Tooth/gum issue, petrified!

[Fanciedachange1]

About 2 nights ago I noticed tenderness when brushing my teeth and a small amount of blood. It seems to be the second tooth from the back at the top left hand side.

I had a look with a lot of mirror angling and the gum seems red and slightly inflamed.

I’m wondering if it is possibly an abscess (never had one before). I have a routine dental check up on the 12 september, but should I be making an emergency appt to get it looked at sooner?

I have a real phobia of the dentist so my mind is in overdrive and im panicking to the point of feeling like i may have a panic attack.

Sounds like gum disease. Do you floss?

It’s gingivitis. An abscess would present itself as high up in the mouth as it usually occurs around the root of the tooth.

pilates gum disease is an advanced case of gingivitis where the gum is pulling away from the tooth and forming pockets.

OP I would suggest you make a dentist/hygienist appnt with a surgery that specialises in phobias.

I admit that i don’t floss as routine, just if i feel i have something between my teeth. I use an electric toothbrush and listerine mouthwash x2 a day.

I have had a nasty sickness bug this week so haven’t been eating much and rinsing my mouth out more often than usual (as well as brushing more)

Sleep free zone i see the same dentist each time which helps and i have recently started seeing a hygienist for in between dentist appts and she specialises in phobias and it flipping brilliant at it!

What can i do for now to help the issue? Should i make an earlier appointment or keep to sept 12th? I really appreciate these replies, thank you everyone

I would floss and make sure the area had a good clean. Keep an eye on it as I suspect it will sort itself out but daily flossing would be a really good idea if you want to prevent gibigivitis.

Thank you so much, i will give it a floss and i also have some corsodyl which says it is good for gingivitis so will try that.

As much as having a dental phobia is a pain, it does at least help me understand my patients who have hospital phobias so it does have its plus side!

There are lots of different things you can use for flossing. Some people love the little teepee brushes you can get. I get on really well with expanding floss, some people like tape. It really depends on your teeth. I also use a water irrigation system as I’m prone to gingivitis around a front crown. You might look at those too.

Thats interesting as i was looking at the water ones but wasn’t sure if they would be worth the money.

I have a set of the interdental brushes as i have a front tooth gap, but i dont think any of these would fit between my other teeth.

Have you bought a new toothbrush recently? I find that my brushing style becomes increasingly aggressive as my brush softens with age and use, and then when I buy a new one I need to ease off or it's too abrasive!

Tinydancer, i usually use an electric toothbrush but for the past few days i have been using a manual due to being ill. I find it easiier to do my tongue and cheeks and threw it away once i was better.