Gum disease help

[Crumpets12]

Does anyone have any tips on how they improved gum health? Any small or big changes they did or products they brought? I’m happy to hear anything!

My gums and teeth have been suffering since having children and my current dentist seems abit rubbish with it all! Long waitlists to change Dentists too.

Thanks x

[ThirdStorm]

The hygienist made a real difference quickly - 2 sessions to get on top of things and now I go once every 6 months. They gave me some tips of better brushing and use of tape and tepe brushes. Since then I have been much more rigorous in my brushing regime, I'd sometimes forget to brush, now I never forget. I tepe every day too. I am using sensodyne at the moment. I've started to reverse some of the issue which my dentist has commented on.

[genie10]

I'd second hygienist. They give loads of helpful advice. I also changed to an electric toothbrush and a water flosser.

[ShrubRose]

Yes, by all means go to the hygienist. But there's no magic bullet - you really do have to brush am and pm and floss every night after dinner. It's a nuisance, but it will make a huge difference. Also, it's a good idea to watch the sugar, if you don't already.
I use this floss, but any will do.
https://www.boots.com/oral-b-satin-tape-mint-10038088

[Bumblebeeinatree]

Make sure you brush at night, use the little brushes between teeth, and yes hygienist.

[Blackcats7]

Get a water flosser. I have a waterpik and it has really helped me.

[Bumblebeeinatree]

My hygienist was very judgemental and I avoided her for a while, she just had a baby and seems much nicer. No idea if there is a connection, but interesting.

[Sweetladyjane]

I had two very intense sessions with the hygienist where she cleaned under the gum (I was numbed for this) and now go every 6 months to keep on top of it. I use teepee brushes every night and the dentist and hygienist have commented on how my gums have improved.

[orangeN]

Hi I also have gum disease. Things helped me are see a hygienist every six months to get teeth cleaned. Interdental brushes and floss. Mouthwash especially the one treat gum disease. And an electric toothbrush helped me as well. But still I can't have too much chocolates or my gum will hurt sometimes.

[Tcateh]

Hi

Can you actually request numbing.

I'm terrified but need to try hygienist. Would this be like when they numb you up before fillings or extraction?

I'm with a private dentist
Obviously. No NHS practices left in Devon.
😡

[misssunshine4040]

Same I'm so sensitive that everything hurts.
I really need the hygienist but scared of the pain.

Do you get numbing injections ?

[orangeN]

@misssunshine4040

Same I'm so sensitive that everything hurts.
I really need the hygienist but scared of the pain.

Do you get numbing injections ?

When I saw my hygienists ( I had two) I have never been offered numb injection, but when I cleaned my teeth abroad they gave me an injection without asking, I have to say it helped.... but really it depends on how sensitive your gum is, it's not pleasant for me but it's bearable ( still I hold onto corner of my shirt when I clean my teeth)

[OnHerSolidFoundations]

Corsodyl toothpaste really helps me.
Dip the tipi brushes in it before you use them.
Hygienist.

[OnHerSolidFoundations]

A good hygienist doesn't hurt.
I love going to mine!

[BandwagonsFull]

Hygienist here 👋🏼 I would definitely recommend some initial sessions with a hygienist to remove any hard scale build up on your teeth/deep cleaning where required (local anaesthetic can definitely be requested, it's just like being numbed for a filling).
But most importantly is your cleaning at home, ideally an electric toothbrush twice a day for 2 mins each time, angle this towards your gum line and slowly move along tooth by tooth. And cleaning in between your teeth twice a day using floss or tepe brushes (your hygienist can advise you of the correct size for your teeth). Don't be put off by any initial bleeding, the inflammation needs to resolve which will only happen if the plaque is being regularly removed.
Mouthwashes etc can help but it is the physical removal of plaque from the teeth through brushing and flossing/tepe's which is important.
And then regular hygienist appointment can help to maintain everything 😊

[Leopardsocks]

I had awful gum disease but turned it around. Brush (electric) with Corsodyl daily toothpaste am and pm. Tepe brushes after brushing at night, every night.

[ByWildGoldWriter]

How long does it take to turn around?? I was diognosed last august and sincw then had a deep clean and oral hygiene i do very strictly. However on my last hygienst check up one gum pocket was still measuring at 10!!! All the others came wayy down, I even got a few zero!! So she deep cleaned 4 teeth again as one was bleeding and i was very disheartened because now i feel all the hard work didnt pay off.

[HPFA]

I use Oral B Gun and Enamel Repair toothpaste, electric toothbrush and interdental brushes. Both dentist and hygienist said how much things had improved.

It's tedious but the only thing with any chance of working is to make sure your night brushing and flossing/teepeeeing is meticulous and experiment to find the best toothpaste. I try and think with every bit I remove from between the teeth - "that's not going to damage my teeth now".