Gums Receding

Hi, I have the same problem that you do and im only 23 but mines on my top front tooth my gum is up extremely higher on that one tooth but thankfully my lip hides it, but I was told it was from brushing to hard too and to only use a soft toothbrush and brush in circles instead of back and forth but im like a clean freak with my teeth so im constantly brushing so I guess it is possible to brush away your gums.. They didnt tell me that I was going to lose the tooth they just told me to stop the brushing back and forth and to massage the gum gently with my finger to keep good blood circulation to it..

Hi there! At 46 years old and having had the gum surgery 3 years ago, yes, you can actually brush your teeth so aggressively that the gums recede. Also, I learned this can be a hereditary factor, people that smoke will get gum disease and the gums will erode away from the teeth, and from not taking care of your teeth and gums, floss people , floss! I did smoke, but have been quit for 13 years this month!

I have the same problem I have been having skin grafting for the last 6 years and will need to for the rest of my life.
The reason I have this is because I chose to brush to hard and push back my gums and brush too often.
If I use a soft brush and only brush 2 aday and use mouth wash in between the dentist says it will help.
It is very painful to have done so when you are brushing remember to have skin grafting they take the skin off your roof of your mouth and stitch it to your gums. So next time you brush think about the pain of grafting and lighten up on brushing.

Good luck with your teeth

Just thought i'd pass this along, found out today, the skin grafting does not have to come from the roof of your mouth anymore. There is a new procedure in which (donated) skin is attached and will work as well. This causes less pain and chance of infection. I for one will probably have to have grafts in the future and I will most definately shoose this procedure. Makes me proud to know I am also an organ and tissue donor as well! :d

I am curious - I too am noticing my gums are receding on my front two teeth and its freaking me out. What approx is the cost for surgery - I know there are two types the grafing and also tieing them up so to speak. Does anyone have this info? Thanks

You should go see your dentist to have all our gums evaluated. They will measure the gum loss and bone support (called periodontal charting) and this will allow them over the years to keep track of anything getting worse. If necessary they will refer you to see a periodontist.Recession is very common, some more severe cases may require gum surgery. It is called a free gingival graft. They have perfected the technique these days so there is little discomfort. They make a small cut in the palate and use the tissue underneath so that the palate is then closed back up. This allows for more comfort and better healing than keeping having the palate left raw. The graft is either sewn or glued where needed and healing time is very quick. Here is canada the cost is around $1000, (because it is recommended to have done by a periodontal specialist it is pricey), our insurance will cover some of the cost though. My husband is having this done on monday on his lower bottom teeth. I know lots of people who have had them over the years and they are great. The tissue matches great. The most important things are to use a soft brush and a light hand to prevent any more damage.

So with extended medical the will pay a portion?

It can be partially covered by extended dental, not extended medical and of course depends on your plan. For us we have a not so great plan and I think they are only covering up to $300. This is mostly because our plan does not cover specialists fees (periodontist). It will cover the cost of a general dentists fee as given in the fee guide. Thats where the 300 comes from. I woundn't ever get this done by a general dentist!!!!So we will gladly pay the fee.

Single or few teeth can not suffer from a heavy brushing, if you brush too hard, more areas would show the problem (wouldn't you agree?).
Recession of the gums (or when gums pull away from the tooth, exposing yellowish root that is sensetive) more often is caused by some heavy forces on the tooth (bite problems, grinding) or the "muscle" pull of the lining of the mouth in that area (when you pull down your lip, can you see a fiber of the mouth lining pulling next to the gums around that tooth?).
Please, see your dentist and do not worry. It either can be maintained or some minor gum surgery will be needed.
Electric toothbrushes (more expensive ones) have a pressure control.

See I just have basic msp, so would have to pay the whole deal myself. So I am looking at around $600 from what you say or what around? I still have my lip stringies (lol) so I think its from harsh brushing, my prior dentist said I have alot of plaque around the gumline and I know my gums were recededing at that time too. I am not impressed with him in the slightest so changing dentists, but wanting to get more of an idea before I go in.

I am only 26 so this has me quite concerned.

I massage my gums with my fingers - any other tips it just seems like they are just continually receding... Any tips between now and when I am able to get another dentist?

Ty

Hi im still in my teen years and I am starting to freak out because I noticed that there is a small cut on one of my upper front teeth. It doesn't hurt and there is no swelling, it doesn't even bleed anymore. Because it is not showing any dangerous signs I don't know if I should just wait for it to go away. I don't know if it can go away.I think i'm too young to already be developing receding gums or anything like that. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know what to do.
Thanks

I have receding gums on the lower left side of my mouth. My dentist says to use the electric soft toothbrush along with a liquid tooth cleaner. Normal tooth paste can be very abrasive. I love oramd liquid. I found it on line.

I am getting this procedure done on Monday. My dentist referred me to a peridontic specialist on my last visit because one tooth has receded in the gums. I am doing Alloderm (human skin) because I don't want to deal with the roof of my mouth needing to heal which will be painful and long. It still kind of creeps me out though. During consultation I found out the procedure is a whopping $1700 and I would need to pay $428 out of pocket. But it's serious so I was going to do it.

MAKE SURE YOU CALL YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE FIRST. My mom suggested I try to bill it as a medical surgery (I guess it is afterall). Apparently that's what my parents did when my siblings and I got our wisdom teeth out. Depending on your medical insurance, as long as you can prove this surgery isn't preventive but a NECESSARY surgery they will cover it. I still am skeptical but I'm going to try it out. Otherwise, I'll have used up all my Dental insurance for the year and need to wait to get a retainer, etc until 2010.

Hi,

This is an kind of gum disease, but just an starting so it is better to go with an dentist As Soon As Possible.

Take care and Thanks!

Just wanted to give a comment on my procedure that I had done 5 days ago. I had a free gingival graft as described above. It cost 820 (without insurance) for one tooth. I was not under general anesthesia (meaning I was awake), and the whole procedure took about 1.5 hours. I am still a little sore, and eating is difficult, but it wasn't as bad as people make it out to be. They gave me Vicodin for the pain which I only used the first day, and for about 2 nights. My perio put some sort of super glue on the donor site which I have heard is the place that hurts the most. I am fortunate in that the glue stuff has not come off yet (I was told that it usually only stays in place for a couple of days and then hurts pretty bad.) I would say that (with medication) the whole experience was quite bearable. Just adding my story to the plenitude of horror stories that can be found.

I had a skin graft two weeks ago on my implants, seems to be common. The donated tissue is white, went to the office and they say doing well. Nobody mentioned aggressive brushing. Now I'm terrified this $900 flap of skin is going to come off.