If anyone read my post from early this morning, you will know, i have been having problems with my teeth for a long time. I realize and take full responsibilty that my teeth are in horrible shape because I did not take care of them. I have never flossed and I've only recently been brushing them daily. I used to brush only when i was going on a date or something, which was something i learned from my parents who both had bad teeth and my dad actually lost all his. my mom died before this could happen to her though.

anyways, my front teeth are breaking off, at the gum line, but are broken off in pieces from the back. so in other words, my tongue feels the open tooth, but if i was to smile and show you my bottom teeth, you would see nothing was wrong, other than major build up and some small gaps between a couple of my teeth.

ok...someone suggested i probably have advanced gum disease, which, i probably do have. so i did make an appointment with a highly recommended dentist, so i will be going in 10 days.

first....i remember my dad, before he died, went to get dentures at a place and they said they couldn't do that, because he had too much bone and gum loss. this is an absolute huge, huge, huge fear of mine that the dentist will tell me, sorry, but other than pulling your teeth, there is nothing we can do to replace your teeth. if i have major bone loss and gum loss or disease is it really a possiblity that i could forever go without teeth? that i could really no longer have front teeth? or any teeth for this matter. this is what scares me the most is just...having a whole on the bottom of my teeth where 3 or 4 teeth used to be.

also, someone suggested getting my gums cleaned. what exactly is that? does it hurt? how long does that take? what exactly do they do to clean the gums? if i've got advanced gum disease, will getting them clean help at all or will it be not help?

also, with advanced gum disease, can the gums suddenly get healthier again? or again, is that just a lost cause as well? i guess i'm just wondering, is there any way that once they get to the advanced point, is there a way for the gums and bones to be repaired?

i've also been newly using a new Arm and Hammer tooth paste that is supposed to replace enamel. what is tooth enamel and at this point in the game, will that even help me?

i'm 30 and female and i already have major self esteem issues with both my appearance...i know i'm not attractive and i told my best friend yesterday, once i do lose my front teeth, i know for a fact, i'll never get married, which i've already accepted.

but also, after losing both my parents before i turned 28, any doctors scare me to death. i guess i just want to know, if i'm already in the advanced stage and i would assume, i've been there for a few years now, then would there really be anything that could help me now? saving my bottom front teeth won't happen, since i think 3 of them are broken in the back by the gum line anyways.

thanks for helping me. i do appreciate any advice, answers, suggestions, anyone has.

Charlene

Don't stress yourself until you know. Congradulations on the first step and making that appointment. I can not give you an answer on if you have gum disease or not. That is something that your dentist or hygenist will have to tell you. I will say with your homecare you described and not having regular visits for so long there is a good possiblilty you do. If you happen to be a smoker that would increase your changes. What to except for your first visit you should get a full exam and xrays.Some either the assistant or hygenist will take xrays to start with. Your exam will include of doctor noting all decay on teeth. Teeth are numbered usually 1-16 on uppers last two on each side beining the wisdom teeth and then 1-32 on the bottom. So for example you may hear him say 12mo that is the tooth number with the surfaces that have decay on them.Sometimes dr. will number by the quad 1-8 and these are divided into for quads. So that is something the dr. will do. Now this varies from office to office, but either the hygenist or dentist will come in and do perio charting(now i hate to say this, but about 50% of offices don't do this which is really upsetting). What that is is they will be using a insturment to measure around the gums of the teeth. You may feel this a little like pressure. It usually isn't uncomfortable unless there is alot of build up or something. He or she will be calling out numbers to someone when they use that instrument. 1,2,3, are healthy you can still reach these areas with flossing and brushing. Numbers like 4, 5, 6 or higher are areas of concern. You can no longer clean these areas with flossing or brushing. These areas are a sign of infections in the gums and bone. Which indiactes bone loss. Now depending on how serve the case and the office procdure some office will refer out and some will do the cleaning. This involves what is called a deep cleaning. Which is where they clean under the gums. Cleaning the roots of the teeth. They will get you numb to do this. If you have gum disease you will always have gum disease. You can not get the bone back that you have already lost. You can maintain what you have, by reg dental visit which with gum disease you will go to the dentist every 3 months instead of six months and good homecare. Sometimes if there is to much bone loss they may suggest having teeth out. It is possible i guess not to have enough bone to get dentures. See if you are not maintaining the bone you have left they if will keep going away. To be able to wear denture you have to have some bone. That is what holds the denture in your mouth. Denture wears over time have to get new ones made. When teeth are taken out you loss that bone in that area. So denture wears may have 2 or 3 sets before the end. Depending how soon in their life they get them. I will let you know that i am very glad you are taking this step. Gum(perio)disease has know been linked to heart disease, storkes, and even diatbetes. So this can if can other major health concern. so even if you don't do it to save the teeth then do if for your body and heart. This is now becoming a big concern.Goodluck with this. Also if i haven't answered your questions or i was confusing then let me know and i will rexplain.

Don't stress yourself until you know. Congradulations on the first step and making that appointment. I can not give you an answer on if you have gum disease or not. That is something that your dentist or hygenist will have to tell you. I will say with your homecare you described and not having regular visits for so long there is a good possiblilty you do. If you happen to be a smoker that would increase your changes. What to except for your first visit you should get a full exam and xrays.Some either the assistant or hygenist will take xrays to start with. Your exam will include of doctor noting all decay on teeth. Teeth are numbered usually 1-16 on uppers last two on each side beining the wisdom teeth and then 1-32 on the bottom. So for example you may hear him say 12mo that is the tooth number with the surfaces that have decay on them.Sometimes dr. will number by the quad 1-8 and these are divided into for quads. So that is something the dr. will do. Now this varies from office to office, but either the hygenist or dentist will come in and do perio charting(now i hate to say this, but about 50% of offices don't do this which is really upsetting). What that is is they will be using a insturment to measure around the gums of the teeth. You may feel this a little like pressure. It usually isn't uncomfortable unless there is alot of build up or something. He or she will be calling out numbers to someone when they use that instrument. 1,2,3, are healthy you can still reach these areas with flossing and brushing. Numbers like 4, 5, 6 or higher are areas of concern. You can no longer clean these areas with flossing or brushing. These areas are a sign of infections in the gums and bone. Which indiactes bone loss. Now depending on how serve the case and the office procdure some office will refer out and some will do the cleaning. This involves what is called a deep cleaning. Which is where they clean under the gums. Cleaning the roots of the teeth. They will get you numb to do this. If you have gum disease you will always have gum disease. You can not get the bone back that you have already lost. You can maintain what you have, by reg dental visit which with gum disease you will go to the dentist every 3 months instead of six months and good homecare. Sometimes if there is to much bone loss they may suggest having teeth out. It is possible i guess not to have enough bone to get dentures. See if you are not maintaining the bone you have left they if will keep going away. To be able to wear denture you have to have some bone. That is what holds the denture in your mouth. Denture wears over time have to get new ones made. When teeth are taken out you loss that bone in that area. So denture wears may have 2 or 3 sets before the end. Depending how soon in their life they get them. I will let you know that i am very glad you are taking this step. Gum(perio)disease has know been linked to heart disease, storkes, and even diatbetes. So this can if can other major health concern. so even if you don't do it to save the teeth then do if for your body and heart. This is now becoming a big concern.Goodluck with this. Also if i haven't answered your questions or i was confusing then let me know and i will rexplain.

It is commendable that you have scheduled an appointment with the dentist. The fear of the unknown is worse than knowing what the doctor will say about your teeth. I have never seen anyone that could not have teeth in their mouth. Dentures are a last result to recommend but they are a life saver to some especially if you have no insurance or are financially unable to pay for dental care.
Some things you can do is to brush no less than twice a day... in the morning and at night and maybe after you eat would be a good idea too. Floss once a day. There are products that can help heal your gums. You may want to check with the dental office. The one that we recommend is peridex. It is a prescription mouth rinse so you will not find it at the grocery store.
Rest assured you can definitely be helped by going to the dentist. Just make sure that he has a good reputation and is qualified to do the work.
Good Luck!
Jackie

[Please do not reference your professional title. Please re-read the board guidelines. This is a peer support forum. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]

I know this is a stressful time for you. Really you have taken the first intial step and making that phone call. Congradulations. I would hope that this dentist you are going to is not someone who is going to make fun of you. I would hope that he is going to be caring and will address your concerns and will be able to build a trust with you. It's sad that you have to worry about that. Sometimes there are dentist out there that make it hard for the ones who truly care. This is what makes dentist have a bad name, noone wants to come back. I agree with Jackie. I would definitely find out about this dentist. If a friend or family member recomemned him i would say your good. Your friends and family are not going to suggest someone that they don't like. If they didn't i would just ask around about him or get a suggestion from someone you really care about and trust. Remember this is not only important for the health of your teeth, but for the health of your boby. If you are concerned with the possibliliy of gum disease(perio disease) that is an infection.It is not healthy to have a content infection in your boby. Remember there is new research out there with gum disease that now it's associcated with heart disease and strokes. You need to do this for yourself and your body. I have faith in you and you will get through this appointment no problem. I wish you the best and keep in touch.

Dear wideawakeinaz:

The others have answered some of your questions beautifully, but I am really concerned for you on the other issues you bring up. First of all, it seems you have lost hope for your future.

Your First concern: When your dad tried to get dentures, had he been without teeth for a long time (had them pulled, but didn't get dentures right away?) I have read that if you let an extended time (and I take this as years) without getting dentures, then there is a possibility you will be unable to get them to FIT later. Also remember, he may have had one of those dentists that didn't care enough to help him. And also, how old was your father when he went in for help? At 30, your problems could be less severe than when your father sought help. While you may have gum disease, there are stages of severity. The sooner you get the condition under control, the sooner your body can heal.

2nd, Your comment: i'm 30 and female and i already have major self esteem issues with both my appearance...i know i'm not attractive and i told my best friend yesterday, once i do lose my front teeth, i know for a fact, i'll never get married, which i've already accepted........................ I don't want to make a light issue of getting dentures. It is a big step. However, if you read other's posts you will find there are many of us that are extremely happy with the change they have made in our lifes. Perhaps you won't need them, but there is definitely life after dentures. There are people in their early 20's that have gotten them, it's not only for people who are in retirement. They date, and live, and love, and lifes goes on. If your teeth are giving you pain, or the appearance has declined -- then you might find you have higher self esteem, much like many the rest of us did. It is very nice to smile now with straight white teeth.

Don't give up - you are taking the steps to get things in order. Many of us were in the very same boat you are in right now. So, please do not lose hope. There are many here that can answer your questions, so keep in touch. I wish you the best of Luck!

Debbi