periodontal disease any sufferers out there?

[lofwyr]

So as it turns out I have it. How bad it is remains to be seen, but it looks like it is isolated to a few teeth on the top between the molars and canines on both sides. Not terrible, but not reversible either.

Funny thing is, I thought I always had really good dental hygiene. Guess I was wrong. I also let 6 years slip between dental visits...so that didn't help.

So now, at just shy of 45 I have this is full blown periodontal disease, not just gingivitis, and the gums have receded up the root. I am waiting until February of next year to get the full work up and second cleaning, and it will be a cleaning every six months from now on...yay! :spineyes:

My question is for anyone else who is suffering with it. Is there a good way to stabilize it? To keep from losing the teeth? Or should I expect that at some point they will have to go? As it happens, I don't really have any other issues. No infection, no pain, maybe a little bit of sensitivity to the root area. Anyone have an experience to share with me about this?

I know it is irreversible, but I am keen to keep it stopped in its tracks. If that is doable. I would love to hear about any honest experiences with periodontal disease. I am coming here because I know I will turn googling into a fatal disease. ;-)

[ricardo]

Unfortunately I have this and it is caused from smoking but mainly through years of various anti depressants which take away the saliva. However no real excuse not to go to the dentist for 6 years.
Unfortunately in time, which could be years, you will lose certain teeth but you must see a hygenist regularly as from now .
Usually the treatment is done on two visits within a few days of each other for each side of the face.

[lofwyr]

Yeah, it could be worse, of course. It is not fatal, which is always nice. And it really looks limited to a few teeth on each side on the top, which isn't as bad as it could be. It also looks like my front teeth and molars in the way back are fine.

So, guess I will have to get used to the dentists chair. So in your experience the disease is always progressive, you cannot stop its advance? Bummer. Ahh well, what fun is being an old man if I am not bald and toothless. Guess I will really test my wife's long term commitment to me. ;-)

[ricardo]

The disease is progressive but can be prolonged by regular visits to the dentist. You may have a good 5 years left on any particular tooth but there is no set rule.If your immune system is down that can fast forward problems,so my dentist told me.

[lofwyr]

Well, there are certainly worse conditions than gum disease, so if it has to be one thing, at least this is it.

Sadly, or fortunately, the teeth are all in great shape. I think it was brushing too hard for the most part that did me in. I didn't even know that was an issue until this last dentist visit.

Thanks for sharing. Any others dealing with it?
I will look for a specialist as soon as I see my mom through knee surgery.

[JaeBee]

Hi. I too was diagnosed with periodontal disease last year. Mine was due to smoking and long term medications.

I was referred to a periodontal specialist and underwent treatment called root planing. This is where they clean the root of the tooth below the gum line to help the gingiva to adhere to the tooth and stop more nastiest getting down there. I invested in a good electric toothbrush, and brush 2 to 3 times a day. I also now use interdental brushes twice daily with an antiseptic solution prescribed by the specialist.

The root planing sessions were by no means fun but its a one off treatment (one x each side of the mouth) apart from regular dental and hygienist visits. I have been told there is one tooth that I will lose in around 10 or so years but he does not think I will lose anymore. I have been for two check ups with the specialist after the treatments and he is very happy with my progress.

Hope this helps

[cricket0148]

Well, I know i have this. Havent been to the dentist but i know i do. Im wondering, does this cause problems with swallowing or feeling like back of throat is full.

[ricardo]

Well, I know i have this. Havent been to the dentist but i know i do. Im wondering, does this cause problems with swallowing or feeling like back of throat is full.


No, it shouldn't.

[lofwyr]

Yeah, aside from seeing a gap between a few molars and the gum, I have no symtpoms. No pain, no discomfort, I didn't even really know there was a problem. I had no infections, no underlying disease (that I am aware of eek) and feel generally good. It just happens to be that some of my teeth are in trouble.

I will work at taking care of it. I know it is not entirely easy to treat. It is pretty much less than half my teeth which seem to be in trouble, any idea if it spreads beyond the teeth if you control it? As in, if I work at it now, will the teeth that are fine remain okay? Or will it progress to all teeth regardless of how they are now?

I guess the real question is, will it affect my whole mouth even though the majority of my teeth seem to look fine right now? Assuming I treat it, of course.

[cricket0148]

I have to have a full mouth extraction and get dentures so i know its affected my teeth. I also bleed when i brush.

[lofwyr]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I guess getting older has its drawbacks, but the alternative sucks worse as my dad always says. Hang in there

[ricardo]

I have waited 5 weeks for a consultation with the head of Restoration at the Dentistry wing at St.Georges Hospital, Richard Porter, and finally yesterday my wife took me. I had an hour's consultation as I have quite a complex problem with bite and teeth and implants.

However we discussed teeth in general and I was amazed when he told me that going to the hygenist was a complete waste of time for everyone unless they go every 48 hours,which of course is not feasable. That's how long it takes for plague to return and he said apart from brushing your teeth the correct way the most important thing is to floss carefully and thoroughly.

With regards to children, and I am sure there are many of you on here with young kids he told me that because there is more and more sugar in so many things we eat and drink, children are losing their milk teeth faster than ever before but the sad thing is that in many cases even if the milk teeth are removed, the gums have already been damaged and therefore when the adult teeth come through they will be prone to rot and cause many other complications.
I hope this is useful info to those who it applies to.