Hello again,
I went back to my dentist last tuesday due to swollen top lip & gums. Also pain, maybe TMJ. So my doc said he thinks it's from grinding and I needed a night guard, but not just any night guard but a special $400 night guard. This is not a soft one, but hard and fits to both my uppers & lowers.

Over the past few year my gums have receeded. From what my dentist says it is from brush to hard as a kid. I think my grinding might be making it worse. Anyway, I can notstop looking or thinking about my teeth. I have to go to a mirror every hour and look and play with my mouth. I can not stop thinking about them. I feel like I am an idoit for destroying my own teeth. To me my gum line looks bad and it scares me a lot. I am 30 and I am scared by 40 I will have no teeth.

I also have a problem with anxiety & self-esteem, which is just making it worse. Anyway, I'm not sure getting this $400 night guard is the right thing to do. I think my gums and teeth are a lost cause and i should just give up on them all together. I am tired of worrying all the time!!!!!!

If the dentist thinks a night gaurd will work it can't hurt nothing, also you can get gum grafts for the receding gums, I have been thru that twice for two different areas and it is not bad. My gums were real bad rededed and the roots were showing on some cause I brushed too hard but after the gum grafts they look normal again.....

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Sher

Thanks Sherry,

I have read about grafts and planning on asking my dentist monday about it and if i need to see a gum specialist. I just want to keep my teeth for most of my life.

Hi Mikess,

I to have receeding gums because I use to brush WAY to hard. I thought back then I was doing myself a favor by brushing so hard....not! I had a gum graft about 7 years ago and I know I need another one...it's not a bad procedure at all. I would definitely talk to your dentist and even if he doesn't seem all that concerned I would still go see a specialist. I am also 30 and have many, many dental problems and I look in the mirror 24/7 and worry about my teeth constantly. I at times want to give up as well, but DON'T. My dentist just gave me a special tooth paste called Prevident which helps with the sensitivity of the receeding gums. This tooth paste can't be bought over the counter so ask your dentist. I also just recently got a night guard from my dentist, but unfortunately I can't wear it because it makes my jaw lock and I was in more pain then before I got it.......$400 out the window....ugh. Don't give up!!!