severe gum disease

[skymonkey]

hi all, i've lurked but not posted before, but i'd really like to know if there is anyone in a similar situation to me?
i've got severe gum disease which has got rapidly worse over the past few years while i've been pregnant and breastfeeding and generally neglecting myself.
i'm now being treated at a dental hospital and am sure i'll get good professional care and advice there but would really love to chat with fellow sufferers as i don't know anyone else with this condition and i suspect there aren't many since the consultant did say i was a very severe case especially for my age.
so anyone else desperately clinging on to their lovely teeth set in dreadful gums?

just updating. had my first root scraping session yesterday. hard to tell if it has improved the gum yet. i feel like they've all flared up a bit to be honest. and have a weird little lump in my cheek which from googling i think may be a lymph node or something indicating infection, yikes! off to dr to get it checked on friday, no dentist appointments available til next week. aargh, just want it all to be sorted out now but i know it's going to be a long journey......
x

Hello - I didn't see this thread the first time around.

About 5 years ago my dentist referred me to the dental hospital as my gums bled an awful lot and I also have a lot of "pockets". He could not do the indepth cleaning that was required.

After a lot of prodding, poking, x-rays etc, I had one side of my mouth done one week, whereby I had 9 injections on that side. The periodontist then proceeded to lift the gums up and actually jet washed underneath them. I had a huge course of antibiotics, then the following week the other side was done and another course of antibiotics.

They recommended one of the braun electric toothbrushes, interdental brushes and floss. (I used floss anyway)

Over the years, I have spent a lot of money on my teeth and always visit the dentist, so it is not lack of personal hygiene with me I just happened to be unlucky.

I use the interdental brushes and floss every day and haven't looked back, my gums don't bleed anymore.

Glad Skymonkey that you have started your treatment.....the gum will not show real signs of improvement yet but with using an electric toothbrush after the treatment ...then the improvements will show as the treatment alongside the electric toothbrush will help strengthen the gum so it tightens up around the tooth. LEt us know what the doc says. Good luck.

Hi Bellavita glad all your teeth problems are in the past...believe (fingers crossed) mine are too.

bellavita- glad your treatment worked, thanks for sharing your story. it does give me hope. i'm also suffering despite looking after my teeth pretty well, i've just been slack in visiting the dentist (big mistake!), genetics has a massive role to play i think. the consultant seemed to think so anyway.
out of interest what antibiotics were you given, do you know? i've not been given any, ever, and am wondering if i need some as my body's obviously struggling with infection here.

cositjustisok- thanks again for your support, it's very much appreciated. will keep you updated on progress.

skymonkey - the antibiotics were metronidozol (sp).

Thanks cositjustisok

found your thread skymonkey!

I think I'm going to take q10 and buy a pro-enamel toothpaste.

back from docs, lovely bloke. he thinks it is a lymph node and only to worry if it's still there in 3 weeks. also gave me a prescription for antibiotics for if anything flares up again. phew. right, off to enjoy the weekend now....

Yes, relax now..

Hi, just to let you know you are really not alone. I have had the same problem with boneloss and pockets which I had been totally unaware of. To make matters worse my dentist was my step father and when I had approached him with concerns about some gum recession he said all was fine - not till he retired did I get a diagnosis so I was, and still am pretty mad. I have seen a periodontist privately and all is stable now but I need to visit the hygenist every 3 months for a cleaning. I have some black triangles between some of my teeth where the gum has shrunk back as part of the healing process, and my bottom teeth feel slightly mobile. Although am pleased it is under control, I still feel very depressed about the whole thing and it has really shaken my world. I know I should get on with it which I do for the main but I do not feel able to smile like I used to and am always looking at people's teeth.

I have been to the dentist today and told I have really bad gum disease too. I had a baby in 2007 and am still breastfeeding and I just didn't take care of my teeth. I also need my wisdom teeth removing (which I am reall scared off) the dentist said that I would lose teeth, if I didn't get it under control. I am 30... he cleaned my teeth and gums today, as I have a very overcrowded mouth and some of my teeth are hard to get to with a brush as a result

What else can I do to get this under control, I don't want to lose teeth

Hi all, just noticed some new posts so updating.

I had the full deep clean so am just waiting til mid July for my next appointment to see if it has worked and what needs to be done next. My gums have receded loads and some teeth are now a bit mobile, it's freaking me out a bit but not much I can do but keep up the good oral hygiene and wait.....

Shivs72- I can totally relate to your feelings, I'm in shock about the whole thing too, I've gone from not really thinking about teeth to being obsessed, it really has taken over my life and I just want to be able to relax and get back to my normal cheerful and unself-concious self. It's reassuring that you are stable now despite gum recession and some mobility as that's what my teeth are like now too. I hope we can both come to terms with our situation and move past it. I certainly never noticed other people's teeth and gums until this happened to me so I doubt other people are judging my teeth and gums too much (unless they themselves have bad teeth/gums).

SparklyGothKat- sorry you're in the same boat. I think pregancy and breastfeeding can really take their toll on susceptible people like us. As well as the periodontal treatment, there are a few things I'm doing to try and get my disease under control:

1. thoroughly flossing and cleaning my teeth and gums in the morning and before bed and using corsodyl mouthwash. i use interdental brushes to clean between the teeth as well as an electric toothbrush with soft bristled head, making sure I brush gently beneath the gum line

2. cutting out sugary food and drink, and trying to eat healthy wholesome food

3. eating big meals and no snacks

4. gently flossing out food debris after meals and rinsing with lots of water

5. taking vitamin supplements, a general one with iron as I have been prone to iron deficiency, plus extra vitamin c and co-enzyme q10 as these help with gum disease in some people

No idea if these measures are helping but they make me feel like I have a little control over my situation.

Good luck fellow sufferers, and thank you for sharing your stories, it's reassuring to know I am not alone and that there is hope.
x

Hi. Reading this with interest as I have similar problems. My lower front teeth in particular are where I have a bit of bone loss, as they are crowded and overlap and are therefore really difficult to clean. I had a deep clean by the periodontist a couple of years ago which made a big difference, and my numbers (measuring the depth of the pockets of recession) were all improved. I use an oral b electric toothbrush (the one that goes in circles), floss lots, use interdental brushes and dentyl mouthwash (the one you shake to mix). My dentist was emphatic that this was the best one and to avoid corsodyl because it contains alcohol. Now contemplating a brace to straighten those lower teeth where it's really hard to clean. Oh, also visit hygienist every 3 months. Interestingly, I had a very premature baby which may be linked to gum disease. How guilty did I feel?!

I'm a fellow sufferer - rare for my age and for the fact that I've always taken really good care of my stupid teeth! Talk to me!

If you're still following this thread, what a relief it has been to find people similarly in their thirties experiencing the same problems as me, following pregnancy etc. I've also been diagnosed with aggressive periodontitus, had the deep-cleaning treatment and antibiotics and now spend a ludicrous amount of time cleaning my teeth. I'm also obssessed with teeth and gums and I'm always caught staring at people's mouths! Must go, need to get on with my teeth-cleaning after succombed to Haagan Daas ice cream. Does anyone else now suffer from hideously sensitive teeth?

My mum suffers from horrifically sensitive teeth and the dentist prescribed her some toothpaste that you can only get on prescription, she raves about this and its really helped her

Hello Prisma (and 3littlebears, sorry I missed you), it's comforting to know there are others out there going through the same thing, although sorry that you're suffering too with this stupid condition!!!

I'm still here, plodding along with trying to look after my gums and teeth. More chilled out now, it's not always at the forefront of my mind but I get a momentary panic every now and then. Still being seen at the dental hospital, had another thorough clean and a course of antibiotics which has hopefully sorted out some of the big pockets, next step surgery :-(, will find out later in the month...

I haven't had sensitive teeth but do use the boots sensitive pro-enamel toothpaste, I try and get toothpaste without SLS and abrasives as I don't want to use anything too harsh when I clean so much now. Hope you find something to help with the sensitivity.

Has anyone here had surgery for gum disease? I really have no idea what it entails, not sure I want to know though!

I don't know about surgery - had the deep clean though, with the metronidozole ABs. Gums have been fine since, but teeth are suffering as roots are exposed - my teeth are rubbish too! Is bain of my life as have always looked after my teeth, 6 monthly check ups, hygenist etc. I suppose I'm genetically pre-disposed. Do you know what toothpaste your mother was prescribed 3littlebears?

Meant to add a message of 'Good luck' for later on in the month! I still have the odd panic about losing my teeth as well. Is an embarrassing problem! Keep reminding myself that not so long ago people routinely had their teeth whipped out at the first sign of problems.

Me too! Like Prisma, I am relieved to find I am not the only one - its an embarassing problem and not one you can really talk to people about - or at least I don't feel I can.

Would be interested to hear how you are all getting on with your treatment?

Also, would like to add that I have been suffering with this problem for about 13 years now and it has only just reached a critical point. I don't think I have had such good treatment as some of you are getting either so with luck you may never lose your teeth .

Oh and I have recently been using the new Corsydol (sp?) toothpaste and found it to be excellent in reducing inflammation and general soreness - it tastes grim at first but you do get used to it after a while.

PS: this is my first post - wasn't going to start posting but feel like I could do with talking to people in the same boat....

Hi MummyHuff, sorry to hear you're suffering too. I use that Corsodyl toothpaste, but my dp keeps pinching it cos he likes the taste!

Well the last appointment was so-so, saw the consultant again and I'm going to have to have some surgery in a couple of areas, and some more thorough cleaning. Not sure when, have to wait for an appointment. My gums have receded a lot (don't need a halloween costume, just a wide grin!) but the disease only seems active now in a few spots.

I'm also going to take something called Periostat which is a very low dose antibiotic, to see if that helps. Well I will once I manage to get a prescription as they didn't stock it in the hospital pharmacy and said I couldn't use the prescription anywhere else, hmmm.. Has anyone else used this drug?

Hi All,

I have accidently come across this thread, and am compelled to post. I too am enduring the misery of periodontal disease. Mine started at 13, and pretty much never went away. I have shed many a tear over the thought of losing my teeth.

I should say, Im 32. I see a hygienist every three months for an intensive deep clean, which is agony, and have done for years. My pockets are 6-8mm at the back, 3-4mm at the front and I have some bone loss. My teeth are immaculate, not even a filling, and its so frustrating to have the pain/expense/worry of this condition. Interestingly, as periodontal disease has a genetic componant, my maternal grandmother (no teeth left), my mother (starting to lose teeth) and all my sibs have the same condition.

I have tried Dentamycin and the capsules they stick under your gums. Not sure how much they help, TBH. Of course, I do all the electric toothbrushing/flossing/interdental brushing etc etc. I tried to talk to my dentist about hospital treatment and he said the NHS wont see me as my teeth arent dropping out (great prevention rather than cure, then) and a private initial assessment costs over £200, so God knows how much the treatments are. What I dont understand is if I had another genetic condition that caused bleeding and tissue loss from, say, my ears or eyes, the NHS would treat me, no question.

I am also on the pill, which I know mimics pregnancy to some extent and has been linked to worsening periodontal disease. Does anyone here have any experience of coming off the pill and their gums improving?? I dont want to come off the pill and then get pregnant, though!

Sorry for the rant! Thanks for listening.

I'm procrastinating the big evening clean right now sitting on Mumsnet and grinding my teeth as I read! Is good to keep finding new fellow sufferers though - misery loves company! Thanks for mentioning about the pill, HoneyPetal. I was thinking about going back on it, but if it's likely to affect my gums I think I'll pass.

I too have gum disease, and am waiting til I'm a bit flush to get it treated properly. I'm finding the whole thing depressing and worrying and feel just the same as you Honey, that the NHS would treat any other disease. Especially as it is linked to heart disease and other health problems.
There is a gum disease specialist I could see on the NHS apparently, but it is in London (about 70-80 miles away). So by the time I've taken a shift off work, organised childcare and payed travel (as well as that NHS treatment isn't totally free) - I might as well have a consultation with a local private periodontist.
I would love to have a new set of teeth.

Hi there, just found this thread, are any of you still here? Would be interested in an update on how you are all getting on...

I have bleeding gums and my teeth are feeling wobbly and I am petrified of the dentist. Any happy endings for me?

I am 50 and have good teeth.
But my regular dentist went on maternity leave and I got this knob of a guy who was not long out of dental school, and slated the care I took of my teeth.
Apparantly I had severe gum disease- it scared the shit out of me- I have a fear of losing teeth. He talked to me as if I was 5 years old and had been eating too many sweeties- and suggested lots of treatment.
Bollocks to that- my dentist was back one day a week within 6 months, and she totally disagreed with him.
Needless to say, he has left the practice- many had complained about him- and my teeth are fine.
My sonic toothbrush is my best friend.