I’ve neglected my oral health all my life but have been increasingly concerned with my obviously receeding gums the last couple years.
Recent news reports indicate that gum disease is often a factor in way more serious health problems (read: heart attack and stroke).
All that coupled with another news report on the success of orbital tooth brushes caused me to rush out and get one.
I like it! Got it sitting right on my desk in front of me and have used it lots, I feel like an addict. Gonna have to re-supply the snacks so that I have another opportunity to get my brush fix.
My burning question though is: will my gums grow back to those of my youth or should I just be resigned to saving what I have left?
I guess I should also ask: is there any possibility of wearing out your teeth or gums with too much orbital brushing?
I doubt receding gums CAUSE heart attack/stroke, but the diet and habits that promote one tend to promote the other two. And if you’re afraid of harsh brushing on what little gummage you have left, switch to a softer bristle.
I have had gum problems all my life (thanks, Mom). When I got married and started going to Mr. S’s dentist, after not having seen one during my six years of college, he put me on a rigorous gum treatment program. When we started, my “pockets” (the gaps between teeth and gums) were measured, on a scale of 1 to 5; they want to see all 3’s or less, but I had a few 3’s, lots of 4’s, and a few 5s’. I had my roots planed (to smooth off the tooth surface and allow the gums to connect better), and I still go for cleaning every 3 months. Last time my pockets were measured, I had only a few higher than 3.
bare, get thee to a good dentist or periodontist! All is not lost.
“…Teeth that would have been lost only five years ago can be saved today. Breakthroughs and refinements in gum care like bone implants, guided tissue regeneration, and cosmetic gum grafting not only control gum disease, but in many cases can reverse the damage it has done. Eroded gum lines and receding gums can be restored. Weakened gums can be strengthened. Teeth can be saved…”
(search = +reverse +“receding gums”)
I recall reading several years ago of an experimental treatment that did in fact reverse receded gums. Some type of topical treatment with amazing potential, though I’m guessing it isn’t available yet.
I was in the same boat as Scarlett67. After a root planing and increased diligence in dental care, my gums are reattaching themselves to my teeth (yay, me!). I had lots of 3s, 4s, 5s, and a few 6s (:eek:). Nearly all have gone up since I had the procedure done 14 months ago. My dentist and hygenist are both astonished. I still have a few that need to improve some more, but they are related to the removal of my wisdom teeth (one of which had to be surgically removed. It’ll get better if you keep working at it.
Thanks for all your kind replies and links. I am an utter failure at Googling. I think I am too awed with the number of results.
I noticed in one of the links that one can actually erode the gums by too much brushing with hard brushes. Guess I’ll have to try and control my new addiction.
Hopefully my condition has not progressed as far as some of yours has and I can prevent any more loss. Strangely enough, I have somehow been blessed with few tooth problems in my adult life, though I certainly suffered plenty as a youth.
Start brushing and flossing now, and see a periodontist as others have recommended. I went from “pockets” of 8 (teeth about to fall out, actually loose) to 2-3 in all teeth.
My grandmother’s advice to me and thee: Dentures stink. Save your teeth at any expense.
This is exactly why I got an Oral-B–my hygienist told me my brushing habits were forcing my gums back.
The idea with an orbital toothbrush is that you are just doing a mopping motion, not a scrubbing one. You shouldn’t be pushing hard onto your teeth (you don’t need to, since the spinning brushes do the work). So you ought to be fine brushing your teeth with your orbital, even if you are an “addict,” as long as you aren’t pushing.
If the bristles are bending or flattening, you’re naughty.