Receding gums?

Hi,


I wondered if anyone who knows a bit about dentistry in the UK can help me.





About a year ago I noticed that the gums around one of my teeth receded quite a bit. I immediately went to the dentist who told me that I don't have gum disease but that the receeding gum was caused by brushing my teeth too often and because of an infected wisdom tooth. I'm on the NHS waiting list to have it removed within the the next couple of months.





I switched to a soft toothbrush, use Sensodyne toothpaste and mouthwash and floss regularly but now quite a lot of my teeth have receded gums around them. My dentist put a filling at the end of one to stop it from receeding any further but I am really worried as the receding just seems to keep on going.





My dentist says it can't be stopped, just avoid acidic food and drinks and brush and floss regularly.





What can I do to stop it or even bring my gums back up?





Any help from someone familiar with the NHS and UK system would be appreciated.

Receding gums?
I am a patient with a similar problem. Some of the gums around my teeth are receeding and like you, i'm very concerned.


What your dentist has told you is right, it cannot be stopped. Receeding can only be kept down to a minimum, by brushing correctly with a soft toothbrush.


Unfortunately this is the only way to keep things at bay.


I wish you well!!
Reply:Your dentist is right. Our gums naturally recede as we get older, unfortunately some people's go faster and at a younger age. You are doing all you can do;


There is nothing which will bring them back up again;
Reply:Switch to an an automatic toothbrush like Braun. It's also good for massaging gums and stimulate growth.
Reply:you need to see a dentist asap.
Reply:I did a report on non-US socialist healthcare systems... I'd get a private policy if I were you, but you'll have to pay out of pocket for immediate treatment. Hey, it's your body, it's worth it ... let's hope.
Reply:I have the same problem, I am 55 and it has been going on noticeably since I was 40. I got told the same about brushing but too late. Our mums and dads tell us to brush a lot to keep the teeth in good condition and the dentists say do less to save the gums, can't win either way.





The only advice I can give is do have any fillings necessary done on the newly exposed part as it has no enamel, deteriorates faster than the part which should be outside and if neglected can easily get cavities and make you hyper sensitive to hot or cold drinks and to sweet food that sticks, such as chocolate which I know we should not be eatting anyway.





If the receding is on one tooth only I did have a friend who had that treat by the dentist cutting the gum each side then pullung it over the exposed part of the tooth and stitching the sides together but I have not had that done personally and anyway my receding is all over.
Reply:You first need to make sure that there is no infection under the gums. That can cause gums to reced, especially if it's in just one area of your mouth. There is a web site I found below for a dentist in the UK who answers this question (not in great detail unfortunately) and also has a link to some sort of product. Don't know anything about it since I'm in the US. Good luck.
Reply:Hi:





I've also heard from my dentist here in the US to use dental sticks in addtition to brushing and flossing - the type I got are called Stimudent. Dental sticks are similar to toothpicks, but you use them in between your teeth and insert the ends, and gently press down on your gum tissue to compress it. That helps sort of make the gum tissue respond and keep healthier somehow. Also, make sure you get enough vitamin C for healthy gums - if you smoke, you're also a lot more likely to have gum problems - I remember reading a long time ago, that every cigarette you smoke, zaps 50 mg of vitamin C out of your system, so smokers need even more.





Over strenuous brushing really irritates the gums. For about the past two years, I've been using an inexpensive electric toothbrush, and that really help to keep my teeth feeling clean without irritating my gums.





You might also want to be sure you keep your saliva flowing. I chew a lot of sugarfree gum like Extra to do that, and that seems to help me. I think that really helps keep tooth decay at bay, too.





I don't think there is a lot you can do to make gum tissue come back, but you try to keep it from receeding further. I think if it gets really bad, you can have transplanted tissue, but that gets into surgery.





For general tooth help, if you're a tea drinker, you probably get some nice fluoride from the tea. The stronger the tea is, the more fluoride it contains too. You can also use a product like Act Anticavity Fluoride treatment. You just use this product every day sort of like mouthwash, but you hold it and swish it around in your mouth for about a minute, and then spit it out, and be sure not to drink or eat anything for about 30 minutes to let the product absorb.





Hope this helps.
Reply:Hi,


I'm from USA California, I don't know any thing about the UK system but I do know that Acacia, Goldenseal Rood and Garlic are all good for mouth or gum infections. Acacia is rated as the best thing to be used against Gum or tooth infections in the book Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhneri. I hope this imformation helps...
Reply:Ask your friends if they know a good dentist.Get a second opinion .You can ask to be referred to a specialist,in this case a periodontist,for an opinion.You can also arrange an appointment at a dental school/hospital if there's one nearby .Despite what you may think dental schools/hospitals are centres of excellence you're not at the mercy of some over eager student.