25 Year old with periodontitis

So I had gum disease when I was like 16 or something. I didn't understand how serious this problem is until I turned 24. It was a nightmare. My teeth had pockets of between 5mm-8mm. Well, that's obviously servere periodontitis.

I have been taking care of my teeth very very much after I realised how bad my condition was. I brush and floss after every meal, use mouthwash, I use salt and baking soda from time to time as well, I apply it on my tooth paste before brushing, I take calcium and Vit C tablets, I also do not bite on hard food anymore. My condition has improved drastically. No more bleeding, gums are pink and no bad breath. I also go for my three month clean up sessions.

My question is do pocket sizes reduce? Also in order for my condition not to worsen, I would have to do this all my life right, but will my condition still worsen even if I did this all my life? I am a bit worried about pregnancy too. Some pregnant women are affected my gum disease, so is there a chance my teeth will fall out during pregnancy? Since my condition is severe, will this diease ever be cured?

Thanks.. I am just slightly paranoid about my condition!

[Gellia]

Hi,
Welcome to the world of periodontal disease.  I am there with you.  

Pockets can reduce in size.  I had a root scaling and planing done and my pockets went from 4 - 7, down to all 2s, 3s, one 4 and one 5.  NO more 7's.
One of the best things I have found is a water pik.  It has done more good for pocket reduction and really keeps those deeper pockets clean.

There is no "cure" for periodontal disease.  It is something you fight your entire life.  Going for cleanings every three months and using floss are the single most important things you can do.  Treat your gums gently.  Don't scrub your teeth.  The idea is to get the plaque off, not scrub your gums off the tooth surface.  Try singing the alphabet song as you do each quadrant.  That's about the time limit your should be brushing those surfaces.  
Most people go at their teeth like a pit bull and that will only remove enamel.  Something you don't want to do.
Gentle brushing twice daily, flossing and water pik.  Rinse with warm, salt water and you'll see an amazing improvement.  At least I did!

I also did some research into mouthwash.  Listerine WITHOUT alcohol is fine.  Alcohol will only dry your gums (really bad thing!) so don't use the alcohol based mouthwashes.  Actually, according to what I found, the best mouthwash for bacteria control is ACT-Total.  
I don't like the taste so I am just using the salt water.  There is NO way to eradicate bacteria in the mouth.  It's just there and always will be.

All you can do is take care of your teeth.  If you are diligent with flossing, brushing and water pik, the periodontal disease can be arrested.  Prof. cleaning every three months will keep the plaque from accumulating beneath the gumline where brushing doesn't reach.  It will always be something you must "deal" with, though.

Please don't be paranoid, but do be diligent, and take it as it comes.  
There are continuing treatments for periodontal disease and they are improving all the time.  

Hope this helps some!
My very best to you,
Gellia

[cyma123]

Thanks Gellia.

I don't use waterpik, maybe I will buy that. I do see tremendous improvement but I am scared that it may just be on the surface but my teeth are actually dying from the inside. I definitely am not bleeding anymore though.

Will this get worst during pregnancy?

Thanks,
Seema

[Gellia]

Definitely get the water pik!  Mine is hand held Panasonic that works great and was under $30.  It has made more difference in my periodontal disease than anything.
I had to have root planing and scaling also.  My pockets were all 4's through 7's when I started.

After the RP&S, I started with the water pik and flossing.  Those two things reduced my pockets to one 5 and all the rest 1, 2 and 3's.  It does work!  My periodontist was very surprised.  He had been pushing gum surgery (shudder!).  

I am very diligent with my home care and go for a professional cleaning every three months now.
You can arrest periodontal disease, but you can't "cure" it.  It's an ongoing battle that has to be fought on a daily basis.  You can't forget it just because it is a "silent disease" either.  I tried and I lost 4 teeth.  

Please use me as an example of what NOT to do,  and then what to do after.
Ask your dentist to show you the best way to brush and floss.  Then, do it every day without fail, and use that water pik.  I do not plan on going this path again and take very good care of my teeth now.

You can win the battle but you must stay in the war!
My very best to you!
Gellia

[cyma123]

Thanks Gellia:) I shall get hold of the waterpik:)

[Gellia]

I think you'll be happy with the result and if you are diligent in your oral hygiene you should be able to arrest the periodontal disease where it is (won't get worse).

GOOD LUCK!!
My very best to you,
G

[cyma123]

One last question:

What about food, can I eat anything? Should I stop eating anything?

Thanks,
Seema

[lychee8899]

Hi,
I just read your comments. I don't know if I periodontal disease yet, as the only bleeding problem I have now is around the root canaled tooth.  But, I know I have receding gum issue because of my past incorrect brushing technique.  Will try out your ideas on rinsing with salt water and waterpik.  I didn't really understand about the pocket size you described about.

[lychee8899]

Forgot to ask, you avoided getting gum surgery?

[Gellia]

Yes, so far I have avoided gum surgery.  I work very hard at my oral hygiene now, too.
I REALLY want to avoid that surgery!!

To Lychee -  the pockets form when tarter becomes plaque and pushes below the gum line.  The more tarter that gets down there, the larger and deeper the pockets become and the bacteria starts to attack the ligament and bone.  The tarter will actually separate the gum from the tooth and then the gum shrinks back.
That's the recession you are experiencing.  You can also so this if you brush your teeth too hard and pull the gum away from the tooth surface.

The easiest way to think of it is that the harder you brush, the more enamel you remove.   You have to be gentle with your teeth and gums.  Plaque is sticky.  Using a "jiggling" motion to clean your teeth and the length of time you brush is more important that how hard you brush.  Also, try holding your toothbrush like you would a pen.  This allows for a lighter hand.

It should take at least two to three minutes to brush your teeth.  Most people do the back of the front lower teeth last and they accumulate the most tarter.  They should be started first.  Remember, you're not scrubbing your gums, you're brushing the plaque from the surface of your teeth.  Be gentle.

If you brush, two to three minutes, two or three times a day (plaque accumulates in about 12 hours), use floss (VERY important) and a water pik and those pockets can reduce in size.

Your dental health will improve dramatically, too.

As for eating anything.  Personally, I have found that chocolate makes my teeth "humm" but rinsing with water right after helps.  I simply can't give up chocolate!!
I think if you rinse or brush after you eat, you'll be fine.

My best to you in the battle!  Hang in there.  It's a fightable cause.

Gellia

[Heatherletha]

Hi I'm 25 and was just told I have this as well. I had 2 7 mm pockets and a the rest range from 3-6 mm. How long does it take for the r and p to work? I got it done a month ago and I have to do it again next month. I has some slightly loose teeth also my front teeth shifted and now I have a small gap:(  I am sooo scared of losing my teeth so young. Someone please help

[Heatherletha]

How long does it generally take for the deep cleaning and home care to decrease pocket size

[Gellia]

Hi!
You won't see the full results for about a year.  Your periodontist will take pocket readings every so often when you go for cleanings.  The cleanings are really important.

After I had my R&P I've worked hard to keep my teeth clean.  I have maintained the final pocket depths that went from 7's to 4's and 5's.  Still have the one 5!  My teeth shifted too, and went crooked in the bottom.  

My initial problem did cause me to loose my top front four teeth which I had replaced with implants and crowns.  It was a lengthy process but I am quite pleased with the final results and have had the implants for about four years now.

Keep doing the twice a day brushing and daily flossing (I found the flossing was most important) and then a water pik at least once daily.  I had stopped for awhile and found that was a mistake so it's back to the pik.

I have also managed to avoid any other treatment except my every three months cleaning.

GOOD LUCK!  Let us know how you do.  It's a life long battle but you can maintain.

Best to you,
Gellia

[Heatherletha]

Thanks for responding. Will my gums recede a whole lot more after they heal??

[Ashlee110]

Hi, my name is ashlee lavelle. i am a 23 year old mother with a two year old. ever since i gave birth i have had problems with my gums. I have pockets in btween a few of my front teeth, and im not exact on how larg they are because my appointment to see the dentist is next week. They ar large enough to make me self consious. My question to you after reading all of this, is do you think the disease can diminish enough to allow for your teeth to go back to looking normal? even at an advanced stage?

[Gellia]

Hi again,
To Heatherletha.  Your gums will recede.  There isn't anything you can do about it.  It happens as we age and it happens when periodontal disease is present.  As the pockets reduce in size the gum has to shrink.  That's what makes them smaller, but in order to do that, the gum does recede some.
I actually didn't notice it all the much.

To Ashlee110
It sounds like what you are describing is a "black triangle" from gum recession.  This happens when the gum has receded enough to expose the "waist" of the tooth.  Nothing will change that except cosmetic dentistry in the form of crowns, veneers or bonding.  But, you can keep it from getting worse by keeping the dental pockets small and a very good home oral hygiene program.
If they are so large that they bother you, speak to your dentist about bonding or another cosmetic treatment tailored for you.  Much can be done for them, but they won't go away.

GOOD LUCK, both of you and if I can help further, please ask.
My very best to you both,
Gellia

[Ashlee110]

I kind of figured as much. They aren't very large one however is larger than the other two. Thankyou very much for taking the time to listen and respond. A smile is very important to a woman. and it's bothering me extremeley. I now will just have to take the necessary steps to fix them. i have a dentist appointment next week. i can post to keep in touch with anyone else who would like professional guidance while i will have it in my grasp. ;) again, thankyou very much.

[Heatherletha]

i have 5 mm pockets in my front teeth and they are mobile.Will the dentist extract them??

[Gellia]

Don't wiggle them!  It's possible they may still tighten.  It took my bottom teeth a very long time to finally tighten up.  If they only move from front to back they have a very good chance of tightening.  If they move from side to side, the chance is lessened, but not impossible.  

Don't panic if extraction is recommended.  I had my top front four removed.
There are numerous things you can do if that happens.

I did have implants, but I used a removable metal partial while they healed and the teeth were gorgeous.  I didn't mind it at all.
I love my implants, too.

I think your goal is to try and save your teeth.  I had bone loss of 70% in one tooth and 50% in the next.  Because the two lateral teeth on either side had started to twist sideways from bone loss already, I had those out and implants for them also.  My canine teeth had good bone so I was able to arrest my periodontal disease there.

Cleanings every three months have been all that I have needed since, so far.  

See what your dentist says, continue a very good oral hygiene program at home and go from there.  Almost all dental processes tend to be lengthy.

GOOD LUCK.
My best to you,
Gellia

[Heatherletha]

Thanks! How large we're your front teeth pockets? I now how a gap in my front teeth will I be able to get braces if I save the teeth? If not can I get binding?

[Ashlee110]

just some words of encouragement...i have posted abut my problems above and i just want to stop to say something... Teeth are teeth. i went around and around with tears ad fears and still come to the same conclusion. They are fixable... there is no need to be stressed. Beauty is in your heart. thats what akes you who you are. These are merely little bumps and grooves in the road of life. Good luck to all and i wish you all the best. dont let your confidence struggle.. Brush, brush, brush, floss, floss, floss! :) #U R NOT ALONE <3

[Heatherletha]

I thought I would update everyone. My periodontist did a reval on me today. I only have 2 4 mm pockets and 1 5 mm pocket:) it is possible to keep the problem under control.

[roxjey]

Hi,

I'm so glad I found this community page...I went to the dentist today and found out that I have one 8mm pocket (my front tooth, out of all) and the rest are between 3-5. I'm also going to have to get a crown on a tooth which has a crack in it. I've had bleeding gums for well over a year, but I had actually gone to the dentist for other reasons; root canals etc...when I asked about my gums, I was just told to floss and brush my teeth more often! Now it has advanced to this...

Oh,and also, I am only 23 years old :( It does literally feel horrible finding out about something like this.But it did help to read your comments. I am definitely going to have to make sure to get dental insurance and be more diligent with my teeth.

[roxjey]

How are you keeping it under control? Do you have any recommendations?

Also,you mentioned a slightly loose tooth..I have this as well (that front one), has it got any better or stayed the same since you found out?

thanks

[kya317]

I cant believe this im so upset! im 24 and have been living in london  for 6 months now. I moved over in may from australia and that was when i had my last scale and clean and i had mild gum disease......i went for a check up the other day and was told i have this f***n chronic periodontis! im so damn scared and its all i can think about now. hy the hell has this happened to me at such a young age. im in the process now of making an appointment with a specialist!

[kya317]

also worried about the fact that this disease contributes to heart attacks and stoke.

Gellia - thankyou for all this information you have been great and seem very knowledgable. If you dont mind me asking, how old are you? Will the condition continue to worsen no matter how much we all take care o our teeh?

[Heatherletha]

I have been doing several things but some are kind of strange but work for me. I bought a sonicare tooth brush, floss twice a day and use my water pik. I rinse with gengigel ( available in the uk) I also did some research and found a lot about cq10. I would bust open a 100 mg capsule and brush my teeth with it. It's an ugly orange color but I swear by it! I also take calcium and vitamin c supplements. My periodontist said he hadn't seen such a drastic improvement in someone in a really long time. Good luck and don't give up. My gap In my front teeth closed as well :) keep working hard

[AnnaIce]

So glad I'm not alone. I thought I was the only person in their 20's going though this. I'm so scared about loosing my teeth. :< But I know I have a receding gum line due to poor brushing. Does anyone recommend the sonicares open to the public or should I buy the one from my dental office?  

[jstrickland304]

I am 21, and I have an appt. in 3 days to get my gums checked. I have already been told I have this problem as well. My gums hurt ALL the time, very red, swollen, bleed easily, and receeding. Specialling front bottom teeth. I am scared but have been brushin twice a day, using mouth wash, and flossing trying to help it, the pain is still just as bad though and my teeth are actually starting to hurt. :(

[kellycats68]

I am 45 have diabetes and heart troubles and am disabled. I have Medicare but NO dental insurance whatsoever. I have no disposable income that I could pay any dentist. I have this disease too but no way to see a doctor. :(