Receding Gumline - Please help

[Andre]

I was at my doctors today and asked her to take a look at my teeth. She said I had a receding gumline and that I should see a dentist ASAP which I will do, but cannot afford...

My teeth were okay until about a few months ago. In the summer there was a time when I was eating about 12 oranges a day for weeks. This is when it started. Now the bottom 2 fang teeth are quite exposed. Luckily they don't hurt, yet.

I don't brush as much as I should, and I almost never floss. I know, not cool. :( Now I'm regretting it.

If there is anything I can do, no matter how small, please tell me. I'm freaking out that I'm gonna lose my teeth.

[rawstrength]

First of all, relax. Your teeth will be fine. I also had a receding gum line; it was from not flossing. My gums are fine now. You need to floss thoroughly, every day. The gums get irritated by food caught between your teeth. Also, brush at least twice a day with vegan soap, Dr. Bronner's is good. You should also oil pull every day for 20 minutes, then rinse your mouth out with warm salty water. (in case you don't know, oil pulling is swishing 1-2 tablespoons of oil around in your mouth). If you don't have any metal fillings in your mouth, then you can also use hydrogen peroxide as an all natural antiseptic mouth wash.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have you seen your dentist per your doctor's suggestion? If so, what did s/he say? If not, then why not get a second opinion from someone who actually specializes in teeth?

But along with the great suggestions Rawstrength gave, just make sure that when you eat citrus that you rinse well with water when possible...if not, drink water and just swish it around in your mouth to help rinse some of the acid off.

But I've always heard of citrus causing erosion of the enamel, but never anything about it causing gums to receed.

AND...

Make sure that WHEN you brush, you are not brushing too hard! That can also cause it.

[Lady Green Jeans]

All very good suggestions. Grinding your teeth when you sleep is also a cause of gum recession. I understand it is also an aging issue--ever hear "long in tooth"? I floss very thoroughly daily, gently massage/brush gums for about two minutes on top of regular cleaning and have started oil pulling again--recently had the best exam/cleaning ever.

Good luck and find a good dentist to assist.

[oceanluv]

my dentist recommended the 50/50 peroxide, water rinse for me, and unfortunately, I have lots of fillings, and have not noticed any bad reactions.do you know why you aren't supposed to use peroxide with fillings?

[ArcturusXIV]

I had a receding gumline, and they had to do skin grafting on me. I think you will be fine. Just brush regularly and eat greens. Flossing is a great suggestion as well--that's what my dentist recommended to me.

[rawstrength]

I've heard peroxide can pull certain metal fillings out of your teeth over the long term, BUT if your dentist recommends it for you, and it is working for you, then keep it up.

[TaupeRawMan]

I had a receding gumline, and they had to do skin grafting on me. I think you will be fine. Just brush regularly and eat greens. Flossing is a great suggestion as well--that's what my dentist recommended to me.

Hi Arcturus -

my dentist has recommended skin grafting. How bad were you gums (4...5..6)?

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Get a SOFT toothbrush. I mean SOFT. Hold your toothbrush with three fingers when you brush, twice per day. You'll feel like you aren't getting anything, but trust me, you are.

The vit C in oranges is great for gums, but the acid is not good for teeth, so yes, rinse after, as was suggested.

This will make an immediate difference, if only that it will not continue the problem.

I also recommend oil pulling 2x/day and flossing 2x/day

My gums were receding so bad that the roots were exposed on one of my teeth. It's back to normal after just a week of 2x oil pullng, flossing, and brushing with a Colgate 360 Extra Sensitive toothbrush, using a vegan non-glycerin soap mix I made. Yeah I'd been doing that a month, but the last week switched to the ultra soft toothbrush and upped oil pulling to 2x.day and I can't believe this is the same mouth

[TaupeRawMan]

Thanks for the post, CHL!

I use a SonicCare. Is this soft enough?

[Crazy Healer Lady]

I don't know, actually? Does it say extra soft?

[Andre]

Thank you all so much for the replies.



You should also oil pull every day for 20 minutes, then rinse your mouth out with warm salty water.
What type of oil is best to use?



Have you seen your dentist per your doctor's suggestion? If so, what did s/he say? If not, then why not get a second opinion from someone who actually specializes in teeth?
I'm scared to go. It's so expensive and I don't have insurance. Also, I don't the dentist messing with my gums if they really don't have to.


I bought Colgate Total. I don't like the idea of using it, but I will this once to get things under control. I haven't used toothpaste in years.


Get a SOFT toothbrush. I mean SOFT. Hold your toothbrush with three fingers when you brush, twice per day. You'll feel like you aren't getting anything, but trust me, you are.
I'm just gonna do that. I've been using my medium brush very lightly for now.


I can already see a difference in my gums. They look more pink. I also took a small spoon scraped my tongue with it. Works nicely. AND, I'm even flossing * feels proud * :D

As for my diet, I now eat 4 meals a day, one of them containing an orange smoothie for vitamin C which I drink through a straw then I swish with water after. Amazingly the exposed root on my tooth does not hurt. Likely due to my diet.

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Sounds like you're on the road to sucess!

[lsadeseyens]

I just learned about oil pulling from my son, so I haven't tried it yet. I googled it and read up on it and it sounds interesting. I know you all have said this will help for receding gums, but will this help for sensitive teeth as well? Anytime I eat or drink anything citrus or tangy, I have to rinse my mouth out immediately afterwards, or my teeth are sharp sometimes for days. If it will help, I will start it tomorrow.

Also, crazy healer lady, should I oil pull 2x a day for 20 minutes each time?????

[ArcturusXIV]

Honestly, this was years ago...I'm not sure how bad my gums were at that point. But they've gotten a lot better over the years, so I'm no longer concerned. The skin grafting may help. I'm not sure it's so terrible...just a pain to heal from.

[MelissaO]

I used to brush too hard for too long- that cause my gum line to recede.

Flossing is good to get your gums health, brushing with a soft tooth brush in little tiny circles, and here is the link for oil pulling:

http://www.oilpulling.com/



I just started on Monday to do the oil pulling and my mouth feels so much cleaner and healthier.

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Um, 2x for 20 minutes is what works for me. I was doing 1x, but didn't see nearly the results I am seeing now. A month of 1x didn't do what a week of 2x has done. I use the oil pulling time to check my email or do something relaxing. If I'm in a rush, I'll do it in the shower. It's good for strengthening your jaw, too ;) haha Also, I use sunflower oil.

[trinity082482]

I am sure not all dentists think a like however mine told me that when the gum line recedes that there is nothing you can do to stop it non surgically. I went in concerned a while back over the same issue but they said a millimeter difference is normal and not everyone's gum line is the same. I left it a lone but I make sure they take a look at every check up.

[oceanee]

I had skin grafted for 2 receding gums in my late teens after my braces were removed.It was painful and expensive and several years later the gums had receded again.
For 20 years I have been told I need to do the skin graft again....that those 2 teeth will eventually fall out........
My latest dentist told me the receding was due to my braces.
Anyway, I am not doing the skin graft but hoping a raw diet, flossing and oil pulling will continue to keep my mouth healthy.
Personally, if you were recommended to have a skin graft I would think all dentists would echo the same tune. See how they improve with what you are now doing and I bet you'll see things get better !
Oceanee