Periodontal disease... Stage 4. Anyone able to recover from this?!

[Nickname1980]

Just that really. As I've posted on a couple of other threads, my periodontal disease is pretty bad. And I am getting a tooth extracted next week. And have the four quadrant cleanings booked with antibiotic injections.

Are my teeth screwed always?! Anyone recover from it?!

The dentist said they'll look ugly after as the gum shrinks and I'll get the "black triangles". I used to have a good smile! I'm totally gutted.

I didn't see this coming at all! Have been busy producing kids though. I'm so diligent at cleaning my teeth. Dentist reckoned it could be genetic.

Funny you should ask that Nickname as I started looking in more detail about cosmetic treatments last night. There's a perio not too far from me who can build the tooth out to the sides a bit with what looks like a filling material to close the gaps... it looks good on his website. And the laser place I had a consultation at does veneer that can be used on people with periodontitis but it's a fortune, something like £850 per tooth, so don't think I'll be going for that option! I haven't got my head around the gingival veneer yet.

Nickname do you think you'll do something similar?

I'm definitely tempted - I guess it depends what they look like when the treatment has finished. But already I feel a little self-conscious! I can get a purple interdental in between half of them!

I know I shouldn't mind and just be happy it's working. But my teeth are quite big anyway, so the gums shrinking back makes them look even bigger!

Not just yet nickname, I have chronic sciatica atm so 1) I couldn't sit any length of time in a dentist chair and 2) if needs be I'd rather use the money to pay for a private mri, waiting to see what the decision will be on my referral through nhs atm. Will look into it in the future.

I have found my people! Would like to thank everyone who's contributed to the discussion so far, I've just read all 8 pages and found it so helpful. Like others, I am filled with terror at the thought of losing my teeth and the enormity of the task of fixing it. I'm 42 and my teeth are "lovely" according to the dentist but my gums are a mess and I have a lot of bone loss. He says it must be genetic but regardless I still feel crap about it. I live in Ireland where in general things cost double what they do in the U.K. (I lived in the U.K. for many years so I know this to be true!) my dentist referred me for deep gum cleaning and it was gong to cost minimum €1000, €250 per quadrant plus the consultation and other bits. I just don't have that sort of money so I got an appointment at the dental hospital which means I'm treated by final year students as well as fully trained specialists. I'm starting the periodontal treatment next week and it's €32.50 per quadrant
I'm going to look into vitamin supplements now, as well as the gel you're all mentioning. I floss but am thinking of getting a waterpik too.
Anyway sorry for the long post, this is not something I feel I can discuss with anyone so it's really great to hear others experiences and get some advice.

Ahhh Macnab, join in the fun and the misery on here! The dental hospital should advise you how to clean your teeth on your first visit I think. Its brill you're being seen by somewhere that's so cheap. It's costing me a fortune and will continue to cost me a fortune with perio hygienist visits the rest of my life. You'll feel so much better once the treatment starts and remember they can stop the bone loss in its tracks so don't worry. My only regret is that somebody didn't advise me to go to a specialist sooner.

Hi mcnab! I'm glad you found this post and that it's helpful! Wow what a bargain cost.

I've just had the first half of my first half done (if that even makes sense!). I am a bit rubbish with anything to do with teeth and gums so found it a bit rough. The second half is about to begin, and the other side of my mouth is in a week. I actually feel a bit tearful! I will do all the good cleaning ever to avoid more in the future!

I will report back tomorrow to let you know how my gums are feeling if it's helpful!

Would totally advise anyone reading to see a specialist as soon as they can... get it done quickly and as early as they suspect!

Okay the above was a bit negative and I actually feel really positive after my second half of my treatment! So thought I better update.

The hygienist who did the first half kept offering to top up my anaesthetic as she could see I was uncomfortable - but I kept saying no as I have a bit of a fear of that needle.

But when I went to my Perio for the second half (who is so lovely and makes me feel at ease as soon as I walk in) I got the top up and it was totally and utterly painless.

I should have got the top up during the last treatment! I feel silly now for saying no when she asked a few times. The drugs do work

I have the exact same treatment on the other side of my mouth next week and no way am I refusing any top ups again.

So I had the scale and polish and waterlase therapy. I have been advised it'll be pretty sensitive for a few days.

My Perio has also advised probiotics, so I'm going to start taking them.

Phew.

So - in summary - my treatment was totally fine in the end. And am feeling really hopeful about the future of my teeth and gums.

Great news. I'm going to have a look at probiotics as well! I'm sorry the first part wasn't very comfortable. I am terrible with any sort of pain (I nearly didn't have a second baby because the first birth was so awful) so I'm happy to have any top up going and I'm happy to pay the extra for it if needs be. There was a point in my deep clean that one of the injections hadn't worked very well and I indicated for the hygienist to stop and get more anesthetic in my mouth :-). I thought there's no way I'm opening my mouth again until I can guarantee being completely numb.

Hopefully the next few days will be okay for you. I have to admit I felt pretty rough the morning after my deep clean and ended up lying down for half. After that everything was fine. I just wonder if it was all the drugs I'd had the day before and I'd also started the antibiotics at that point.

Anyway, at least it's all underway. I'm sure it's a relief.

missy - I think that's exactly what I'm going to do next week! I don't know why I refused two offers of top ups! The anesthetic has only just worn off too. But it doesn't feel too sore yet. I feel quite exhausted by it though. I am hoping my baby sleeps well tonight so I can too!!

I reduced mine hugely with these measures

Electric toothbrush
Corsydyl until gums stopped bleeding
Chewing sugar free gum
Flossing

pinkcrystal - I am going to try more sugarfree gum! I think that's a good jdea.

missy - the probiotics I've been given are lozenges called BioGaia ProDentis. I am to take one after brushing my teeth morning and night - going to start this evening!

@Nickname1980 sorry to bring up a old post but I’m going through exactly the same thing. Struggling to cope with how I let it get this bad and scared about what’s to come.

I have my first appointment after having done scale and root planning about 3 months ago on all quadrants. The recession I have on all my teeth stops me from talking yet alone smiling or laughing. It’s really set me back on my confidence and happiness.

I’m curious to find out if you had done any cosmetic treatment to improve the look of gaps and long teeth? It’s been nearly 4 months since I found out about the state of my gums and bones and I still break down every time I see myself in the mirror.

kaypa80 - I replied to your message but I didn’t read your post first.

Oh I felt the same my black triangles really got my down and affected my confidence. Years later, I’m getting used to them, but I constantly dream of getting cosmetic treatment. (But I also couldn’t smile or laugh without feeling awful, I don’t as much anymore.)

As soon as I have some spare money, I want to do pinhole gum surgery. I haven’t found the perfect place to do it yet (I’m in London) but it looks the least painful and with the results I want. My teeth are quite big (with or without the black triangles!), that I don’t want the fillers (if that’s the right term). I want the gum line down into my gaps!

But I have very much managed to keep my gum disease at bay, 2.5 years or so later. It has completely gone. A lot of hard work every day, but it’s gone.

You can definitely beat it!

Which cosmetic treatment were you thinking of getting?

@Nickname1980 Thank you so much for replying back so quickly. I’ve been a total mess for the past four months after being told how bad my bone loss were around my teeth. Reading through all 8 pages has given me some hope...

Hopefully my first maintenance appointment next Tuesday will result in some good news with pockets reducing (my initial pockets were 7s!).

If all goes well I’m hoping my perio could recommend cosmetic dentists who has dealt with these problems... I know getting my gums back to health is priority but I can’t stop obsessing at how awful my top front teeth look with the loss of interdental papilla and severe recession. Unfortunately it’s receded so much I don’t think gum graft or pinhole surgery could work in my case. My only hope might be adding bonding to fill the space...

Oh Kaypa80, I know exactly how you feel! I was kind of a mess over it, too. Both how far I’d let things go, and how I looked after.

Time does make it easier. My anxiety has subsided. With the hard work, you can get rid of gum disease for good. And once you get the cosmetic treatment, you’ll hopefully stop thinking about it. Even without the cosmetic treatment, I don’t obsess over how my teeth look, like I used to. Having said that, I definitely want to get something done.

It’s such a pain spending so much time every day on the new cleaning routine, but worth it.

I also take vitamin co q-10 supplements. Have you thought about those?

I hope you get your cosmetic treatment. Will you report back?

@Nickname1980 I’m taking vitamin c, fish oil and vitamin d at the moment daily. I’ll look into co q10, thank you.

Fingers crossed I get some good news next week and hopefully on track to stop the progress at least...

I’ll definitely report back on how I go and what options are available for me.

I wonder how others here have been going.. hopefully more positive updates

Do look into coq-10 - loads of studies about it and gum disease! I wasn’t taking it before I found out.

Fingers crossed on good news for you!

I’ve been wondering about the others too, @MissyMop123, @ @macnab, @PromisesPromises and the rest... any update?

It's just like old times! Kaypa80 I really want to give you hope about stabilising your gum disease. I've just had my readings taken at the periodontist again and everything is stable - I've had no more recession. I have a wisdom tooth that has literally been hanging on for 3 years but it's still there, unbelievably. Some of the readings on my molars were 10's and I'm sure I had a 12 but they're all still hanging on (literally!).

In terms of smile restoration.. I have a low lip line so a lot of the gaps in my front teeth are covered but I'm still very conscious of my teeth. I generally don't show my teeth when I smile now or I keep my top lip low. My front two teeth are crossing over and some of my teeth around the incisors are pushing forward. The first step for me would be to get the front ones realigned. I've been concerned that I may have to have a bone graft and implant if one of the molars decides to give up so I've been reserving money for that rather than getting anything realigned. Having said that my hygienist said to me she thinks I should just go ahead and get them realigned because everything is really stable.

I don't know how you feel about botox Kaypa80 but my hygienist did mentioned that you can get it put into the gum to swell it out. I'm sure your next visit will go well and you can feel happier overall. I'm sure your periodontist can let you know your options about restoration but to be honest my hygienist has been much more helpful!

To think my grandparents just had their false teeth floating around the house and didn't give a stuff!

@Nickname1980 - what happened to the tooth you were told you have to get extracted my your dentist? Did you get root canal?

Good to hear from you missymop! And it sounds like things are going so well! Honestly, all those years ago, I would have been so comforted hearing this. There’s hope for you, kaypa.

I didn’t know about Botox! That sounds interesting! Guessing it’s a temporary thing to top up? But sounds much less invasive than gum surgery...

I did have a root canal. I was told that tooth needed extracting, as things had gotten so bad. But it’s still there and not giving me any trouble whatsoever. It’s amazing what over-the-top good dental hygiene can do

Great news about that tooth Nickname 1980!

Hi I’m so glad I’ve found this thread !! I noticed myself that my gums were receding then after seeing the hygienist my pockets were getting larger I was referred to the perio , I too have severe gum disease and start my treatment in 2 weeks I’ve been absolutely devastated as the dentist can’t believe why it’s so severe as my oral hygiene is so good ! I however had such dire gums during my pregnancies this is where it could have started 😞 I’ve never felt so fed up and missy mop your first posts on here were exactly how I am feeling right now 😭I never been a depressive person but this has really put me down I already have triangles in my teeth and the hygienist said it’s because I’m fighting the gum disease my self but it will only get worse with treatment 😱 I’m only 42 and I really don’t want faulse teeth yet ! I had blood tests also done and found out I was anemic so now I’m taking iron and vitamin d and c so hopefully this will help ! I’ve googled everything about gum disease which I probably shouldn’t as I’ve scared myself but I’m glad I’ve found this page and I know it’s not only me in this position I guess we are just the unlucky ones but after reading there is a positive outcome im dreading having the treatment but also glad in a way that it’s all going to help hopefully ! I’ve gone private as I need sorting ASAP but my dentist has wrote to the hospital is anyone else on here been seen by the nhs and if so how is it ??

@Lexielou123 - it sounds as though we have a similar thing going on. I don't think the severity of my problems was picked up by the dentist because, like you, my oral hygiene was good. My perio said sometimes you can just be unlucky. I have something called aggressive periodontitis which has reeeeaaally eaten into the bone around my molars and also around the incisors. My mum had problems with her gums and also went through treatment in her early 50's. I always thought it was because she was a heavy smoker but now I realise maybe not.

I really want to give you hope. I didn't find the treatment bad at all. I actually remember having a sense of relief that finally something was being done. It was just before Christmas and after the treatment I stayed shopping in the city centre, half my face still numb, but feeling so much more positive that I was being helped. I think you'll feel the same way.

There was another thread on mumsnet with a lady who did get referred to an NHS dentistry hospital and that worked out really well for her. Unfortunately the dentist I was seeing at the time said he wouldn't refer me, they'd just expect him to manage everything going on with my gums. I hope you have better luck. I've actually read since that if a dentist suspects aggressive periodontitis they should be referred to a dental hospital but I know there are such little funds now in the NHS.

I'm really glad you've found this thread and you can speak to people who have been through the process. It was a major help for me when I was going through everything. And yes, google is a nightmare and actually very unhelpful. I wouldn't say my perio and hygienist are blasé about my mouth but they are very relaxed about it - they see this sort of thing every day I guess - and that makes me more relaxed as well. Honestly, I think as soon as you get the ball rolling you'll start to feel so much better.

Update on my first maintenance checkup (4 months after my initial scale and root planing).

Perio measured my pockets and thankfully they have all reduced to mostly 3s with

Oh no missymop how do they know it’s eaten into your bones that’s so awful 😞. I had my treatment done yesterday it was horrendous I felt awful and just cried after it was done I hate how this is making me such a depressive person I really feel as though I can’t get the whole thing out of my head , I was told before the treatment to be prepared for them to look a lot worse I just really can’t handle this as they look bad enough not it’s my front tooth the pocket is 6 and has already receeded , did you all experience a lot of recession after the treatment ? I can’t stand the black triangles I have now ! I’m meant to be out with friends on Saturday but I don’t want to go I honestly don’t feel myself I just feel horrible but it’s out of my control and there is absolutely nothing I can do , I have the left side done next week and I’m Dreading it ! Is the recession because the guns are getting better ? Also I asked about the bonding can this be done on the front teeth as soon as my gums have been stabilised I need this doing

Also the pero said cordosoyl mouth wash doesn’t really help has everyone been told this and what’s best to use he got rid of the staining yesterday which the mouth wash gave me and from that they looked better xx