# The Dentist. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815 "2004-11-03T18:53:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/41 "2012-05-02T14:40:11Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Anyone have, or have any opinion on, gum graft surgery? My dentist is pushing hard for me to have it in one area where the gums have receded. Insurance will pay for most of it (leaving a $300 or so deductible), but I’ve been stalling because I’m not really anxious to get it done. Don’t want to deal with the pain, recovery time, and inability to eat solid foods for a while unless it’s really necessary, and I’m not completely convinced it is. How much are you hurting now? I have a spot where the gums have receded, and it only really bothers me when the dentist is cleaning my teeth. She’s never suggested this for me, but maybe my spot isn’t big enough. In general, my attitude toward dental work or oral surgery is that i’m really reluctant going in, but really grateful afterward. If it’s not a big problem, then don’t sweat it, but if it’s serious, I don’t think it’s a good idea to let short-term pain dissuade you from something that will provide long-term relief. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m pretty resistant to their upselling, though… I did eventually get (and continue to use) a night guard, but it took about three years to talk me into it. How does that work? Does this guy just sit there in your bedroom while you sleep? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/42 "2012-05-02T15:04:58Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > How much are you hurting now? I have a spot where the gums have receded, and it only really bothers me when the dentist is cleaning my teeth. She’s never suggested this for me, but maybe my spot isn’t big enough. It doesn’t hurt at all, actually. Just have a spot in front where the gums receded—from brushing too hard, it is accused— and the root is (barely) exposed. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/43 "2012-05-02T16:12:13Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Anyone have, or have any opinion on, gum graft surgery? My dentist is pushing hard for me to have it in one area where the gums have receded. Insurance will pay for most of it (leaving a $300 or so deductible), but I’ve been stalling because I’m not really anxious to get it done. Don’t want to deal with the pain, recovery time, and inability to eat solid foods for a while unless it’s really necessary, and I’m not completely convinced it is. I can say without any exaggeration at all that it was one of the worst experiences of my life\*, but I also had a total douche of a gum surgeon who claimed that Advil would be plenty to help with the pain. But, man, that is one experience I hope to never repeat. \*For the sake of comparison, let me point out that I have been through labor and childbirth twice, had acute appendicitis and an emergency appendectomy, and a fractured tibia. So, it’s not like I’ve never known pain. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/44 "2012-05-02T16:56:30Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I can say without any exaggeration at all that it was one of the worst experiences of my life\*, but I also had a total douche of a gum surgeon who claimed that Advil would be plenty to help with the pain. My dentist indicated they’d give me pain meds, but the more I learn about it the less hurried I am to undergo the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/45 "2012-05-02T17:19:59Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It doesn’t hurt at all, actually. Just have a spot in front where the gums receded—from brushing too hard, it is accused— and the root is (barely) exposed. I’ve had a couple spots on my lower gums that receded in my 20’s due to my own neglect. Almost 30 years later no problems have arisen from them, but then, I am now fanatical about regular cleanings and good dental hygiene. Receding gums _can_ lead to problems, but whether you’d rather have gum surgery to restore them or just keep up with your dental hygiene is your choice. I’d advise you do one or the other, though, rather than do nothing going forward. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/46 "2012-05-02T17:32:52Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > My dentist indicated they’d give me pain meds, but the more I learn about it the less hurried I am to undergo the procedure. Yeah, I felt the same way when my doctor suggested foreskin restoration. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815/47 "2012-05-02T23:29:50Z")
The pain meds I got when I had my wisdom teeth removed were much better than the ones I got for the gum graft. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dentist/272815.md?page=2)