I have always had trouble with my gums. They have been red and tender to some degree for at least a decade and I have only very limited ability to floss them b/c I have permanent retainers (esp. on the bottom.) In the past few months they have gotten significantly worse even though I brush and floss regularly and eat a very good diet.

Does anyone have experience with this? If so, what did you do and what professional treatments are availible, even above and beyond regular dentist cleaning and stuff? I have an appt. in a few minutes, I hope I can get this cured.

10/31/2005 12:44:56 PM

after I got my braces off, my gums were irritated to the max and the dentist gave me gel to put on my gums that eventually got rid of the inflammation and redness. this was a few years ago, but I'd assume something like this should be available from your dentist if they think it will help.

10/31/2005 12:48:39 PM

I have a lot of problems with the gums on the bottom of my mouth (my mother does to, so I guess it's hereditary). I also have a permanent retainer there. After years of fingernail biting and accidentally hitting my teeth with my fingers, my gums are receding a bit. My dentist said that maybe in the next five years or so I might need a gum graft, but not to worry because they aren't that big of a deal.

10/31/2005 12:56:37 PM

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[Edited on October 31, 2005 at 1:03 PM. Reason : .]

10/31/2005 1:03:25 PM

Try also using a flouride mouthwash after brushing and flossing.

10/31/2005 1:25:15 PM

Use a floss threader or superfloss, which will get under those bonded retainers (I have one too). They can be a bit of a hassle at first but they're not too bad once you make them part of your routine.

I doubt you're flossing correctly--ask the dentist for better instruction. For a long time I would floss but I didn't get deep enough into the gums, so they were still inflamed. My dentist pointed out that I wasn't going deep enough and I corrected it. Now my gums are fine.

10/31/2005 2:31:47 PM

I also have permanent retainers. I use Listerine twice a day. My dentist also gave me these little plastic toothpick things that pretty much do the same thing as flossing, but they are a lot easier to use. (I know that I'm gonna get reamed for this one) but my dentist told me that the more you stimulate your gums, like with floss or the plastic toothpicks, the healthier and less irritated they will be. If Listerine isn't working for ya, then you may want to get a prescription-strength antiseptic mouthwash.

10/31/2005 4:30:28 PM

some vitamin c should help.

10/31/2005 7:47:25 PM

having permanent retainers has to suck!

10/31/2005 10:53:21 PM

thought this was a family guy thread for a second

"these hicks seem to suffer from the gum disease known as GIN GIV ITIS"

tell me im not the only one to have seen this

10/31/2005 11:52:55 PM

you're not the only one to have seen that

11/1/2005 12:25:56 AM

Brush your teeth vigorously, dont rip your gums to pieces but just enough to make them bleed a little, then swish straight peroxide around in your mouth for a little while

I have always been kinda lax with my dental hygiene but when i had to clean things up a bit a couple years back for braces this was what I did...it showed very noticable improvement after only a few days and even the orthodontist was impressed

11/1/2005 1:53:30 AM

If you can't floss very easily then get a waterpik. I had one when I had braces and it worked great. Started using it again recently when I started having some problems with my wisdom teeth (food was getting stuck back there and causing inflamation.

11/1/2005 8:44:36 AM

Quote :

"Brush your teeth vigorously, dont rip your gums to pieces but just enough to make them bleed a little, then swish straight peroxide around in your mouth for a little while"

You do realize that most people already brush too hard right? The most likely problem is that he is flossing incorrectly.

11/1/2005 4:53:36 PM

i had the same problem about a year ago with gingivitis and my gums...i started using listerine daily and it has made a huge difference now they have a pink healthy look instead of the inflamed look they had back then..

11/1/2005 5:16:38 PM

Ok, the difference is unbelievable... He removed the retainers and cleaned my teeth... he gave me that gel and for the FIRST time that I can remember my gums don't bleed when I brush.

As mentioned above, I didn't brush my gums at all b/c I thought that would make the situation worse. He gave me some kind of super-computer electic toothbrush that I don't even really brush with, it does it all, I just move it around and it tells me when to move on. I now brush my gums and in 2 days they are no longer red and they are healing back and don't bleed anymore. I am very pleased.

11/3/2005 11:44:31 AM

Quote :

"He gave me some kind of super-computer electic toothbrush"

Sonicare?

It's sad, but happens quite frequently, that people get poor dental service and then avoid proper dental care - causing their condition to worsen.

11/4/2005 1:06:34 PM

Some kind of really expensive Braun I think.

11/4/2005 3:16:07 PM