Preserve Our Essence

[madbaker]

I had a routine dental appointment yesterday. The usual cleaning, and that's all that ever happens - I've never had a cavity, even with baby teeth. My teeth may be yellow, but they're strong. I blame fluoride and having late teeth (I lost my first tooth two or three years late).

However, the dentist told me I'm creeping towards gum problems. He scheduled me for another inspection in a month, and if things haven't improved, we'll talk about gum surgery.

Guess I have to floss better or something.

Comments

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Is that all the information the dentist gave you?

My mother recieved much the same information a few years back -- but the dentist said to get one of those gum stimulators, and use it. That's a little rubbery point, about the size of a chocolate chip, on a stick of whatever kind.

Her gums improved markedly -- she used it idly while watching TV. No surgery needed.

The dentist reported improvement after she started using a power toothbrush, also.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

I've only had four small cavities, but I had a skin graft on my gums when I was twelve. My sympathies.

The Dentist is IN

[gaudete1066.livejournal.com]

If'n your gums have gone "that far" and this is the first mention of it, I'd recommend getting a new dentist, too. That's shameless and inexcusable to not talk gum health routinely with a patient.

I agree on the gum stimulator thingy, but flossing daily is just as huge a part in turning your gumth around. Do both and in a month your dentist will wonder why you're in his chair. If you get an 'lectric toothbrush, get one with a roundy, rotatey head and polish each tooth like they do at the dentist's. It made a HUGE impact on my pearly encasements.

addendumb [sic]

[gaudete1066.livejournal.com]

that is: Polish each tooth at the gumline. Angle the head so it brushes slightly under the edge of the gum, yadda yadda. You'll tighten up the margins in no time.