Gum disease

23 years ago I was warned by a locum NHS dentist that my gum disease was advanced and that I was going to lose all my teeth. I was furious because I'd always taken great care with my teeth and had mentioned my bleeding gums countless times to my regular dentist who had brushed aside my concerns. He was an NHS dentist.

I found a private dentist who said he could treat me. He gave me root planing under sedation which saved my teeth. It cost me about £2,000 back then in 2001 but it did the trick.

I was lucky enough to be referred to the Eastman Dental Hospital and I had this treatment 30 years ago on the NHS. I doubt if it is still available.

Humbertbear

I was lucky enough to be referred to the Eastman Dental Hospital and I had this treatment 30 years ago on the NHS. I doubt if it is still available.

.. and even if it is available, there'd be a 5 year wait during which all your teeth would fall out anyway

I don’t but my husband does. Fortunately, our very good NHS dentist helped him and gave him some very good advice. Even so, he has lost some teeth. However, his parents lost nearly all their teeth quite young for the same reason.

Sparkefizz, that NHS dentist was just useless and should have known better because it was well-known at that time that gum disease was treatable. Like Humbertbear I was diagnosed with gum disease 28 years ago but I went private to a practice in Southampton as it meant a day trip to London for free treatment at a London hospital and I was still breastfeeding at the time. I had x-rays and had to attend regularly to learn how to keep my gums clean. Really, what happens is you 'disrupt' the bacteria (or whatever it is that causes the plaque build-up) by flossing etc every day and by cleaning teeth very systematically. I still use a manual toothbrush and I use a single-tufted brush afterwards. I also floss every evening and use a water flosser every day too along with different sizes of bottlebrushes that you can buy in chemists. It is a pain to do and is very long-winded in the morning and evening but it does the job. I go 4 times a year to the hygienist and she checks to see if there are any problems. Realistically, all I can expect is for my cleaning to keep the disease at bay by not over or under-cleaning the gum-line and under. Nana56 You need to see a periodontist and they will arrange to have a personalised cleaning regime so you can do the same. If I carry on as I am, I should keep my teeth. Stress is a factor which may be a combination of having less time to clean or to rush it plus my immunity being down so I have experienced more problems during times of anxiety.

Thanks for replying , I have had dental planing, and use the bottle brush too.
None of my teeth are currently bleeding ,so u was upset that one if my teeth has suddenly got worse

lizparr Sparkefizz, that NHS dentist was just useless and should have known better because it was well-known at that time that gum disease was treatable.

Yes, he was useless and shortly afterwards took early retirement on the grounds of ill health.

My teeth and gums are fine now. I have some serious health problems which caused my gum disease initially (plus poor dentistry at the time), but since the root planing I have kept it all at bay with TePe brushes, floss, an electric toothbrush and a brilliant dentist.

Gum disease can be hereditary but there are other factors as well. Diabetes, certain medications etc . Plus poor dental work in the past creates difficulty in interdental care . If you’ve had deep cleaning in the past , then you’ve had or got bone loss and pockets around your teeth. Deep cleaning cleans underneath the gum to reduce pockets . If you’ve got bone loss, the bone doesn’t return , so you need regular visits to your dentist or hygienist to maintain your periodontal condition . Plus excellent oral hygiene.
I’m a hygienist and would recommend you see a hygienist every 3 months rather than the dentist as they have more time with you . Or ask for a referral to a periodontist . FYI gum disease is very common , most adults have some degree of gum disease and if it’s not treated initially then it deteriorates into bone loss and tooth loss .

I too have issues with receding gums, it's horrible. The expression 'long in the tooth' springs to mind!! I go to dentist regularly and have always done so, I have teeth scaled and polished and twice a year have a jet wash which removes any stains and leave teeth feeling wonderful. But still I have issues in fact I need treatment right now but can't have an appointment till 30th of the month.I am getting 'electric shock' type pain every now and then and it is very painful, brings me out in a hot sweat until it subsides. Once I could ring my practise and get an emergency appointment the same day or at least the next. How people manage with raging tooth ache I dread to think!!

I was fobbed off by my NHs dentist for years telling me 'some peoples gums just bleed more' and only recently realised how cursory his check ups were.Plus he had no hygienist and I had to push for a scale and polish twice a year.But that's not enough .When I lost a molar and was in danger of losing another despite regular brushing ,flossing and check ups I went privately last year using a dental plan payment.The dentist- and hygienist in particular - have been do good and supportive.3 monthly cleans after 2 deep cleans,correct use of inter dental brushes have made a huge differnce.My gums now never bleed.I may still lose that one other tooth eventually but they are confident I will keep the others .I only wish I changed dentists years ago.I sympathise Nana 56.It is such a worry.But if your disease is so advanced maybe seek a second oppinion ?

Back in the early 1980's I visited a dentist as I had a mild toothache. He had just installed hygeniest in his clinic and was pushing for all patients to attend there. Hygeniest cost £15. At that time had six young children and hubbie with MS - were existing on benefits. Fifteen quid was a virtually a weeks worth of food!!!!

This dentist told me that I had 'rampant gum disease'. and if I did not attend this hygeniest I would lose all my teeth inthe next five years!!! I knew I could afford paying out that money and left that surgery in tears.

Now, forty years later still have all those teeth!!!! So, excuse me if I am just a little cynical about all this gum disease talk

could not. afford.....please let us have an edit t button

Tenko
My daughter is going through this treatment at the moment at a cost of £1,700.
It sounds truly horrendous.

I have receding gums and the NHS dentist I was seeing was not a lot of help.
I now go to a specialist dental practice where I had my gums deep cleaned last year. I now see the hygienist there every three months for a thorough clean.
I'm not going to lie the deep cleaning, with numb gums, was not pleasant at all. Two sessions of an hour each which cost a lot of money but I don't regret it as I certainly do not want to lose my teeth.
I use an electric toothbrush together with the little brushes that clean between the teeth and it all seems to be working.
I believe that a lot of the treatment we were put through when children has not helped matters. I like many others was terrified of the dentist until I found one who was sympathetic to my fears. Maybe the damage was done back then.
Nanna56 good luck with your treatment and believe me you are not alone.

I have had gum problems fir years and believe that the treatment I received at the school dentist in the 50 s has not helped. Every tooth had been filled before I left primary school despite sweets being rationed til I was 6 and I left at 10, so just 4 years. I didn’t even like sweets.
My gc have no fillings and my dds only a couple.
At least I kept my now fragile teeth but my mum had all hers taken out at 25 because her dentist said national health false teeth were better.
I go to the dentist but am always nervous, while my children and gc d are never bothered.

silverlining48 My teeth were damaged by the school dentist too.... my teeth were crowded and he extracted the 2 wrong teeth to make more room, which affected my bite and has caused endless trouble. I also had a number of fillings despite not having a sweet tooth and, as you say, sweets were rationed anyway.

silverlining48

I have had gum problems fir years and believe that the treatment I received at the school dentist in the 50 s has not helped. Every tooth had been filled before I left primary school despite sweets being rationed til I was 6 and I left at 10, so just 4 years. I didn’t even like sweets.
My gc have no fillings and my dds only a couple.
At least I kept my now fragile teeth but my mum had all hers taken out at 25 because her dentist said national health false teeth were better.
I go to the dentist but am always nervous, while my children and gc d are never bothered.

I'm exactly the same! I've got fillings in all my double teeth at the back, none at the front though (yet). My excellent NHS dentist retired pre-covid and the practice has been taken over, now preferring cosmetic dentistry. My check ups are about 5 seconds long and I've not had a scale & polish for 4 years - even though this would be included in the payment. I have a problem with a broken filling - his suggestion was "pull it out", rather than try to mend it.

My teeth were overfilled as a small child and this has affected their strength. They can now break on the softest thing. An example is mushrooms and another on soft bread.
Sparkle I had 4 removed by the school dentist witch lady.
Terrifying.
For anyone who is nervous I was prescribed Diazepam and have to say they work, though dont stop the pre appt anxiety.
Hollyhock I have a broken tooth at present and no way would I have it taken out. It’s towards the front and am actually used to it now.
Having had a molar out last week ( 2 diazepam) I need a break!

I am having such a lot of issues due to sensitivity in my teeth I am seriously considering having the top ones all removed and getting a denture. Bottom ones no problems as yet. Has anyone who has a top denture only found it beneficial and does that work with your teeth at the bottom???

Hollyhock1 very similar experience, though I was private. The new practice owners only wanted to align and whiten your teeth. Also they seemed to work when it suited them, not the patient. Fortunately I have found a new practice which, though private, is a breath of fresh air and best of all super staff.

Travels that is a big decision. I hate the idea of false teeth as j asbe strong gag reflex so would do anything to avoid that.
I was prescribed toothpaste by my dentist which helped my sensitivity. Find out options before you decide. Good luck 🤞

travelsafar

I am having such a lot of issues due to sensitivity in my teeth I am seriously considering having the top ones all removed and getting a denture. Bottom ones no problems as yet. Has anyone who has a top denture only found it beneficial and does that work with your teeth at the bottom???

About three weeks ago, I had five teeth out, and a denture fitted, gums are still quite tender need to take denture out to eat!!
I still have all my own lower teeth.. bite seems fine, but any problems and I will just go back to my dentist, I think it will take a while for things to really settle..