What to Do for Periodontitis

Yes, but not fun. My dentist did deep cleaning to get all the pockets of plaque out. He had to numb each quarter of my mouth to do it.

But it was better than a friend of mine... she had to have gum actually cut back.

The lesson I learned. Floss, Floss and Floss.....Also do the deep cleaning now so you don't have to do the cutting of the gum later.

Has he been to a dentist? I think they can do a "deep cleaning" which would probably help. Good luck, S.

Your husband should be seeing the dentist regularly and speaking directly to the hygienist. Periodonitis is primarily caused by bacteria under the gum tissue and the way to combat this is to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Other factors thay cause periodontitis are systemic; like diabetes, auto immune diseases, and obesity (to name a few). He may need more frequent visits and/or a series of appointments for a deeper cleaning, but without knowing the extent of the disease or the risk factors involved, I cannot say for sure. The hygienist can also prescibe a mouthrinse called Chlorhexadine which kills bacteria for short term use, if necessary.

Diligent home care is essential to stopping the progress of periodonitis. Brushing two times a day (electric toothbrushes are best), for at least two minutes, and flossing daily is crucial. If chlorhexadine is not being used, Listerine or Crest Pro Health mouthwash are over the counter options as well.

Your husband's best course is to speak to the dentist and hygienist. There is no cure for periodontitis, but it can be managed with regular visits and good home care.

Good luck and work on the home care!!!! It is essential.

T., RDH

PS: Xylitol is a great product for reducing cavities, it kills the bacteria that causes them. However, it does not help with periodontal disease, they are caused by different bacteria. Just a little info for everyone.

My gums have been generally healthy EXCEPT when I brush too hard, which I tend to do when I become too automatic.

My dentist recommends soft bristles and a gentle brushing technique that basically places the bristles against your teeth and rotates the brush gently. There's no "scrubbing" involved, just gentle movement of bristles in approximately the same place you set them. Every few seconds, move a tooth or two further and repeat.

I also have used baking soda exclusively for twenty years because I'm sensitive to other ingredients in toothpaste. It works beautifully, leaves my mouth feeling sweet and fresh. Both dentist and hygienist always remark on my mouth health and relative lack of tartar.

But I understand this is partly a problem some people are simply more susceptible to, like any other health issue. I've heard that vitamin C and Co-Q 10 added to the diet are both helpful. I wish your husband well.

Hi there, Has he been seeing a dentist? I get my teeth cleaned 3 times a year because of deep pockets in my gums. My dentist is in Burien and uses a sonic water jet for the deep cleaning. It's also important to floss.

a periodontist (a gum specialist) would prescribe something he could rinse with to help tighten his gums, and get regular cleanings would help also..

good luck!

When I had this problem, my dentist recommended that I switch to the Sonicare toothbrush. It has made a huge difference over the years and with each apt to the dentist, my gums have shown improvement. You can purchase Sonicare brushes through your dentist. I have seen them at Target as well.

I have issues with this too, and the key is to keep flossing! There is a rinse you can get from the dentist that helps with gum flare ups, and I also got a sonicare toothbrush, and it really helps. It's designed for gum care. I went to the dentist for a cleaning and I had pockets that were a 6! 4 months later, after I tried to floss a little more, I had 2's and three's. I'm curious to see what it'll be this month.
Good luck, and I know it is expensive, but if he hasn't yet, he should really talk to a dentist and get on a treatment plan.

My husband has the same probem. He goes to the Dental Hygentis to get a deep cleaning about every two months. This is a serious deep cleaning, not your routine 6 month cleaning. My husband takes Motrin before he goes to these appointments. It has stopped the bleeding & the receding. Otherwise the Dentist said he would need surgery to cut away his gums so he wouldn't loose his teeth.
I would rather pay the expense & have him keep his teeth then have him get them all pulled & get dentures.
Hope this helps.

I would say brush after every meal & ask your dentist to give you a prescription for Peridex oral rinse. Use this rinse twice daily after eating & brushing. Also, try not to snack constantly throughout the day, only eat at meal times.

I agree with the electric toothbrush advice, if he doesn't already use one. I have always had sensitive gums, and when I decided to switch to a regular toothbrush for awhile my gums receded so badly that I had to recently have gum surgery. Don't forget to consider nutrition as well. Any good holistic dentist will tell you that the mouth is often a reflection of the health of one's entire body, which is why dental health is so often linked with other degenerative diseases. Good luck to you.

I had a girlfriend who has this same problem where her teeth where really getting loose. She used calcium to strengthen the bones and teeth and her teeth stopped wiggling.

There is a difference in calcium products - some don't even digest in the stomach - and she used Shaklee Osteomatrix (calcium) so we know that worked.

If interested go to http://a-leading-edge.myshaklee.com

Take as directed. However I would split the amount of 2 in the a.m. and two in the p.m.

Also, as your dentist should tell you to brush, floss and use a water pik.

N.
SAH mom, nana, and wellness coach

I really swear by my sonicare toothbrush. I used to get complaints from my dentist every appointment about the bleeding and irritation in my gums. Once i got the sonicare - about ten years ago - the problems magically cleared up and now i get good feedback at the dentist.

Can't promise that will entirely fix your problem, but, it certainly seems worth a try.

(I will mentioned - my gums, even today, are much worse if i have a cold and breath through my mouth while i'm asleep. If you're husband has some sleep disturbances that may cause this to happen, its worth looking at those, too. His dentist may be able to help.)

If your husband is not being treated by a dentist already he needs to see one.

Also I have used a Water Pik and found that it not only toughened up my gums but forced out food that was trapped between teeth.

I've been recently reading about Xylitol - maybe do a search on the internet to see if that might help. I'm still learning myself!

i second the deep-cleaning and sonicare toothbrush. also, my dentist told me that you should floss first to get the food loose to brush it. otherwise the brush can't get it out and then you floss but it still sits on your teeth.

This is how I get my best mouth health:

Rinse with Listerine
Brush with "sensitive" toothpaste
Floss
Rinse with flouride (my dentist says it helps adults with receding gums - like me!)