Gum Disease - Page 2

[Jane]

Oh, gee, I'm sorry. I had thought I would have something to add because I have gum problems related to birth control/pregnancy hormones. I'm not sure what I'm going to say will help because my problems are pretty minor compared to what you're going through. Well, I'll post anyway.
From what I've found, your body will get used to the hormones and your gums will settle down after time. However, if being inflamed causes more serious infection issues, those won't go away when the hormones settle down.
Personally, I invested in a water pik. I can use the lowest setting even when I can't brush. I will rub my teeth with a washcloth to scrub away the scum and then use the pik for the in-between areas. It's definitely not perfect, though.
Also, I got Bioclean, a non-alcohol mouthwash. It doesn't sting like alcohol, but is antibacterial.
Also, I gargle with warm salty water. (1 cup water, 1 tsp. salt). I have no scientific reason to do this, my dad just always told me to it I have a sore throat or mouth sores. Seems to work, though. And it's free and easy.
Good luck, I hope things settle down in the next few days.

[3boys4us]

Tooth Lengthening

I had a crown after a root canal put on 3 yrs ago. When the crown was put on, I was in pain for a while. But the dentist I went to at the time told me it would subside. Every once in a while it bothered me but I moved and started to see another dentist and he never mentioned any problems to me.

About 2 months ago I went to the dentist and the asst. told me the gum was inflamed and eventually it was decided I needed a tooth lengthening. The crown was a little long. They also told me start brushing my gums because of other problems.

Anyway I've started to brush my gums and the pain around the tooth has pretty much disappeared. I have an appt. to have the tooth lengthening done next month and I am not looking forward to it. I am wondering if this really needs to be done or not. It is going to cost a fortune and we are pretty strapped (as usual) and it no longer seems to be a problem.

[simonee]

If the crown is too long, wouldn't it be smarter to polish it a bit shorter at the ends? Am I correct when I say I get the impression that tooth lengthening means pulling the tooth out a bit so that the crown fits better? Wouldn't that misalign the teeth, and cause malocclusion with the tooth across?

Sounds kinda baloney-ish to me, but who am I? I'd definitely get some more info before having this done. It sounds (again, if my impression is correct) like not only an expensive but also a potentially undesirable operation...

Good luck, and tell us what you decide!!!

[cattrane]

i'm having visions of medieval torture devices just reading the title of your post!

i know nothing about dentistry but it just sounds odd that the solution to a too-long crown is to pull on the tooth. i mean, if your shoes are worn unevenly on the soles, you don't pull your leg slightly out of socket to compensate :

now watch smile swoop in and tell me i'm nuts but i am SO curious what Exactly this procedure entails!

[simonee]

Originally posted by cattrane

i know nothing about dentistry but it just sounds odd that the solution to a too-long crown is to pull on the tooth. i mean, if your shoes are worn unevenly on the soles, you don't pull your leg slightly out of socket to compensate :

:LOL :LOL :LOL :LOL

I think that's what I tried to say, too!

[3boys4us]

If the crown is too long, wouldn't it be smarter to polish it a bit shorter at the ends? Am I correct when I say I get the impression that tooth lengthening means pulling the tooth out a bit so that the crown fits better? Wouldn't that misalign the teeth, and cause malocclusion with the tooth across?

No it's worse then that - they want to remove part of my gums on the tooth and around it. The crown is too long on the part that rests next to the gum - not the other way. Apparently I can't eat solids for a week and it is supposed to be painful. Plus I am a huge wimp.

i'm having visions of medieval torture devices just reading the title of your post!

So am I!

Where is smilemama?

[MamaMonica]

Did you have this done? I had this done a number of years ago and it was very horrible. They said my tooth was too short to hold a crown on. The surgery and recovery hurt very bad and you know what- they crown broke off ANYWAY and the next dentist told me the tooth-lenghtening was UNNECESSARY! I recommend a second opinion. Don't go thru what happened to me. It is extremely painful and only have it if you are sure you need it. It is not a cure-all.

[Jeremade]

Answer for Peridontitis

Hello Ladies,

Wow...sounds like many of you really need some help. I do not know what led me to this board, never been here before and do not have this problem (anymore ) hope I can help.

My number one suggestion for all of you (but especially those of you w/o insurance) suffering from infected, bleedy gums or have been diagnosed with periodontal disease is hydrogene peroxide....it's cheap and it works.

My dentist diagnosed me with periodontitis about 4 years ago and my mom told me she read about using H2O2 as a mouth wash. I started using it straight every morning and night. At my Next cleaning 6 months later it was GONE. The peroxide cleaned and healed my gums. Not to mention you get whiter teeth too! I have had no more problems.

Please note, when you do this, it will foam like peroxide does when there is an infection, but it should NOT burn. If you have canker sores or this happens, I suggest rinsing with a Calendula tincture mixed with water. Heals great! Hope this works for some of you. ( I think it will. )