Gums receding at a rapid pace -- Need help please! - Dental Health Message Board

WhyNot · 11-26-2003, 01:27 AM

Wonder if anyone has experienced this dental issue or has any suggestion on what could be causing the problem I am experiencing and any possible solutions...

I am quite conscientious with regard to my dental hygiene. No significant dental problems run in my family. Last year during a routine dental check-up and cleaning the Doc had noticed that I had pocket measurements of 3 - 5 ml mouth wide. At the time I had experienced no gum bleeding, gum redness, or any other problems for that matter so I was surprised at the finding. That said, he recommended a deep cleaning (scaling) which I promptly did in hopes of stopping further gum degradation. Now only about 16 months have passed and despite continual good oral hygiene practices that I've had throughout my 40 years, I've been literally been watching my gums recede (it may sound crazy but yes watching and it’s no exaggeration) at an alarming rate especially the last 6 months or so. I did one of those mail order deals for Periostat (which, if there was some sort of bacterial issue from my research this should help) and I have been taking it twice daily for nearly 4 months but to no avail. My gums are now very sensitive (no bleeding or redness) just sore sort of a buring sensation...almost feels like they’re being pulled down toward the jar bone and have continued to recede another 3 or 4 ml easily. Anyways you may have wondered why I just haven't gone back to the dentist yet...it's a long story but to keep it short I had very bad experiences with the dentist during my young youth and it freaked me so bad...even to this day some 33/34 years later, I am most untrusting/uncomfortable with dentists. I feel like a dear in headlights so to speak right now. Just a bit scared I think. No dental insurance either--so I'm sure I'm looking at thousands for help not just hundreds. Go easy on me here but I would like to hear your thoughts if you're in the know. I do value my teeth, very much in fact, and I think I may just need to get the courage up and get some help soon but wish I had some idea of what is going on before I walked in. By the way, I have no other health issues that I am aware of. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing some of your thoughts on this matter.

Peace.

MyOMy · 11-26-2003, 08:52 PM

I've been through alot of what you are going through. For the past twenty years I have been going to the same dentist faithfully. He always gives me an "A+" for homework. The past several years my gums have been bleeding. I never thought much of it because I've been seeing the same dentist for over 20 years and everything (according to him) is wonderful. I have recentley switched dentists and according to this new guy I have four cavities and also sever to advanced gum disease! He tells me to see a perio or I soon will be losing teeth! I went to the perio in August for a consult- and according to him I do have severe to advanced gum disease- I need to have scaling and planing done, and also have oral surgery to the tune of over $5000. I started the scalings last week and will finish them by the end of the year. It costs $700 for all 4 quadrants. I will be getting the work done over the next couple of years as my insurance pays for about 60% of it. It's a very expensive deal, and has no guarnatees that I will not need dentures somewher down the road anyway. Sometimes i think it would be easier and cheaper just to get the dentures! I am a 40 year old female. Anyway good luck to you.

hry33 · 11-27-2003, 01:29 PM

lots of brushing with a hard toothbrush can cause gums to recede

WhyNot · 11-27-2003, 03:03 PM

Thanks for your thoughts MyOMy and hry33...certainly hope your situation improves MyOMy with your new dentist and treatment course as it sounds like you may have a plan somewhat in place to handle your problem. Keep the faith and let us know how things progress...

My teeth appear healthy and are actually reasonably white...pretty straight too as I had braces when I was a youth. I don't brush my teeth overly hard and I always use a soft toothbrush. It's just like I mentioned in my original post, over the last 6 months or so I've watched the gums recede significantly like on a daily basis. Again, they don't bleed and are fairly pink (not overly red) in color. I guess what I'd like to say too is that I very much value (like) my teeth and couldn't imagine losing them due to gum problems or bone loss. I need to figure this out and sooner rather than later. Also I forgot to mention that I don't smoke or use smokeless tobacco and am otherwise generally healthy. Anyone else out there ever experience this gum problem and know what could be going on???

WhyNot · 12-01-2003, 10:07 PM

Still looking for insight/thoughts/advice...