gum treatment/periodontal cleaning - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

frosty · #1 03-20-2006, 10:03 PM

anyone had their gums cleaned before? It's a procedure where the dentist uses a scraper-like thing to actually dig down the gum line to the tooth root and scrape/clean the interior gum space. I had one side of my mouth done' it's usually done in quadrants, so four visits to get all the mouth area. It really doesn't hurt except the initial shot to numb the gums--ouch!

I'm getting my teeth and gums cleaned

After getting a toothache and having to go to the dentist and hearing horrible things about what could happen if you don't take care of your teeth, I am now super-duper anal-retentive about brushing, flossing, and keeping my teeth clean!

GermanStar · #2 03-20-2006, 10:08 PM

Just floss once a day -- that's all you gotta do.....

dkveuro · #3 03-20-2006, 10:16 PM

What do you think the people before this new fangled dentistry did ?
The diet we consume has more to do with mouth disorders than anything else.

Sugar ..refined and atificial...is the worst and probably soda the second killer of teeth and gum health...to say nothing of elevated diabeties complications..

With out refined sugar...that is, before the mid 18th century...teeth and gums lasted 80 plus years...witness the Eygptian mummies and others with teeth worn down but perfectly healthy and no cavities......strange thing is....the honey bear is the only wild beast that has reoccuring dental problems.

The animal kingdom seems to do well....fish have cleaning stations admittedly but it seems a simbiotic relationship for the most part although food scraps are removed but it now appears the purpose is mainly to remove parasites.....

And in my book, that is what most dentists are.

.

Brian Carlton · #4 03-20-2006, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

Just floss once a day -- that's all you gotta do.....

This is the biggest fallacy going today.

Flossing once per day is certainly required for dental health. But, as a person who constantly battles gum inflammation, I can tell you that it's insufficient.

For people over 40 years of age, the capability of the pockets to fight inflammation is not as good as when we were younger. Furthermore, the deeper the pocket, the more potential for inflammation and recession of the pockets.

I've fought the battle on a multitude of fronts:

1) Daily flossing.
2) Daily use of clorohexidine.......a chemical which fights the bacteria that form in the pockets.
3) Daily use of hydrogen peroxide to stop the anarobic bacteria from forming in the pockets.
4) Having the teeth cleaned every 90 days, without fail, with the cavitron.

The cavitron is the high pressure water jet that can get all the plaque removed from the pocket, if the pocket is not too deep.

If it is, then the procedure outlined above.......root planing and teeth scaling......in a more involved version.......and much more costly. It's done in quadrants and takes a bit over 90 minutes per quadrant. Fortunately, so far, I've avoided this procedure.

As far as I'm concerned, the behavior of dentists is bodering on malpractice when they simply tell you to come in for a "cleaning" every six months. For most people, it's a guarantee of major periodontal work down the road.

Don't let this happen to you!!

GermanStar · #5 03-20-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

This is the biggest fallacy going today.

Well, it works for most of us.

GermanStar · #6 03-20-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkveuro

What do you think the people before this new fangled dentistry did ?
The diet we consume has more to do with mouth disorders than anything else.

It has everything to do with it. I recall reading a study on a 'lost tribe' in S.A. a while back. These people exclusively consumed fruits, berries, and raw fish (bones and all). Both tooth decay and heart disease were unknown within the tribe.

Brian Carlton · #7 03-20-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

Well, it works for most of us.

The data shows that it does not.

The average person who is 50 years of age has lost 10 of their original teeth.

The general level of tooth maintenance is simply inadequate for most adults as they get older.

In fact, the use of a Water Pik has been recommended to further get the pockets clean.

Brian Carlton · #8 03-20-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkveuro

And in my book, that is what most dentists are.

.

........bad experiences with dentists??

........I've got a few myself. I'm currently negotiating for a refund on a crown because it was done improperly and the dentist is unable/unwilling to fix it. We'll see........

Austin85 · #9 03-20-2006, 11:01 PM

All good advice. Flossing is a great way to keep gums clean if done correctly.
and Staying away from sugar and soda is gonna help alot more than your teeth and gums...

If you're into supplements at all, CoQ 10 is excellent for keeping gums healthy and also good for your heart muscles. Minimum of 100mg per day.

I had laser gum surgery about 6 years ago and if it wasn't for using CoQ10 I know for sure I would have had to go back for it again. (periodontist recommended regular surgery at the time but I wasn't into that so I went with the laser...)

GermanStar · #10 03-21-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The data shows that it does not.

The average person who is 50 years of age has lost 10 of their original teeth.

The general level of tooth maintenance is simply inadequate for most adults as they get older.

In fact, the use of a Water Pik has been recommended to further get the pockets clean.

I don't know what you're putting in you mouth -- maybe it's time to switch to a raw fish and berries diet. I had all kinds of perio problems before I started flossing about 10 - 12 years ago. I have had zero perio problems since and just barely even need cleanings. And the right kind of floss makes a big difference. That thick waxed stuff doesn't work worth a crap. The ultra-flexible blue/white thready stuff works best, at least for me.

Brian Carlton · #11 03-21-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

I don't know what you're putting in you mouth -- maybe it's time to switch to a raw fish and berries diet. I had all kinds of perio problems before I started flossing about 10 - 12 years ago. I have had zero perio problems since and just barely even need cleanings. And the right kind of floss makes a big difference. That thick waxed stuff doesn't work worth a crap. The ultra-flexible blue/white thready stuff works best, at least for me.

I may get to the point where the floss is the only thing required. But, with pocket depths in the 5-7 range, the floss can't easily get down there. So, I've got to attempt to improve the condition of the pockets in the hopes of shrinking them.

What's the depth of your pockets........if you know them?

el presidente · #12 03-21-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkveuro

With out refined sugar...that is, before the mid 18th century...teeth and gums lasted 80 plus years...
.

Didn't George Washington have wooden teeth?

el presidente · #13 03-21-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frosty

anyone had their gums cleaned before? It's a procedure where the dentist uses a scraper-like thing to actually dig down the gum line to the tooth root and scrape/clean the interior gum space. I had one side of my mouth done' it's usually done in quadrants, so four visits to get all the mouth area. It really doesn't hurt except the initial shot to numb the gums--ouch!

I'm getting my teeth and gums cleaned

After getting a toothache and having to go to the dentist and hearing horrible things about what could happen if you don't take care of your teeth, I am now super-duper anal-retentive about brushing, flossing, and keeping my teeth clean!

This procedure was recommended on my first visit to a new dentist some years ago - actually a referral to an in-house periodontist. Of course, insurance wouldn't cover that procedure. Amazingly, it was also recommended to my spouse on her first visit as well later that day.

I went back to my old dentist, even though she dropped my dental plan, and started paying out of pocket. I shared my concerns about depth, etc. on the supposed measurements. Turns out, I was fine! Needlesss to say, I'm still with her.

Some procedures may be recommended to pay for the M5 sitting out in the parking lot.

GermanStar · #14 03-21-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I may get to the point where the floss is the only thing required. But, with pocket depths in the 5-7 range, the floss can't easily get down there. So, I've got to attempt to improve the condition of the pockets in the hopes of shrinking them.

What's the depth of your pockets........if you know them?

Last time it was checked (it's been a few years), all were 2 - 3. It was a very different story before I started flossing.