Hi, I'm nearly 20 years old and must admit I've neglected having good dental hygiene for most of my life, and now it seems to be catching up to me. I think it all started a few years ago when I was scanning my teeth with my tongue one day and felt a tiny gap between one of my top teeth. I could stick my fingernail in it and if I moved it around into the right area I would get a sharp "shock" as if I hit a nerve or something. It worried me but unfortunately this was not enough to push me to brush everyday.

Now it is years later and just a few months ago its like my mouth exploded with these little gaps, but their slightly larger now. Forgive me I don't know the names for each individual tooth off hand but the majority of the problem is on top and bottom rows, from one canine across to the other. Most have tiny to a bit larger caps at the gumline. My gums have noticeably receded, and I can feel that some are beginning to become slightly loose. Slightly below the gum line a short ways under the gap in the tooth there is a somewhat of a red stain on a few of the teeth as well.

I'm guessing I have some form of gingivitis or possibly worse. I was wondering if anyone recognized this, and told me how serious it could be and if I have any chance of saving my teeth. This week I've started brushing daily out of fear of losing them and sometimes my gums do bleed during brushing as well. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I think that you have gone well beyond gingivitis. I would say it's more like periodontal disease. Weather or not your teeth can be saved depends on how much bone you have lost and, unfortunately, how much you can afford for repairs. Most dentist have payment plans of some sort.

Speaking of dentists, get one. But, be cautious. There are dentists who make a good effort to save your teeth but the also economy dentist who will want to pull them just out of convenience. Be sure to ask questions before making an appointment. Word of mouth is a good way to find a good dentist. If the person your talking with has no teeth, stay away from their dentist.

It's very important not to put this off. The longer you delay, the more bone you will lose.

ok, I was afraid of that. Will continual brushing help at all? Should it help stop it from getting worse? What should I look for in a dentist that can treat this and what type of treatments are there for it?