx8240) and love it. Easy to guide and use. My last one was really messy but this delivers. A short sharp burst when button pressed. Can also be used with mouthwash in it. Perfect after food

CiaoVerona, I have no idea why I have this gum recession - it's the papilla between the teeth that has receded. That's the thing that is making me so miserable as they look like black bits between my teeth! Think it's caused by the bone loss.
Thanks for all the info re waterpiks and interdental brushes. I do use these sometimes but worry I will make the spaces bigger!
The dentist also said stress can be a factor and there has been plenty of that in the last year. X

I have noticed spaces between my teeth at the gum line. It did bother me until I started false teeth spotting.

Ooft false teeth and dayglow in the dark gnashers are the stuff of nightmares.

You can actually get gum grafting where gum from the top of your mouth is transplanted around the teeth with bad recession. Common here in the states, don't know if they do it on the NHS. You could probably go private in the UK with a periodontal surgeon.

I have heard of gum grafting, but don't think this helps for interdental spaces. Only option is veneers or composite bonding to cover them which is galling when there is nothing wrong with your teeth! But I will do anything to hide the black triangles, even though it's going to cost.
Have to get the periodontal disease stable first though, so will have to live with what I look like for a while yet!
I wouldn't mind if I'd neglected things! X

Do you mind me asking if you smoke? Or have anything like diabetes that Isn't well controlled? Issues like this have a huge impact on periodontal health.
I know you are worried about the aesthetics but you'd want to be certain that your periodontal condition was stable before undergoing anything cosmetic. That'll take some time to ascertain whether disease process is static.
Especially aesthetic procedures that will impact on your ability to clean interproximally.
TePes are best for this plus a good toothbrushing technique. If your teeth are too tight together for the smallest TePe, then need a good floss/tape technique. Does your dentist have a hygienist or therapist? Your dentist sounds great btw

Dunno if you're private or NHS, but if NHS, it would probably help to get 3 monthly appointments with a hygienist (Denplan cover this - am sure others do, too). As I've noticed dentists do a quick scale and polish, but a proper hygiene appointment, you get much better attention as well as great advice, and they can help monitor things really well.

My private dentist recently started letting people register just with the hygienist (you used to have to be one of their patients) and I'd guess this is getting commoner, now. My husband is NHS but loves going to the hygienist! Just a one-off payment, he can go, now.

My teeth are too close together so I can't use an interdental brush at all - I use dental tape (prefer it to floss). Think once the pockets get above 2mm, nothing much can really get into them to clean them properly - or at least, a toothbrush can't. My hygienist says to use a soft toothbrush, as well, as that does get under the gumline a bit better.

I've had scales and polishes with dentists but they have never taken more than a few minutes. A decent hygiene appointment might be 20 mins - half an hour (or more) and that makes a world of difference, to my teeth. I'm middle aged too and went for years without a single hygiene visit but have had a lot less issues since I started going.

I think 3 monthly visits with the hygienist helps. My pockets have been 2m - 7m. The 7mm pocket is now 2mm again. If I don't get a 3 monthly app they deteriorate rapidly. Also I have found eating a chunk of cheese after sweet foods has improved my gum health.

Just got back.
I have localised deep pockets in a couple of back teeth but nowhere else....have booked in for 2 deep cleans under local anaesthetic and 3 weeks of antibiotics.
She said it could be caused by bacteria from a throat infection a year ago where I thought I had toothache from the pain. Also stress.
So all should be well..she was confident this will work.
The bill is £675 but worth every penny

Op I have full peridontal disease, my teeth are healthy but wobbly. I have only ever had one filling.

I have almost permanent anemia. There are ongoing studies (will try to find a link) to determine whether anemia causes peridontal disease or vice versa.

Have you have your iron levels tested recently?

In gum grafting the new gum is sewn tightly around the root to prevent pockets. The new gum adjusts and behaves as healthy gum tissue around teeth should.

Are you seeing the dentist for this or the hygienist? Hygienists are specialist in this area and theoretically can advise better than a dentist. A dentist is like a GP for teeth in a way. Just wondering if you might get more reassurance from someone in that area?

Family member is one and they work in an NHS practice and the dentist refers lots of NHS patients onto them so it's not a private only thing.

Hi, will try and answer all the questions! I used to smoke, not for 8 months now although I do vape a bit but can't find anything to say this would cause gum disease on this level and so fast! No diabetes or anaemia.
I have denplan, so 6 monthly visits it to hygienist and dentist although missed last years as lots going on with family illness and bereavement.
Saw hygienist mid April for a clean and she said no sign of gum disease.
My dentist is doing the deep clean treatment, he is an implant specialist so is also very well versed with periodontal disease.
Savage, glad it can all be sorted! X