Can you stop receding gums getting worse?

[CoolHands]

I don’t drink or smoke and already have a decent diet, which is what general searches seem to return. I brush my teeth quite well not too hard etc but still it is gradually getting worse. I think it must be genetic. But then how do hollywood types all have perfect gums? I know they get veneers but I can’t see how they can have good gums when there doesn’t seem to be any actual treatment?

[av185]

Electric toothbrush and regular flossing/interdental brushes is a good start.

[CoolHands]

Yeah the problem is it’s on the ‘face’ of the tooth if you know what I mean. I do floss and in between teeth isn’t the problem. I think it’s hereditary! Bloody dad!

I might break out the electric toothbrush though, I must admit after a few months I always return to a normal toothbrush for some reason.

[NorthDave]

I spent top dollar on an Oral B toothbrush (about £150) which is excellent and then follow up with Listerine gum care. Since doing that my dentist said my gums look much better. Worth a try!

Edited by NorthDave on Monday 16th December 13:16

[popeyewhite]

I know it's beyond radical but have you sought the advice of a dentist/dental hygienist?

Gum disease is usually curable as far as I know.

[Hedgeman]

Get a referral to a periodontist for a deep under-gum clean. Not cheap, cost me about £1400 for an initial consultation and then 2 treatment sessions.

Then, religious use of the correct size interdental brushes.

You can't reverse the effects to date of receding gums, but this can stop it getting worse.

[av185]

A decent water flosser is worth investing in.

[popeyewhite]

Hedgeman said:

You can't reverse the effects to date of receding gums

You can actually. Particularly if caused by smoking and/or poor oral hygiene.

[mooseracer]

popeyewhite said:

Hedgeman said:

You can't reverse the effects to date of receding gums

You can actually. Particularly if caused by smoking and/or poor oral hygiene.

erm, not what my dentist, hygenist and everyone's favourite the internet tell me?

[popeyewhite]

mooseracer said:

popeyewhite said:

Hedgeman said:

You can't reverse the effects to date of receding gums

You can actually. Particularly if caused by smoking and/or poor oral hygiene.

erm, not what my dentist, hygenist and everyone's favourite the internet tell me?

Either you asked the wrong question or got the wrong answer or you weren't listening. Gum disease from smoking can be reversed if caught early enough and prompt action taken, similarly gum disease from poor oral hygiene. Obvs if you've already lost your teeth dental recovery will be that bit more complicated.

[jmn]

My Dentist is entirely certain that gum recession, caught at a relatively early stage, can be reversed.

An Electric Toothbrush and Interdental Brushes are a great help with this.

[OverHonda]

CoolHands said:

Yeah the problem is it’s on the ‘face’ of the tooth if you know what I mean. I do floss and in between teeth isn’t the problem. I think it’s hereditary! Bloody dad!

I might break out the electric toothbrush though, I must admit after a few months I always return to a normal toothbrush for some reason.

A vote here for moving to an electric toothbrush. Like you I shied away from them, but when I moved to a new dentist they had a word, and I gave it a try. Oral-B iO6 was what I went for, doesn't always charge as well as it should, but significant improvement in cleaning effect. It's the small brush that allows you to get in to the nooks and crannies that a old fashioned steam powered toothbrush simply will not sort. 2m30 per brushing session, once in morning, once at night.

Next is the interdental picks - get your dentist/hygienist to tell you which ones you need - will depend on the gaps - might be one, might be several different sizes. I do this once a day in the evening, before brushing, though if I'm knackered may give this part a miss. Takes under a minute.

I also tried a water flosser, and still use it in the evenings. Maybe 1m. Not sure how much it brings to the party when added to the rest, but I'm keen to keep the teeth I have, rather than going through the expense and pain my brother had when getting implants...

So at night my order is:
brief mouthwash while I get the rest in place
interdental picks
water flosser
brush teeth with electric toothbrush - and, this is critical, do not immediately rinse mouth - leave as long as you can, for added fluoride to settle in.

Tried this routine for 6 months, dentist noticed a significant reduction in gum inflammation at my next checkup - and reduced inflammation is the first step in "not getting worse"

[mooseracer]

popeyewhite said:

mooseracer said:

popeyewhite said:

Hedgeman said:

You can't reverse the effects to date of receding gums

You can actually. Particularly if caused by smoking and/or poor oral hygiene.

erm, not what my dentist, hygenist and everyone's favourite the internet tell me?

Either you asked the wrong question or got the wrong answer or you weren't listening. Gum disease from smoking can be reversed if caught early enough and prompt action taken, similarly gum disease from poor oral hygiene. Obvs if you've already lost your teeth dental recovery will be that bit more complicated.

at the last sentence

Ah, yeah, caught early enough will have been my issue.

[CoolHands]

Cheers, I’m going to buy that Oral-B iO6 can get them for £99 at the mo. I just dug out my old one it runs off 2 as batteries and seems very slow! So I will power up.

[Dbag101]

You can. Make regular appointments with a decent hygienist, and ( unless you have a medical condition) they will almost certainly be able to sort most issues.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Dbag101 said:

You can. Make regular appointments with a decent hygienist, and ( unless you have a medical condition) they will almost certainly be able to sort most issues.

One of the most important things you can do to look after your teeth.