Peridontal Disease

I had this problem for years, though managed to hang on to my teeth. The three-monthly hygienist cleaning was so deep and painful that I had injections every time. My gums would regularly become infected and bleed.
My French dentist put me on a new regime. I had one long (three weeks I think) course of antibiotics to kill off the microbes (?) and since then I clean with normal toothpaste morning and lunchtime, but at night with bicarbonate of soda and a very, very soft brush, followed by a mouthwash (Eludril though that isn't much help to you in England). Seven years later, I now go twice a year for a quick clean (no hygienists in France), have no gum disease at all and my wobbly tooth has stabilised.
You can obviously only do this through the dentist and I have no idea what an English dentist would think, but it has worked for me.

Thanks very much for that Mamie. At the moment, after breakfast, I am using dental brushes along with my electric toothbrush and paste, together with a salt rinse. Lunchtime I just clean with the brushes, at night time, the electric brush (paste) again with the toothbrushes. Sometimes at night I rinse with Corsydyl (maybe that's the same as you use!) I will tell my hygienist what you have told me and see what she says as any info to help keep my teeth is very useful and again thank you.

yep me too - a course of antibiotics once some time ago (had an abscess then too) then three monthly hygienist and use of interdental brushes as well as through brushing regime with electric toothbrush and warned off too much citrus fruit - and sugary sweets generally.

I have never consumed sweet drinks or sweets or more than the minimum of sugar, so it was never that with me. My dentist seemed to be saying that the problem was that the balance of PH in my mouth was naturally too acid so the bicarb neutralised it (but it was in very fast French while I was in the chair).

My teeth have always been the bane of my life!!! fillings and braces when I was a child, gold crowns and now periodontal disease now I'm 'old' (my 7 year old grandson's assessment of me!!) so it's quite nice to exchange notes with fellow sufferers! thank you both for your input.

as to grandsons' assessments mine says I'm 'medium old' so that's lovely.

Hi Nigglynellie and all
I have had periodontal disease and for a considerable time although they didn't think to tell me until 5 or so years ago and then didn't really offer much help. Eventually I finally had a dentist who gave me good advice and I had to go to the dentist every 3 months. I brush normally with an electric tooth brush, morning and night, floss daily and use a small dental brush between my teeth. Try to buy toothpaste that is at least 15,000 ppm - some supermarkets own brand fit the bill. I have also given up smoking as this is seen as a partial cause by the dental profession. Gradually, over time my condition has improved and my teeth seem to have stabilised - lost 2 but they were pretty well filled and one had an on-going abscess. At lunch time I quite often use mouthwash, especially if I have been taking any form of sugar, although a small piece of cheese neutralises the mouth successfully (so I understand).
I do think some of it is hereditary as my father had it but smoked like a chimney and DD2 has begun to have the same problem - never smoked in her life and eats little sugar.
Apparently citrus fruit softens the enamel and teeth should not be cleaned until after 20 minutes of indulging, the same goes for soft drinks that are acidic. Hope this helps and keep on with whatever regime the hygienist has given you. Over time, hopefully it will improve

Hi all have any of you had serious gum disease and had to go to a specialist

My sister suffered terrible periodontal disease and was eventually referred to a specialist in Bristol called Mr. Renton - Harper, who carried out a procedure called root planing. She continued going to him every 6 months for several years and now has no gum problems. I had the same problem to a lesser extent, losing one tooth. I was treated with periochips, which are antibiotics that are inserted below the gum line. I now have no problems. I brush twice a day and use tepes plus an interspace brush attachment for my electric toothbrush.

I discussed my receding gums with my dentist and said both me and my sister have had nothing but trouble with our teeth from the word go, yet our brother has the most beautiful set of teeth just like our mum had. Sis and i take after our dad who had awful teeth. Dentist said unfortunately it is usually a genetic thing. We both attend regularly every 6 months, do everything we can to hang on to our teeth and have spent a fortune on them too., but still have this problem with our gums.