toothache because of receding gum

[sphil]

Have had toothache all weekend but it seems to have died down a bit now, though I'm still getting the odd twinge. I think it's because my gum has receded - I can see some exposed tooth below the gum line, in a sort of 'pocket'.

Will the dentist treat this - and if so, how? I've got an appt tomorrow morning and am scared - it's ages since I had to have any dental work done.

Hi I had terrible pain in my tooth when breathing in cold air or drinking/eating something hot or cold.

I finally plucked up the courage to go to the dentist thinking I would need all sorts doing to it and he said that I had simply been brushing too hard and had made the gum recede slightly, causing some of the root to be exposed.

Since using a soft brush and being a little less vigorous it is fine again now! I didn't have a pocket though. Hope everything is ok.

I have a problem with periodontitus (severe gum disease basically) caused by sloppy brushing when I was pregnant.

That can cause pockets and the receding gums causes a lot of sensitity, but I never have other pain. It can be quite severe if you don't keep on top of it.

Treatment for me was a short course of anti-biotics followed by 3 monthly dentist cleans and a strict brushing routine at home.

Well it was fine - he Xrayed it and said there was no sign of decay, so just put a little white filling in to cover up the exposed bit of tooth. Also gave me some Sensodyne to smear on the gum twice a day. No drilling, no injections - whoopee!
It still hurts a bit though.

notquitenormal, was this done on the NHS ? my DH has to have some treatment but his NHS dentist sent him to a private gum specialist and for 3 hours of appointments its going to cost £600

I would have thought the nhs would help with gum disease ?

(sorry to hijack thread)

It was yes, the initial treament was £45 for 3 appointments plus the cost of the prescription for the anti-biotics. Now I have ongoing 3 monthly private cleaning appointments at £20 each.

I think, when it gets more severe, you can end up needing gum surgery (how horrible does that sound...urrgh!) but there has never been any mention of needing to go private for it.

It might depend on where you live? Or how specialist the treatment needs to be?