Just came from the dentist and was told I have minor gum disease. A surprise as I've always had great teeth/gums and cleaning routine. They did that little test where they see how deep pockets are between teeth and gums - nothing should be greater than a 3 - and I had a few that were. A handful of 4s, 5s, and even a 6. The hygienist said I'd need "scaling and root planning" treatment,but then I was told that since I'd always had great gums in the past and had just let too much time go between appointments, to just make an appointment in 3 months and see if I can turn things around between now and then with that day's cleaning + great tooth care. Any suggestions on how to do this? My understanding is that there is bacteria down in these pockets that you can't get to with brushing and mouthwash, etc. So it seems you need the dentist to go in and clean them out. But then, I know you can turn around bleeding gums and minor gingivitis with great tooth care. Anyone have any suggestions on how to turn this around so I don't have to spend tons of money getting my teeth deep cleaned? I found a little syringe online that is supposed to get peroxide or other cleaning agent down in there, but don't know if it's worth the $30. Would love to hear your suggestions!
This happened to me after my first pregnancy. I've had to move to a teeth cleaning every three months - 2 regular with my dentist's office and two with my periodontist. That alone has made a huge difference. Daily flossing, interdental brushes, Interdental pick and Listerine moved me from 4s and 5s to 2s :)
Good luck!
If you're already reluctant to spend just $30 on something, I don't know how you'll feel about my suggestion: Get a Sonicare electric toothbrush. Not a little $7.00 battery-powered grocery-store throwaway thing but a real Sonicare. They cost, depending on the model, from about $80 to nearly $200, but the least expensive model should be fine. They are worth the money. Use it religiously twice a day and even three times. They will help the overall condition of your mouth. And of course you have to floss more etc.
I'm surprised that the dentist did not give you specific instructions on how to "turn it around before the next visit" other than to go on "that day's cleaning and great tooth care." Ask them if they actually recommend these syringes you mention or other things; make them work to help you out a little more with some specific recommendations! My dentist recommended the Sonicare years ago though not specifically for gum disease.
My hygienist always recommends gargling with peroxide/water (half and half). Not sure that will turn it around....
Be careful, vigorous brushing can be the culprit. Try brushing with your other hand.
Floss daily, then rinse with a mouthwash. The doctor prescribed a special mouthwash for my husband for this purpose but we now buy the blue ACT mouthwash which is antiseptic and restores calcium. We also have a Waterpik, and you can mix a little mouthwash in the bowl with the water. We have one with multiple type heads, and one is specifically for using along the gum line. We also bought a special electric toothbrush from the dentist for my daughter who has braces with multiple heads - I don't think it is a sonicare but my in-laws LOVE their sonicare.
I might change dentists if the hygienist was not more specific than what you describe, and did not offer you sample sizes of products or tools to use.
I had the same thing happen to me. Hit it with the Sonicare, Waterpik, flossing each daily and rinsing with salt water if I didn't brush after a meal. I was able to avoid the procedure by doing this religiously.
Hydrogen Peroxide.
:)
They have a medicated mouth wash just for this purpose. My dentist also told me 1/2 water...1/2 proxide.
I hate dentists, I trust them the least of any doctor. In my experience, they tend to blow things out of proportion and I feel like they're always looking to recommend procedures you don't really need to bring in the dollars. Sounds cynical, I know, but as I've said this has been my experience. I was told several years ago that I had the same problem you do. My dentist even prescribed a special Rx only mouthwash. When. Went to the pharmacy to fill the prescription, I found out it cost $85! And that was after what my insurance covered. I decided "screw this" and just bought Listerine instead. I used it daily and at my next check-up, everything was in good order. My dentist didn't ebb ask about the Rx mouthwash. Moral of the story, take heed of the message but don't go crazy. Sure, some people really do need oral surgeries, but I wouldn't even contemplate anything serious until you've exhausted simple at-home remedies. I bet you'll be fine.
I had the same problem in-between my two front teeth. This is due to a wire that has been permanently stuck on the back of the teeth. It was very hard to floss, even with the little loop thing they have now. I finally found a way to floss there, and in 6 months they said I was down to a 1, from a 4.5. I floss twice a day, as well as gargle with peroxide/water. Brushing after meals, and using baking soda now and then as a toothpaste has helped me. A water pik would do wonders too. I had one when I had braces, and it worked well.
I'm in love with my waterpik! It has an attachment that will get down into the gums and do the same thing that they do at the dentist. Its great for my braces because I can "floss" and not have to sit there and thread the floss through each bracket.
I recommend getting one and using it regularly so you can turn this around.
BTW you can put peroxide, mouthwash and other things in there to also help.
Sonicare.
Don't overbrush. That will exacerbate the problem. The sonicare, if used properly, actually helps you to not brush so hard.
Floss, floss, floss! Also, did your dentist prescribe Peridex? At the office I work at, we usually give patients the syringes to use to make sure they are targeting the correct areas. Maybe call your dentist and see if they can give you one of the syringes.
A water pik works great! Use the water pik, brush, floss and use Listerine mouthwash (it's an antiseptic - kills the germs but you have to keep it in your mouth for about 2 minutes - it's hard at first, but gets easier the more you do it) 2 times per day. I have also seen that new Crest toothpaste that says that in as little as 4 weeks it can reverse gum disease. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it.
Good luck! I have gun disease and have lost most of my teeth. I can't wait to get the rest out and just be dentures. No more tooth problems! Can't wait!
N.,
I have one more suggestion for you. I had a similar issue several years ago, although it wasn't quite as bad as yours (I think I had a lot of 4's and a couple 5's). I had already been using an electric toothbrush (the Oral B one that is comparable to the SoniCare everyone seems to be recommending) and I still had gingivitis. The hygienist who diagnosed it was a brassy woman and she described it to me like this (kind of gross, but it certainly explains it!): my gums were like zits. There was bacteria built up inside causing them to swell. What she said I should do is to "pop" them (the gums, not zits) using GUM Interdental Brushes. You can find them at drugstores and they are MUCH less expensive than an electric toothbrush or a waterpik. I used them for the next 6 months, once a day, pushing them between each tooth after brushing. At first my gums bled a little and were slightly sore (but they were after my dental visit, too, and she told me that would happen so I wasn't worried). But after a couple of days, there was no more bleeding and by my next dentist visit, I was told my gums were fine. They then suggested I move "down" to GUM soft picks, which I've used once a day ever since. Since that initial visit where the gum disease was diagnosed, I have not had any gum pockets greater than 3 (most are 2's, with a couple 3's).
I do highly recommend an electric toothbrush, as well. But if cost is an issue for you, the Interdental Brushes are a cheap way to turn things around before your next visit in 3 months.
Good luck!
peroxide can cause the gums to "peel", so my dentist doesn't recommend it. Our gum specialist recommends using Listerine twice a day, for 30 seconds. It's the only mouthwash that has that combination of ingredients. The Crest pro health mouthrinse without alcohol in it doesn't burn like listerine, but I haven't seen any test results comparing the two that are favorable to crest. Proctor & Gamble is terrific about getting out information that puts their products in a favorable light, so I don't think there is any. Check the ingredient label on the generic listerine & see if there is a difference. Most I've seen are the same.
Flossing is SO important-be sure to scrape the sides of the teeth with the floss to remove the plaque below the gums. Use only a soft or extra soft toothbrush so you don't beat up the gums, and place the bristles on the gums themselves to clean the entire tooth. Interdental brushes can be a great help, but they don't replace flossing.
Sadly, there are dentists (and other doctors, lawyers, etc) who see their practice as a money maker, and I'm sorry Chris G. has such bad feelings regarding her care. There are those of us who do care, and I hope you can find one you can trust.
