Baby teeth, lots of 4mm gum pockets

[chabliz]

I am in my late twenties, missed regular dental cleaning (lost insurance) for almost 1.5 years, got my teeth cleaned yesterday and they measured mostly 4mm pockets along all of my molars, some 2/3's up front. I also have 2 k9's on the bottom jaw than have travelled way forward and are about 80% and 50% enclosed by other teeth so, certified by my dentist, impossible to clean effectively at home. Also, I have two baby teeth on the bottom with no adult teeth underneath (the first molar area). I still don't have insurance. My dentist is recommending removing the baby teeth, filling the cavities (of course) and re-aligning my teeth to enable me to clean all my teeth effectively (I brush and floss every day!) and keep my teeth healthy my whole life. But, I don't want to have the teeth extracted- and I don't want to spend a thousands of dollars realigning and then have them fall out. Is there any kind of precedent for this kind of situation? Advice would be great, thanks!

[mammo]

If YOU are happy with your teeth, then do no more than getting the cavities filled. If you can get floss between your teeth, then they can be cleaned thoughly at home. The gums will heal now that you've had a good cleaning, with very thorough oral hygiene.  Don't scrub your gums or teeth when brushing.  Sometimes we think we are brushing thoroughly, but we're not paying close attention to all areas. You are still young, so if at some point you want to correct any of this, you can at any age.  Someone may jump on here and tell you that with the bottom teeth being as they are, your bite is off, and go on and on, but really, you're fine and so long as you are in no pain and happy, don't let this dentist "upsell" you on this.

[Gellia]

I agree with mammo.  

Just because your dentist WANTS to do all these things doesn't mean you HAVE to do them (I had a really great dental assistant tell me that).  You should be able to decide what you want and do not want to do.  After all, you are paying for the service.  Your dentist works for you.  

You do need to keep your teeth very clean.  Pockets that are 4mm are difficult to keep clean at home.  The things I have found what work the best for me (I have a 4 and one 5, before I had treatment they were 5 -7's) to maintain as far as I have achieved is to use dental piks and a water pik in conjunction with my regular brushing.  The water pik really has helped ALOT and the dental piks can clean deep down in the gumline.

As mammo said, if you like your teeth and can do a really good job keeping them clean with good home care and professional cleanings every 3 to 6 months, I'll bet you'll do fine.

How much and how far you dentally go is up to you.

Best to you,
Gellia