Burning Gums

[tommyboy427]

I have smoked a pack a day until Nov 08. When I was drinking and smoking, the next day I could feel pain where my wisdom teeth used to be. My dentist said I was burning th gums with the heat of the cigarette. I tried over & over to quit over the years. In Nov, I noticed more pain, and my gums in the back stopped healing, and every cigarette hurt the area...a burning feeling. I quit smoking right away. It's been 3 months and I can still feel the burnt stinging in my gums behind the molars. I have seen my dentist, an ENT, Oral Surgeon, and my general doctor. They all tell me it's pain from TMJ, a jaw problem. I know they are wrong...my gums will not heal, they are very sensative to heat and cold. It's that same burning feeling. How can I get them to heal? I am also getting pain in my ears from th irritation.
T

[Jade59]

Hi Tommy,

First, congrats on your quit!  

Second, I drove my dentist crazy with one complaint after another about my gums/teeth hurting.  He kept encouraging me to see a TMJ specialist, but I KNEW he was wrong and wouldn't believe it had anything to do with my jaw.  Finally, dentist said he wouldn't do anymore work until I went to the specialist.  Guess what?  It did turn out to be tension in my jaw!  The tension is radiating from my shoulders and neck to the jaw and it is causing havoc!  

You would not believe the crazy symptoms that can result from jaw problems.  Do you have a nightguard?  A nightguard can do wonders.  You would be amazed!  I certainly was.  

Oh, and try something like Sensodyne and see if that makes any difference.  That stuff will have a numbing effect.  As Kathy Jo pointed out, injuries in the mouth can take a long time to heal.  When you brush, be real careful to avoid that back gum area as much as possible.  Maybe the bristles are keeping your back gums enflamed?  

Hope this is helpful....

[kathyjo]

Hi T,
Congrats on your quit!
I'm afraid I can't be a help here other then to tell you that you should try another doctor/specialist and explain it the way you did here and see if there is a professional out there that can help you!
I know and it makes sense that it would take longer to heal when it comes to the mouth as it is always moist. You may need to see an oral surgeon.
Don't give up hope though and make sure you stay quit : )
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Kathy Jo