Active gum disease and anxiety

[RustyRebecca]

I feel confused, worried and let down by dentists (here in the UK).
I was due to have my front teeth restored and it was a good thing I didn't.
My story was that I had pain in a front tooth, thought it might be a root canal. But it wasn't that at all.
I have been on a waiting list to be seen by a dental school (dental students work on you, for free, under the supervision of a qualified dentist). I managed to get accepted with the school eventually and yesterday went for an appointment with them. It was gruelling time as they take an absolute age to explore your mouth, much longer than a dentist, analysing each tooth. But I am grateful to them, as they do not charge, its just not so nice when you see loads of other patients in the room with their mouths open being seen at the same time! Very anxiety provoking.
But despite paying a substantial amount of money to a dentist previously to see the hygienist there, what has been causing the pain is very active gum disease. My whole mouth (gums) were bleeding as she prodded every quadrant and I scored 4 on virtually each one. Front teeth, one causing pain, had pus seeping from it.
I appreciate that I have a significant role in this and that prevention is me at home, cleaning my teeth and flossing very well each day, but my dentist knew I had periodontal disease and I had three hygienist appointments and I am left with active gum disease after all that, that needs (apparently) lots of treatment. And my private dentist was all set to charge me £90 just to assess my teeth (again) when I said I was in pain. And another dentist was prepared to put composite fillings on my front teeth when in effect I could even lose those teeth if the gum disease is not contained.
But more importantly, the dental school said they would help me get my mouth healthy again (just like the private dentist said!) and I am sure they will but I am concerned. I am very grateful to them but found I could not trust the young student who examined my mouth. She leaned against my teeth sometimes, she had tools in my mouth and I seriously thought at one point she was going to drop one down my throat! She was clumsy and it made my anxiety worse. I am worried that I won't be able to do the dental work with her. And it will take at least twice the time it would with an ordinary dentist.
I know from previous x-rays that I have some bone loss and I am so scared of losing my teeth. I really thought that after seeing the hygienist at my practice that this wouldn't be such an issue.
I don't know what to do, but I need to have this gum disease contained, and wondered how it could be and if there is someone I could see that specialises in gum disease and containing it and what they would do?

 

[letsconnect]

So sorry you've been let down (but good to hear that at least now you know what's going on!).

You could try seeing a periodontist (gum specialist). The British Society of Periodontology has a website https://www.bsperio.org.uk with lots of resources. It also allows you to search for a periodontist in your area.

(BTW, many thanks for your feedback re. the inhalation sedation page some weeks ago - we've since amended the text!)

 

[comfortdentist]

I can only speak from my own experience in dental school. I think that the treatment most patients received there was good. You pay in time more like 4-5X more time. And a level of clumsiness. If you have a good student then you will be fine.

 

[RustyRebecca]

Thank you Dr Kimsey. Though that is the point, she may be a good student but may not be! I don't mind clumsy as long as there is no harm. Its just about trusting the person who is in your mouth basically.

 

[Enarete]

So sorry to read this.. having been through cleanings and paying a private dentists just to find out they didn‘t treat your periodontal desease.. wow, sounds really frustrating.. and so does your experience with the student

 

[comfortdentist]

If your statement “(gums) were bleeding as she prodded every quadrant and I scored 4 on virtually each one.” Means you had lots of 4 mm deep pockets then it isn’t that bad. That level of disease typically responds very well to conservative treatment. In school you are taught not to miss anything and the importance of disease states.

 

[letsconnect]

@comfortdentist - it’s a different scoring system (not mm): BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination)

 

[RustyRebecca]

This is true, letsconnect, and sadly my BPE score grid had a 4 in each one apart from one which actually had a 2! (yippee?)

 

[blackhound]

I'm in the USA and had a similar experience. A dentist that did a bunch of work despite my significant gum disease all the time stringing me along with repeated deep cleanings and other therapies that just cost me a lot of money and did nothing except line his pockets. But periodontists deal with this all the time. A good one can help. I would definitely urge you to find one you can work with.