Any dental hygenists / dentists here

[happyinherts]

Posting on behalf of a neighbour who is ashamed of her teeth and scared.

She is late 50s, front teeth very wobbly due to gum disease, plaque from not seeing a hygienist. She is worried that if she sees one now, by removing the plaque this will make the teeth even wobblier and fall out. They'll probably fall out in due course anyway, but her question is it ever too late to see a hygienist. Will her teeth fall out due to prodding, scaling etc.

No dentists at MNHQ unfortunately but we're just bumping this in hopes someone will be along soon.

Following. My teeth are an awful state, I’m in pain but I’m too terrified of dentists and ashamed to see one. One day the pain will be unbearable enough for long enough that I won’t have a choice.

I don't know the answer sorry but definitely advise her to just make an appointment and go and speak to them. They'll have seen loads of people with similar conditions and be able to advise her the best thing to do. Maybe phone and explain first so they known her worries. I'd prob start with a dentist rather than a hygienist as she may be needing other treatment as well and they will be able to assess her whole mouth ans make a plan. Gum disease can be treated so they may be able to help improve things or at least stop the damage. Does she use corsydl mouthwash (chlorhexadine mouthwash is the generic name and much cheaper if you get the own brand version!)? This can really help with gum disease so might be a start while she waots for an appointment.

Not a dentist, but my MIL had gum disease and it can be treated and managed to stabilise, depending on how advanced it is. Agree with PP that seeing a dentist would be the first step, they will measure the gums, take x-rays, and decide on a course of action going forward. I think plaque is the sticky feeling you get on your teeth at the end of the day sometimes, and is brushed away, then it becomes something else (tartar, maybe) without brushing, which needs to be removed by a scale and polish. My MIL had to have one lower front tooth extracted (she has a little single tooth denture which no-one would ever spot) but at almost 70 has all her other teeth.