Has anyone had serious gum disease successfully treated (maybe even saved some teeth?

[LG Gone Wild]

Dh has hereditary gingivitis and he's been decent with caring for his teeth but now I think he is perilously closing to losing his molars. His mother and uncle have struggled with their teeth and have lost quite of few.

 

What can we do?

[Starr]

What does the dentist, periodontist say? Do they think skin grafting will help?

[LG Gone Wild]

We haven't got that far. DH was seeing a reg. dentist but that dr. didn't think much could be done.

 

I am hoping there is more hope.

[Starr]

Here's to hoping! Make an appt and see what's up. Otherwise people do well with partials and he can have a specialist follow the rest of his teeth. I'm sorry, you'd think the dentist would have said something long ago.

[Harriet Vane]

Definitely see a specialist. It's worth it to get another opinion in hopes of saving the teeth.

 

My situation is not nearly as serious as yours, but I did have gum disease with receding gums. The receding cannot be reversed, so at some point I will likely need grafting. However, the gum disease was addressed with use of Sensodyne toothpaste, daily flossing, and daily rinsing with Biotene. My understanding is that there are also prescription mouthwashes that can be effective.

[gingersmom]

My mother has seen a periodontist for at least 20 years. She used to go monthly but now she is down to twice a year.

 

She also had 1-2 gum surgeries.

 

I would definitely see a periodontist.

[SweetMissMagnolia]

had the gum grafting done about 2-3 yrs ago (can't remember)---I have bad receeding gums--can't really tell it did anything-was supposed to go back to have it done on the rest of my problem areas but haven't and probably won't unless I have problems....the recovery was just too much for me (using my own gum tissue) for it not to show a bigger difference....I think a sister had it done but not sure how her procedure done...

[specialmama]

had the gum grafting done about 2-3 yrs ago (can't remember)---I have bad receeding gums--can't really tell it did anything-was supposed to go back to have it done on the rest of my problem areas but haven't and probably won't unless I have problems....the recovery was just too much for me (using my own gum tissue) for it not to show a bigger difference....I think a sister had it done but not sure how her procedure done...

 

I've heard that gum grafting is HORRIBLE... I'm likely going to need it done and I'm a little freaked out about it...

[KidsHappen]

Has he tried serious flossing and cleaning with a water pick or any-inflamatory, anti-bioyic shots? Years ago, my gums were measuring 4 and 5 on the thing that measures depth of the thing that goes between teeth and gums. Because of family heart disease, my dentist scaled my teeth, gave me shots of anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics and then told me to floss several times a day, use a water pick and an electric toothbrush. I did all of this and changed to baking soda. I now have no spaces, no tartar or plaque and no signs or gum disease. Plus my teeth are so clean that they barely have to clean them at all. I would definitely try all of those things first.

[jld]

About ten years ago I read a book called How to Save Your Teeth. The author advocates brushing with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and salt. It has stabilized my gum disease, though I still have the receding gums. I'm seeing a periodontist next week, and I bet I'll spend my 40s getting gum surgeries. :eek: :ack2: :crying:

[ktgrok]

odd thing, but something that happened to me. I was getting badly swollen gums, with bleeding and soreness. I was really getting worried. Long story short, it turned out it was from the generic dental floss I was using. I have no idea why. But as soon as I switched to a name brand floss the swelling, redness, and bleeding went away.

[idnib]

I have had great success with the ayurvedic tradition of oil pulling. A good quality oil is all you need. It works really well.

[LG Gone Wild]

Has he tried serious flossing and cleaning with a water pick or any-inflamatory, anti-bioyic shots? Years ago, my gums were measuring 4 and 5 on the thing that measures depth of the thing that goes between teeth and gums. Because of family heart disease, my dentist scaled my teeth, gave me shots of anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics and then told me to floss several times a day, use a water pick and an electric toothbrush. I did all of this and changed to baking soda. I now have no spaces, no tartar or plaque and no signs or gum disease. Plus my teeth are so clean that they barely have to clean them at all. I would definitely try all of those things first.

 

 

That's encouraging. That might work for me. Dh's gums in the back are really far gone. I was really freaked out when he showed me. I mean, flesh is gone!

[skirch]

I feel for him. I am also dealing with hereditary gum disease and have been seeing a periodontist twice a year for several years as well as my regular dentist. I alternate every 3 months. A few years ago I had bone grafting done on my right side as my jaw bone is deteriorating. I did lose a couple of molars to the surgery but they were replaced with implants. I am now having issues with my left side - even with meticulous home care and seeing the dentist and periodontist every 3 months - and am facing another bone graft and implants. Honestly, I'm ready to just have everything pulled and get dentures at this point and just be done with it.

[petepie2]

I would definitely get to a periodontist. I started seeing one when I was pregnant with my first child. Pregnancy sent my gingivitis into overdrive. I had scaling and root planing done, as well as a gum graft at my lower front teeth. (BTW, the gum graft wasn't really that bad. It wasn't with my own gum tissue, but with AlloDerm. A little soreness, but that's about it.) Since then I've been pregnant or nursing for the past six years and my gums are still somewhat red and sensitive due to hormones. However, it's all being controlled by good brushing/flossing and rotating between my regular dentist and my periodontist every 3 months.

[HootyTooty]

That's encouraging. That might work for me. Dh's gums in the back are really far gone. I was really freaked out when he showed me. I mean, flesh is gone!

I will :iagree:. I had deep pockets. I now floss everyday and do a rinse with peroxide (2:1) and I have been told my pockets are getting smaller.

[love2read]

Yes, my husband's parents did not take care of his teeth when he was younger and he had advanced gingivitis with most of his teeth lose by the time we met. This was 20 years ago. I read about a method in Reader's Digest that involved making a paste of baking soda and peroxide and packing it around the gums after brushing. The paste stayed there for a few minutes and was rinsed. This was done at least twice a day and it killed the bacteria that caused gingivitis. Dh did this on his own and saw immediate improvement. We then found a dentist online who used the method (can't remember the name, sorry) and he did related treatments and instructed dh is using a water pic. It was too late for a few molars, but otherwise everything tightened up and he didn't need the surgery.

[jld]

Yes, my husband's parents did not take care of his teeth when he was younger and he had advanced gingivitis with most of his teeth lose by the time we met. This was 20 years ago. I read about a method in Reader's Digest that involved making a paste of baking soda and peroxide and packing it around the gums after brushing. The paste stayed there for a few minutes and was rinsed. This was done at least twice a day and it killed the bacteria that caused gingivitis. Dh did this on his own and saw immediate improvement. We then found a dentist online who used the method (can't remember the name, sorry) and he did related treatments and instructed dh is using a water pic. It was too late for a few molars, but otherwise everything tightened up and he didn't need the surgery.

 

Was it Ray Behm? I bought the book from his office, and the method is about the same (includes salt, too).

 

It's too bad more people don't know about this. I was using an expensive rinse from my dentist, to no avail, before finding this inexpensive, effective method. My dentist doesn't trust it, though he acknowledges the improvement in my gums.

[LG Gone Wild]

Yes, my husband's parents did not take care of his teeth when he was younger and he had advanced gingivitis with most of his teeth lose by the time we met. This was 20 years ago. I read about a method in Reader's Digest that involved making a paste of baking soda and peroxide and packing it around the gums after brushing. The paste stayed there for a few minutes and was rinsed. This was done at least twice a day and it killed the bacteria that caused gingivitis. Dh did this on his own and saw immediate improvement. We then found a dentist online who used the method (can't remember the name, sorry) and he did related treatments and instructed dh is using a water pic. It was too late for a few molars, but otherwise everything tightened up and he didn't need the surgery.

 

I'll recommend this to him. He'll probably need surgery of some sort. I'll make dh an appt. a couple of weeks from now.

[Julie in AZ]

My dentist told me about a conference he attended in which research was presented to show the great results of using a water pick with a drop or two of bleach (reguluar, unscented) in the water for gum issues. I started right away and haven't had any problems with my gums in years. Just another idea to try to prevent future problems.

[Prairie~Phlox]

so for those of you who use a water pick, do you have recommendations? I floss several times a day, and asked before if one would be good, the hygentist didn't think it really made much of a difference. I just have early signs of gum disease at this point and am just trying to prevent things from getting worse. I do use a prescription toothpaste in the evening.

[Halftime Hope]

I have had great success with the ayurvedic tradition of oil pulling. A good quality oil is all you need. It works really well.

 

If you don't mind, could you give specifics (before and after) and *how* you do it?

 

TIA!

[mom2abcd]

so for those of you who use a water pick, do you have recommendations? .

 

:lurk5:

 

Mine stinks. I thought about putting baking soda in it. The bleach idea sounds good, too. It's a weird design-- the inside of the Water Pik can't really dry and is probably harboring bacteria!

[KidsHappen]

That's encouraging. That might work for me. Dh's gums in the back are really far gone. I was really freaked out when he showed me. I mean, flesh is gone!

 

 

:001_huh: Oh no. I would recommend going to a periodontist. I hope they can help him.

[idnib]

If you don't mind, could you give specifics (before and after) and *how* you do it?

 

TIA!

 

I follow this method exactly:

 

http://oilpulling.com/oilpullingmethod.htm

 

I have gotten the best results using Spectrum brand sesame oil. My gums were so much better--I went from having rather big pockets to having gums that stopped receding and adhered well to my teeth. Now all my pockets are 1s except one 2. I used to have several 4s, many 3s, and even a 5.

[mom2abcd]

I follow this method exactly:

 

http://oilpulling.com/oilpullingmethod.htm

 

I have gotten the best results using Spectrum brand sesame oil. My gums were so much better--I went from having rather big pockets to having gums that stopped receding and adhered well to my teeth. Now all my pockets are 1s except one 2. I used to have several 4s, many 3s, and even a 5.

 

That's great! Do you floss or use a Water Pik or just use the oil pulling?

[mom2abcd]

I follow this method exactly:

 

http://oilpulling.com/oilpullingmethod.htm

 

I have gotten the best results using Spectrum brand sesame oil. My gums were so much better--I went from having rather big pockets to having gums that stopped receding and adhered well to my teeth. Now all my pockets are 1s except one 2. I used to have several 4s, many 3s, and even a 5.

 

Refined or unrefined? Does it matter? Do you buy it online?

[Julie in AZ]

so for those of you who use a water pick, do you have recommendations?

 

My dentist recommends the WaterPik brand with the large container, not the small handheld kind.

[Prairie~Phlox]

I follow this method exactly:

 

http://oilpulling.com/oilpullingmethod.htm

 

I have gotten the best results using Spectrum brand sesame oil. My gums were so much better--I went from having rather big pockets to having gums that stopped receding and adhered well to my teeth. Now all my pockets are 1s except one 2. I used to have several 4s, many 3s, and even a 5.

 

 

So you do this everyday for 20 minutes?

[idnib]

That's great! Do you floss or use a Water Pik or just use the oil pulling?

 

I sometimes floss but only if there's food stuck in my teeth (sorry if TMI).

 

The oil basically gets in between all the teeth and the bacteria and plaque get caught up in it. After spitting it out, rinsing, and brushing my teeth feel very clean.

[idnib]

Refined or unrefined? Does it matter? Do you buy it online?

 

I'm not sure if it matters but I use refined. I buy it at the local health food store but it's probably at many large groceries.

 

Sorry for the single messages. I'm not sure how to multi-quote.

[idnib]

So you do this everyday for 20 minutes?

 

Yes, when I'm doing it. I usually check my email and surf the web while I do it. My dad (who's saved his loose tooth with oil pulling) likes to walk around and get some exercise. My mom sits on the couch and reads.

 

I tend to fall away from it for a couple of months and then get back on it. I do that with a couple of others things as well, like exercise and dry skin brushing as well. :)

[Liz CA]

How do you use the baking soda? Mix it together with water yourself or buy paste with baking soda?

[mom2abcd]

I'm not sure if it matters but I use refined. I buy it at the local health food store but it's probably at many large groceries.

 

Sorry for the single messages. I'm not sure how to multi-quote.

 

Thanks!

 

No worries. I don't know how to multi-quote either.

[love2read]

It is called the Keyes Method. I've been trying to remember and it only just clicked this morning.

http://www.drpaulhkeyes.com/method.html

[cjbeach]

I've had some success with just brushing with peroxide but will be starting Closys.

I started all of us on the Dr Ellie's system and have found some small success... especially with my kids' teeth for cavity prevention. She recommends Closys for the gums so that's my next step. I think her blog (in the link) has some recommendations as well.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Yes, when I'm doing it. I usually check my email and surf the web while I do it. My dad (who's saved his loose tooth with oil pulling) likes to walk around and get some exercise. My mom sits on the couch and reads.

 

I tend to fall away from it for a couple of months and then get back on it. I do that with a couple of others things as well, like exercise and dry skin brushing as well. :)

 

What is dry skin brushing and what is it used for?

[idnib]

You take a skin brush like the ones you can find with long wooden handles and natural bristles. You brush your skin while it's dry. You always brush in the direction of the heart and brush lightly. After skin brushing you can just rinse off if you have time.

 

It helps move lymph and keeps the skin nice and clear. Since I've done it I have much smoother skin with a glow, and I no longer get the ingrown hairs I would sometimes get, nor the dry skin. Basically the skin is an organ of elimination and keeping the pores clear makes it more efficient.

 

You can google "dry skin brushing" for more info and typical patterns of brushing on the body. It feels really good too, if you don't rub too hard. :)

[LG Gone Wild]

I've had some success with just brushing with peroxide but will be starting Closys.

I started all of us on the Dr Ellie's system and have found some small success... especially with my kids' teeth for cavity prevention. She recommends Closys for the gums so that's my next step. I think her blog (in the link) has some recommendations as well.

 

 

oooh! v. interesting