Conditions
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins as a build-up of bacteria and waste products on your teeth that irritate your gums. The first stage of the condition is called gingivitis. When gingivitis is not treated it causes your gums to recede and allows further bacteria to become trapped. If no treatment is given, the tooth’s roots can become visible and it can begin to wobble and weaken, often resulting in the teeth needing to be removed. Generally, gum disease is caused by poor dental hygiene, but there are other factors that heighten your risk levels. These include smoking, diabetes and as a result of hormonal changes around pregnancy. Treatment is normally carried out by a dentist or hygienist and involves removing the built up plaque and tartar, but prevention through regular brushing and flossing is much more effective.
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Hi, i am suffering with gum decease and my top to teeth go inwards to each other which has been embarrassing for years. my lowers gums feel constantly sore and the receding has become really deep and long. My dentist just says eventually they fall out just like her mothers did and that made me feel really depressed! I feel over brushing the lower teeth had started off the receding and then the toll of ill health and medications ect has carried it on. I wish i could get some support somewhere then rather them just deteriorating and falling out! That just dose not make sense! I cannot afford expensive surgery as believe i would if i could! Could you offer me any help please.
hi i have braces and have had them for 2 years now , i have realised my gums are swelling ? is this a huge concern
Hi everyone read all your stories In my opinion most of the problems everyone in general is suffering from really starts out as just a real lack of education about dental health, sure we are told to clean or teeth for recommended 2 minutes but if you've been cleaning your teeth for many years how can you be sure of what 2 minutes actually is without timing. Oral health should have been pushed up along side tobacco avoidence long before,as our mouths being the pathway to overall body wellbeing. Be sure to clean your teeth with a super soft toothbrush even some of those child toothbrushes can appear slightly harsh if you've got really severe gums like mentioned by others If you smoke quit immediately. Begin thinking of your gums like a open wound and begin at once at trying to heal that wound and ridding the mouth of as much bacteria as you possibly can, baring in mind everyone's mouth contain levels of bacteria, including your dentist so don't delay in seeking their advice and don't let them fob you off. Explain to them I am commitited to doing this, this and this to make my situation better, what with their help can they do. Just remember teeth and gums are under attack daily even in the healthiest of mouths. Again invest in a bit of reading on gum health and be extra dilligent in how you clean your teeth and gums. Get yourselves interdental brushes dip it in toothpaste and clean areas of teeth often missed by brushing alone.Do also with oil based mouthwash.Your aim is to penetrate that gumline that really will be missed by simply brushing normally. You have to be systematic when gum disease is the issue. Written something similar on bad breath about practical steps, take a read. Lastly always seek medical help go along to your dentist that's what they get paid to do and I am sure they've seen conditions much worst than you're seeing. Good luck all.
I've been having trouble with bleeding gums for a while. Everytime I brush, there's a lot of blood in my spit, it's usually fully red and this is constant, it never fails. I recently discovered whilst sucking on my gums that I sort of burst it and bit of blood came out. I was wondering if this sounds like gum disease. I am quite nervous of dentists so would like to refrain from seeing them if I have to.
Hi, I'm 16 and my gums are already receding, I think this is due to lack of oral hygiene, which I largely regret. I was just wondering if there is anything that I can do to try and encourage them to grow back, or am I just going to have to live with it? Cheers Leon
hi im 30yrs old,i was homeless for nearly 6yrs and unfortunately rarely brushed them. I have lost 3 teeth from the top and most of the others r massively rotten and cause me constant pain.I am both embarrassed and scared to go to a dentist as im worried they will give me dentures.Please help
I had my teeth removed whem I was very young Im now 67 due to gum desease as Igot older my bottom gum is flat to the jaw and I can no longer where a bottom denture I have no money to pay for surgery and am to embarrest to go out please help.
I have advance periodontitis / bone loss. I was having regular treatment every 3 months, but now I can no longer afford to pay private. I have had to stop treatment for over a year now. How can I get treatment via NHS. I have phoned various NHS dental hospitals in London but have been warned the chances are they will extract my teeth rather then continue with my treatment - the NHS would see this as saving money. I have worked all my life and have paid full national insurance, etc. Please advise further.
Hi, my 12 year old daughter has on the lower front teeth a piece of gum thats coming away from her teeth..from an early age her front teeth have been exposed quite low down...she looks after her teeth..what can be the cause & what can be done about it..?
I am 15, and I admit over the years I haven't been keeping up with my dental hygiene. I would forget to brush my teeth a lot of the time, and I would remember for about a week but then stop thinking about it again. When I brushed after a period of time of not brushing my teeth, my gums would bleed, be very painful and inflame, obviously not used to it. Now I've decided to keep on top of it. My gums stopped bleeding and inflaming after a week of brushing every day and every night. I don't know whether it would be gum disease if it went this easily. I was just wondering that now that my gum doesn't bleed, that I shouldn't have a problem with gum disease or any other related problems.
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