Receding gums??? PLEASE HELP!!!!?

Question

I have a receding gum line and i really would like to prevent &build it back up. At the advice of a dental hygenist, I have switched toothpastes from colgate tartar control to colgate total. I have braces right now, and I can't floss regularly because it is so hard to. Between three of my brackets, there seems to be a strange builld up of gum that has suddenly appeared. Please help me! I really don't want to get a skin graft or surgery of any kind!!!!

I am going to my orthodontist in 3 days, and I haven't seen my dentist in almost a year.
PLEASE HELP!

Thanks for all the suggestions! The inflamed part of the gums has started to go down now!

Answer 1

DONT DO METH

Answer 2

I read somewhere that if you swish with ACT Fluoride for 4 minutes, twice a day, it will help with the receding gums.

The "build up of gum" sounds like gingivitis. When you brush your teeth, also brush your gums but use a soft toothbrush. You might even want to consider getting a child's toothbrush - they're smaller and can reach easier above and around the braces and it won't tear up your gums. Also, you can get an anti-plaque mouthwash that you use before brushing. It helps to soften plaque so that brushing is more effective. I know you're going to hate this, but it's true - flossing makes all the difference. Don't you have flossers or threaders? I used flossers when I had braces. And yes, it takes a little longer, but you only have to do it once a day and flossers make it a whole lot easier. Floss BEFORE you brush so that the fluoride from the toothpaste can get between the teeth and between the teeth and gums.

Here's a web-site that lists some recommended products (almost halfway down the page - under "Oral Hygiene and Hygiene Aids"): http://www.sexsonorthodontics.com/orthotips.htm#Hygiene

Answer 3

I have the same problem, I am 55 and it has been going on noticeably since I was 40. I got told the same about brushing but too late. Our mums and dads tell us to brush a lot to keep the teeth in good condition and the dentists say do less to save the gums, can't win either way. The only advice I can give is do have any fillings necessary done on the newly exposed part as it has no enamel, deteriorates faster than the part which should be outside and if neglected can easily get cavities and make you hyper sensitive to hot or cold drinks and to sweet food that sticks, such as chocolate which I know we should not be eatting anyway. If the receding is on one tooth only I did have a friend who had that treat by the dentist cutting the gum each side then pullung it over the exposed part of the tooth and stitching the sides together but I have not had that done personally and anyway my receding is all over.

Answer 4

I have this problem too, and it supposedly is the fault of brushing too hard/not well and not flossing.

Two things you can do:

1) Floss two times a day (or at least once at night). When you floss carefully, the gums are triggered to grow back some. I'm not sure how to explain what happens, but it has worked for me. I am not as diligent as I should be, but when I really notice the nerves are sensitive, I get back into my routine!

2) Get a Sonicare toothbrush. This toothbrush forces you to brush the correct way for the correct amount of time. If you can't make the investment, then make sure you have a "soft" toothbrush, don't brush too hard, make little circles that just "massage" the gumline, and brush for 2 minutes.

Also, if you have build-up and braces, it might be worth it to get cleanings every 3 months instead of every 6 months until you get them off. I remember how hard it was to brush and floss with braces.

Answer 5

The build up may be just plauge, or lack of flossing. There is
no cure or real prevention of receding gums. I have that, but
Im up in my 40's.I see no need to worry about surgery. Your Ortho
will help enlighten you.

Answer 6

well friend dont get wiered gum build up i a common cause in persons undergoing orthodontic treatment,so for what ur undergoing this treatment is imp ,Do you have spacing in your teeth ,or there is crowding ?,case where u have spacing its very easy to access your brush but if you have braces over crowded teeth then ,its bit complicated to access so there are chances for plaque and tartar to get settled down in unnoticed or left over areas when u brush ..so what can u do is when u brush ,(use a soft bristle) ,do it in front of a mirror ,make sure u brush in circular motion with very gentle strokes ,and do not neglect the inner surface or the teeth both anterior and posterior areas ,and throughly rinse with ( rexidine) mouth wash after u brush take an ounce of that solution ,,swisch around ur mouth for a min ,,it helps in preventing bad breathe ,swelling of gums ,
keep doing ,, it will help u a lot

Answer 7

floss, floss, floss, floss, floss! I know it's hard - those little threaders are putzy and the floss is hard to hold, but it's really the best way to keep that tissue healthy and uninflamed (that's why it's creeping up in between your brackets - it's angry and swollen).

If you don't want future surgery and you do want a good result with your ortho. take the time to floss once a day - you'll be glad you did and you'll start a great habit for the rest of your life.

Answer 8

The same exact thing happened to me. I had braces 10 years ago and my gums are still that way. I think braces messes up some people's gums. Maybe it is from the braces making the teeth shift and the pressure and all that. My gums are still messed up. I wish I never got braces, but my mom made me. I also got lots of cavities at the gum line from the braces. totally sucked. too bad you couldn't have gotten invisalign or porcelain veneers.

Answer 9

You don't smoke, do you? Smoking is bad for the gums, so if you smoke, quit.

My dentist likes me to brush from the base of the gum to the top of the tooth, that would be downward on the upper jaw and upward on the lower jaw. It seems to have worked. Anyway, good luck!

Answer 10

Stop brushing so hard. Switch to a softer brush. Try getting a water pic, those helped when i had braces.

Answer 11

Since you're having a hard time flossing, I would suggest Super Floss. It has a stiff end that is a lot easier to manipulate around your wires.