I was told by my new dentist about a year ago that I have gum disease & some bone loss. Never been raised before. I felt really down about it and a bit of a minger (felt told off!). I do know I have the type of teeth that make a lot of plaque (genetics) although I clean my teeth well & see the hygienist six monthly which I was told wasn't enough. She scared me saying I needed special treatment to clean below the gum & surgery if that doesn't work. She said she would be keeping a close eye on me. I had some suspicion tbh that she was being a bit over dramatic and possibly even suggesting unnecessary work.
Since then, I've done everything recommended by the hygienist including using a different size tepee brush which does seem to have made a difference. Hygienist has seemed pleased with me, although dentist still seemed concerned when I last visited her 8 months ago, said she was keeping me under review.
I had a routine appointment the other day. To my surprise & relief, gum disease wasn't even mentioned! She seemed happy with my teeth, and told me to keep up the good work. She didn't take xrays apart from one of a long-standing root canal which said looked OK, but just need to keep an eye (she talked me through the image on the screen). I went home happy.
Just had a call from the surgery saying dentist needs me to come back "to double check something". Receptionist couldn't tell me what or why but said she didn't think it was anything to worry about.No appointments for 6 weeks so receptionist said she'd check with dentist & call back if I need to be seen earlier.
So of course now I'm worried, maybe she saw something bad on xray she missed initially? Or did she simply forget to monitor my gum disease? Anyone know how often they're meant to xray/monitor gum disease & bone loss? As I said, she didn't even mention it!
Really hope the latter but a bit of health anxiety is causing me to catatrophise!
Thanks.