Teeth, Gums, Better Oral Health????

Hi, I've read many answers on this site about receding gums and proper brushing techniques as well as searching the web but i havn't got the answers i was looking for. I am a teenager who has worn braces for about 5 year, has slight reccesion on the lower front/side teeth, one molar with the inside gum reaching the bone, I have a couple of small fillings at the back chewing surfaces and acid erosion on the front teeth. I brush my teeth 2/3 times a day after meals but i don't understand why my teeth are so bad. Could someone kindly answer these questions for me:





1. How long does it take for gums to receed, 2 mins or a period of time?


2. Is there a way to reverse receeding gums, or a treatment which would give a more appealling smile (stem cells, graft) what would be the cost?


3. Are white fillings the way forward to improve my smile? How much would it cost? Do they last longer than the mercury fillings?


4. Would seeing a hygienist help?


5. Is there any treatment to acid erosion?

Teeth, Gums, Better Oral Health????
Wow! GREAT questions!!!





1) Gums can receed in as little as a week if your brush technique is aggressive enough!





2) You cannot reverse gum recession, only a dentist or a periodontist can through gum grafting. There are various graft techniques and they vary in price and effectiveness where the coverage of your roots are concerned. A competent dentist or periodontist will be happy to discuss techniques and prices.





3) White fillings do not last as long as silver fillings. That said, if you are talking about front teeth, only white fillings are used. Another option is porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. When you get into porcelain, the price jumps up considerably.





4) Seeing a hygienist twice a year is an excellent routine to be in. She can examine and clean your teeth and provide you will products and skills you can use at home to obtain optimal health. Once a hygienist sees you, she will recommend the number of appointments you need per year to enjoy good health. It varies from patient to patient.





5) Acid erosion is a very common problem and tough to control unless a patient is willing to change their diet. Many of the beverages, especially carbonated beverages, contain significant amounts of citric acid which does a very efficient job of eroding enamel. If you must consume these beverages, drink through a straw and try to avoid letting the beverage contact your teeth. The sour gummie candies people eat are also full of citric acid. Avoid these. To help strengthen the enamel, try a daily rinse of fluoride. There are also rinses available that help with the mineralization of enamel. Remember, these are not fool-proof. If the rate of demineralization or erosion is greater than the rate of mineralization, you WILL have problems. If the wear is already present, you will need restorative work. This could be a simple filling, but it might mean crowns. Get your teeth checked.