Gum disease - desperate and confused

[Notsherlocklove]

Okay, this is a but of a moan. I have been battling with gum disease for years (gingivits). I had managed to keep it under control though periodic cleaning with the hygienist and home care. She told we were making progresses.

Until I had my second child last year. That's when things plummeted. I have black triangles around 4 teeth (all on one side of my mouth), in the back, and feel a front one a bit wobbly, after my last clean.

I saw my dentist, NHS, who just said I will lose my teeth eventually, and sent me on my way. No x rays, no probing (he has never done it), just that. I keep reading about numbers and pockets people are given at their dental visits, I have never had one.

I'm so upset and depressed and cannot think of getting false teeth at 28 years old. I don't know what to do.

Has your dentist given you any kind of treatment to do at home like brushing with 1% corsodyl gel.
One of my known had an advanced gum disease (swelling and bleeding). The dentist said she couldn't do a lot but referred him to Guy Dental hospital in London. He had a surgery there where the doctor cut the gum and cleaned it completely. He initially did a root canal in one of the teeth which had lost half of its root.the surgery was the 2 Nd part.
Everything was ok after that with no further treatment as the gum disease was completely treated.
So may be ask your dentist for a referral for specialist hospital. The treatment was free btw as it is done by dental students under supervision. If you are living around London then it is a good choice.

You need to see a specialist periodontist. There are a range of treatments from deep cleaning to surgical procedures that can save teeth.

you need to buy the following

• www.dentaldirect.co.uk/oral-b-interspace-interdental-tapered.html

use this along the gumline inside and out after brushing. It is amazing for keeping the gum edges clean and free of bacteria. Gums may bleed a little first or second time but will stop soon after using for a couple of days.

Buy a sonic toothbrush, I use the lidl one (much cheaper), use twice a day and change the brushhead often. Use the brush to clean teeth but also to gently massage the gums to get the circulation going. This allows oxygen to be delivered to the gums which will help them to be healthier.

Use interdental brushes (different to the interspace) daily. Then floss.

Use a tongue scraper.

Oil pull with coconut oil a couple of times a week (more if you can be bothered).

Take vitamin C tablets and vitamin B tablets

Use an oral irrigator (cordless) in the shower e.g. waterpik - along the gumline.

The whole routine in the shower is much easier than taking special time out of your day to do it. It only takes a few minutes to do, although it sounds a faff it will definitely be worth it.

Even if you just do the interspace along the gumline and the sonic brushing daily and everything else every other day or a few times a week it makes a real difference.

Go to your hygenist before starting all the routine, to ensure the teeth are clean to start with.

Best of luck!

Oh and I forgot - gum disease is an indicator of a bacterial infection - often deep rooted. Water fasting for a few days (done correctly and safely with electrolyte supplementation) can help your body to reset and kick out bad cells (autophagy). It may well help your gums become healthier again and get rid of any latent infections, if you can bear it.

There are some good reddit threads about periodontal disease and how people overcame it, have a google for them!

Thanks for the advice. I went to see a different dentist and she was lovely. She examined the pockets in my gums and took X Rays, and she said I have mild periodontitis. I have some mild bone loss around two teeth, which is not good due to my age, but can be stopped and she will do 2 deep cleans, starting next week. A bit nervous but feel more hopeful.

I got referred to the Dental hospital in Birmingham and had several deep cleans under local anaesthetic So far so good. I had 1 more visit to go aaaaaaand lockdown! I'm using the teepee sticks and interdental brush but they're still not perfect.

Just waiting for a new appt now.

If you have a checkup I think the dentist has to do the BPE (gum probing) exam? Mine always reads out the numbers to the nurse - eg, 0, 1, 0 - and she logs them on the computer.

I was in yesterday because I need a new night guard and my dentist did a quick once over because I missed my checkup in lockdown, and she did the probing even then.