Advanced gum disease- stressing out

[Digestive29]

I used to see an nhs dentist every 6 months, at no point did he ever tell me my gums were awful.
Fast forward to seeing a private dentist during lock down who told me my gums are shocking, 60% bone loss and one mobile tooth. This was in 2019. Since then I’ve had a deep clean and 3 monthly hygienist cleanings. My teeth are apparently immaculate with no plaque. But despite this the gums haven’t improved at all.
I’ve now been referred to a private periodontist who’s suggested deep cleaning (bone loss now 80% and measures of 7-9mm) and antibiotics but at a cost of £1k. I’m wondering is this going to be any better than the deep clean I’ve already had at the hygienist?
I feel physically sick at the thought that I might lose my teeth.

My DH had this. Was great with oral hygiene but crap teeth and gums. Went to dentist every 6 months without fail for cleaning, looked after teeth at home. Was sent to periodontist periodically for deep cleaning, very different to general cleaning at the dentist. Involves injections to numb while they deep clean, and soft food for several days after. Hate to say, come 50yo he started to lose his teeth, they would just literally fall out. He had a plate made and as another one would go, he would take the plate in to a special service and they would insert a new ‘tooth’ onto the plate. Then when the backs went he moved to dentures. Implants were not possible in his case with the bone loss. You would never know to look at him.

What a nightmare for you both! I take it you don’t smoke and you eat a healthy low sugar diet etc? Could it be menopause related? Weird that despite a really good cleaning regime the situation has continued to deteriorate.

If you can afford it I would have treatment recommended by the perio.
I had always had 6 monthly hygienist appointments and my regular dentist didn't pick up gum disease but after an x ray for another issue spotted bone loss and I was referred to a perio. He did a full cleaning and it made a huge difference, I was discharged after 6 months. There are a lot of treatments, sadly expensive but worth it.

Pay the £1k as it will be money well spent. I sympathise as I am going through the same thing and I'm worried about ending up a toothless hag

Thanks all. I guess I’m party annoyed at my dentist for not picking it up earlier where it may have been prevented in the early stages and annoyed at myself that no amount of cleaning/hygienist visits have made it any better.
The thought of not having any teeth is just horrible. Hopefully the money being spent on the deep clean will be worth it. Dh says I’m just delaying the inevitable and better saving the money.
I’m really sorry to anyone else that’s dealing with this too.

Opposite here. Great gums apparently but terrible teeth.

Have lost 5 already and have a plate.

Bane of my life.

Hope you get it sorted

Hi, hope you are ok - just wanted to send a virtual hug and say that I too am going through the exact same thing. In 2019 just before covid I went for my usual six monthly dental check and had x-rays, it wasn’t until I was asked to sign my x-ray forms that I noticed the words ‘chronic perio’ - the dentist had never told me I had chronic perio - it was such a shock, I had noticed receding gums on a few teeth but I didn’t know it was because of advanced gum disease, he then went on to tell me that I would eventually lose my teeth. I have been too terrified to go back to the dentist since and I have become severely dental phobic and my gums have become awful over the last two years - I really feel your pain, this is such a horrible thing to have, I literally think and worry about my teeth and gums every minute of every day and even when asleep I have nightmares about my teeth or wake up in a huge panic. 1k is an awful lot of money but I think in my opinion it might be worth giving it a go

I would take the dentist advice and additionally have you tried daily coconut oil pulling ?

Could you ask for referral to one of the dental hospitals. They maybe able to help but without the huge cost. I have great gums but terrible teeth - shit enamel and already lost 3 plus 3 wisdom teeth and in my mid 40s. Also have 3 crowns. I'm actually already factoring in cost of implants - which incidentally I was reading about a new procedure for people who have too much bone loss for implants where they can avoid the need for bone grafting.

At the age of 33 I was told I have this, even though I'd been to the dentist regularly since I was a child. It was a shock!
My teeth are fine, never even had a filling but the gums are bad - it's genetic apparently.
I'm having deep cleans (under injection) every 6 months and there is talk of surgery to rebuild the bone loss on one site where it is bad.
I'm guessing my teeth will eventually all fall out and I'll need dentures‽
My regular dentist doesn't seem too bothered as the teeth are fine and that's what they seem to focus on.

I had a bad experience at a dentist which put me off and I didn't go to a dentist for years. Good dental hygiene, healthy teeth but terrible gums.

I lost healthy teeth because the gums were so bad. The worse it got, the more embarrassed and ashamed I became, the more I hid what was happening and then the worse it got.

I eventually confessed to my partner who knew something was wrong. He looked online and found a dental clinic specialising in implants and came to the appointments with me.

Best decision I ever made. The x rays showed severe bone loss and the treatment has been expensive and drastic. But the dentist and dental nurses were lovely - reassuring and non-judgemental. I love the way the implants look. It's given me back my confidence.

My gums also seem healthier since the treatment. They used to bleed every time I brush my teeth but they never bleed now.

I feel for you. I have pretty healthy teeth, rubbish gums. Have always taken care. of my teeth too. I didn’t find out my gums were crap until I was considering having orthodontics. The dentist said something about my X-rays showing bone loss, and it went on from there. I decided, after research, not to bother with orthodontics, as the moving around of teeth involved could well mean they all drop out earlier. I still have regular perio/cleans, and dental visits, but have saved the money I would have spent on braces for a set of really wonderful dentures when the time comes! I have also decided that surgery,etc., it not for me, and probably will involve a lot of time, money, and pain, for very little improvement.
I’d love beautiful teeth, but for me, it won’t be possible going forward. I try to concentrate on the things I do have that are lovely, and be happy about those.

I had gum problems and recommend the deep cleaning, despite it being very expensive and not especially pleasant, but it stabilised my gums to the point where my hygienist recommended I only see her every 6 months instead of 3. Over time my gums have settled down , pockets are minimal and I’m not worried any more. If you can afford it, go for it.

The other thing to do is try and find a hygienist who is interested in gum problems and will be the right mix of supportive and dragon. I’ve tried a few and my current one inspires me to do the right thing.

The other thing to remember is that you might just be predisposed to gum problems - don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s all your fault.