gum disease loose teeth

lisa2015

Hi
So i have pretty bad gum disease with now 2 v loose back upper molars where i think theres a lot of bone disease
Ive had some v bad experiences with dentists and hence am terrifed to go.
Im so ashamed and embarassed that ive let it get this bad
Can anyone recommend a dentist in d9/7 who will be non judgemental and good with a nervous patient?

Sadler32

Hi Lisa,

Have you had any luck with your post. I am sort of the same situation. Teeth arent loose yet, but gums are receding.
I do go to the dentist regularly, but the cost is getting out of hand. I have tried changing dentists etc, but their attitudes are the same, bad hygiene etc. I brush and floss regularly. Everytime i go (at least every 6 months, more often sometimes), it ends up with a deep clean, which in my opinion costs a fortune and makes it worse.
It would be good to find out what I can do.

I was ashamed and embarrassed too, but I realised that I shouldnt be and you shouldnt be either. You are looking for help which is the important thing.
I have realised recently that Dentists and Doctors in Ireland (the people you should be able to turn too for help) are so judgemental and not bothered.

So I couldnt help more. I dont know and dentists in D9/7, I use one out in Clontarf.

charlietheminxx

I can't advise on the issue but**mod edit no names** were lovely to me. They aren't my regular dentist but if I lived nearby they would be. They really put you at ease.

lisa2015

Hi,Thanks for your reply. I saw a v nice dentist in phibsboro who made me feel at ease,i will go back for a filling with him and hes referred me to a periodontist as i will need some intense cleaning and god know what else. I have a lot of bone loss and two definate loose teeth so ill find out more next month. So for now ill continue brushing flossing and oil pulling,i would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had periodontal treatment and how they found it results wise and cost

Sadler32

Hi Lisa,
Glad you got to find someone who put you at ease. Do you mind me asking what periodontist he reffered you too?? I think I might just try and go down that route too...

coylemj

I understand that you are nervous patients but as a lay (non medic) person I see nothing wrong with a doctor or dentist being 'judgemental'. This isn't like getting a puncture repaired - what's wrong with a medical professional telling you (hopefully gently and sensitively) that you're doing things wrong and you need to lose weight, stop smoking or brush & floss better?

For the money I'm paying, as well as diagnosis and treatment I expect the medical professional to tell me if I'm doing something wrong and how to fix it. If your cholesterol is too high, do you consider the doctor is being 'judgemental' if he/she tells you to cut down on cakes and biscuits? Should a dentist tell you that you're not brushing properly or often enough when they see that you have gum disease?

You're paying a professional for their training, I'm more than happy if they lecture me on how to do things right. It's the ones that treat you like a machine on an assembly line that I don't go back to.

lisa2015

Sure, I will send us a PM with details as i think it not cool to name referrals here

Sadler32

Thanks Lisa.

Hi Coylemj, I actually dont mind going to the dentist. I go at least 3 times a year. Maybe judgemental was the wrong word to use, but I do feel that the last few I have gone too treat me as a machine, in and out and on to the next.
I do brush at least 3 times a day and floss. I do take care of my mouth, only ever had one filling with no other cavities.

The last couple of dentists, I have gone to, all they do is say i recommend a deep clean, do the deep clean and then schedule the next one. I would love for them to sit me down and lecture me on how to do things right. I realise they are the professionals and know more then I do, but I havent got that, just see you next time. Thats the bit I dont agree with. Sure there has been two now that told me that bad teeth is in your Genes, which makes me a bit sketical.....

I am looking to find one close, who will sit me down and lecture me on what I am doing wrong and how to do things right.....

CaoimheSquee

lisa2015 wrote: »

Hi,Thanks for your reply. I saw a v nice dentist in phibsboro who made me feel at ease,i will go back for a filling with him and hes referred me to a periodontist as i will need some intense cleaning and god know what else. I have a lot of bone loss and two definate loose teeth so ill find out more next month. So for now ill continue brushing flossing and oil pulling,i would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had periodontal treatment and how they found it results wise and cost

I have been referred to a periodontist too - let me know how you get on and good luck!

ohnonotgmail

lisa2015 wrote: »

Hi,Thanks for your reply. I saw a v nice dentist in phibsboro who made me feel at ease,i will go back for a filling with him and hes referred me to a periodontist as i will need some intense cleaning and god know what else. I have a lot of bone loss and two definate loose teeth so ill find out more next month. So for now ill continue brushing flossing and oil pulling,i would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had periodontal treatment and how they found it results wise and cost

what is "oil pulling" in this context?

lisa2015

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

what is "oil pulling" in this context?

Hi,Oil pulling is taking a tablespoon of coconut oil and swishing it around your mouth as you would do with mouthwash. Theres a school of thought that coconut oil is antibacterial and can help to eliminate some bacteria from from your mouth. For me i feel it leaves my mouth cleaner and if my gums are inflamed it calms it a little.
I cant say its a replacement for going to the dentist or treatment but i do feel my gums have improved in some ways as a result.

ohnonotgmail

lisa2015 wrote: »

Hi,Oil pulling is taking a tablespoon of coconut oil and swishing it around your mouth as you would do with mouthwash. Theres a school of thought that coconut oil is antibacterial and can help to eliminate some bacteria from from your mouth. For me i feel it leaves my mouth cleaner and if my gums are inflamed it calms it a little.
I cant say its a replacement for going to the dentist or treatment but i do feel my gums have improved in some ways as a result.

Any of the dentists here able to say if this works?

lisa2015

CaoimheSquee wrote: »

I have been referred to a periodontist too - let me know how you get on and good luck!

Thanks Caoimhe ,cant say im looking forward to it! But i will let you know

ballsymchugh

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Any of the dentists here able to say if this works?

it does in its hole.

the mechanical breakdown of the biofilm that causes gum disease is what counts. ie brushing properly and flossing.
if you think that doing something else other than this is going to make much of a difference, then you're not doing it right.
bugs aren't stupid. they can build up resistance to things, even mouthwash, which is why mouthwash aimed at gum disease (chlorhexidine) shouldn't be used for an extended period of time. i tell my patients not to bother with it, because people tend to rely on it instead of brushing and flossing adequately.

ohnonotgmail

ballsymchugh wrote: »

it does in its hole.

the mechanical breakdown of the biofilm that causes gum disease is what counts. ie brushing properly and flossing.
if you think that doing something else other than this is going to make much of a difference, then you're not doing it right.
bugs aren't stupid. they can build up resistance to things, even mouthwash, which is why mouthwash aimed at gum disease (chlorhexidine) shouldn't be used for an extended period of time. i tell my patients not to bother with it, because people tend to rely on it instead of brushing and flossing adequately.

Thank you for your response. Please note that i was in no way advocating this. As i asked the opinion of professionals in the field i thought was clear. the fractiousness of the reply was a tad unwarranted.

ballsymchugh

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Thank you for your response. Please note that i was in no way advocating this. As i asked the opinion of professionals in the field i thought was clear. the fractiousness of the reply was a tad unwarranted.

believe me, when you see people reading stuff off the net and ignoring scientific advice, it is warranted. one of the biggest supporters of oil pulling on twitter is Andy Carroll's wife. she has hundreds of thousands of followers, many of whom prefer to believe her instead of their dentist.

it's very easy. you will do more with a 2 euro toothbrush with no gimmicks on it than you will ever do with expensive products to prevent gum disease.
when perio patients ask me what brush they should be using, my usual reply is one with a handle and bristles. it's all about the attitude and technique.

DSN

I was diagnosed with severe gum disease (lost one tooth already) & went to a peridontist in July had total of 2 hours of (intense) root planning (ie a deeper than deep clean if you like scraping as much of the tarter out of the gums).
Has it worked - I think my gums are less inflamed, no bleeding anyway but I don't know I have to go back in Dec & she'll tell me if improvement. It cost me €750 for the planning & another €100 to go back to see if it working. ouch.

Tips I got was use curaprox swiss fine bristle soft tooth brushes & the correct sized interdentals, she went round all my teeth & said I needed green & yellow ones. too small & useless & too big erodes & hurts gums more. She said brush each tooth at a time, don't put heavy pressure but make sure & brush up into the gums SOFTLY & brush front & back of each tooth.

Will see what she says in December I suppose but I cant afford this really but guess it has to be better than losing more teeth Hope I can get back to regular hygienist after this (I have always got a deep clean twice a year past few years as I had braces & knew my gums weren't great)

Makapakka

So would you say a clean is not going to help with receding gums? I've got receding gums and I have a clean booked for two weeks. My teeth aren't loose yet but I'm afraid the clean will make them looser

lisa2015

Thanks for your post DSN and your tips on brushes etc ,its good to hear someones experience,im seeing the periodontist mid november. Im really dreading it but its got to be done! Good luck with your follow up in December I hope its good news for you

CaoimheSquee

How did you get on Lisa?
I am going to one on Monday morning next week. Some pretty bad gum disease was spotted and a periodontist was recommended for best possible resolution.
I am TERRIFIED!

lisa2015

Hi Caoimhe,i havent been yet ! I postponed my appointment so its now in 2 weeks,im dreading it but im def going!! Good luck on monday,hope it goes well for you

CaoimheSquee

Lisa I had my appointment on Monday and I survived!

It wasn't that bad. The worst is going to be the strain on my wallet, but a full clean (4 sessions) will do the trick. Thank goodness I don't need surgery. My dentist did scare me a bit I must say!

I have gum disease too and at a very young age (i'm 34). I just never really noticed as my teeth are grand - I havent needed a filling in over 5 years!
Anyway, being a social smoker, not going to dentist regularly enough for cleans and my family all suffering from it I have a problem now that needs fixing. My upper gums apparently are pretty bad and need to be done quick.

They will divide the clean into four parts and each session will cost €350 a go. YIKES
I have decided not to go with sedation, I really think I can do this and have been assured and promised I will be so numbed I wont feel pain (which is where my fear stems from - i just associate dentistry with excruciating pain and have many pretty horrible and disturbing memories from childhood. There is a whole generation in Ballinteer who have a severe dentist phobia!).

The check up was fine. The inspection of the gums was sore and they stung for a couple of hours after but nothing too bad. Then they took loads of xrays and sat down and went through them with me and a general treatment plan, which they sent on a day after a full study of everything. I cannot tell you how relieved I was after it and how much the staff helped in preparing me for this with how kind and professional they were!

The very best of luck to you and give me a shout if you want to know anything!
You can do this!

lisa2015

Hi Caoimhe,I'm glad to hear all went well for you on Monday! Sounds like it wasn't too bad apart from the cost but it will be worth it in the end
My appointment is just before Christmas,so i will let you know how it goes
Thanks for all info on the appointment,i feel a lot better about it knowing whats involved
Talk soon

btkm8unsl0w5r4

The cost to replace one tooth with an implant is around 2-3k, so spending 1.5k on cleaning that may with good home care extend the longevity of you teeth is a very wise investment. Good job.

CaoimheSquee

Yara Tender Scenery wrote: »

The cost to replace one tooth with an implant is around 2-3k, so spending 1.5k on cleaning that may with good home care extend the longevity of you teeth is a very wise investment. Good job.

Oh absolutely. It is getting done without question!