extreme dental anxiety since wisdom tooth removal

[bonnieb]

Hi everyone,

I had a wisdom tooth out last year - unfortunately got dry socket, and then another infection.
All good now but ever since I have become very anxious constantly about my teeth.
It is constantly on my mind and I am convinced I have gum disease / will loose my teeth even though my latest check up was all normal.

I recently started flossing - and my gums around two teeth have become very red, and a little puffy. No pain but they look very irritated - the rest of my teeth and gums are fine.

Does this mean there is something wrong with the tooth? Or have I just hurt the gum flossing?
Is it normal when you start flossing for just one or two gums around certain teeth to become inflamed?
It was quite a hard spot to get through so I could have snapped it in the gum but I dont really remember any pain at the time.


Thanks for listening

 

[brit]

You say you had a check-up recently. Did you also see a hygienist? If not might I suggest you ask to see one, so they can show you how to floss correctly, maybe do a cleaning and allay any fears re the redness/puffiness of your gums.

 

[Sevena]

As brit said, it's a good idea to schedule a check up when you have new symptoms.

Also your anxiety over your teeth is not something you should have to live with. Do you get anxious over other things or just this? I often recommend counselling when people get anxiety complexes over their teeth - it might help you. These things left unchecked can turn into obsessions that impact your daily life. It's often a form of health anxiety (hypochondria), which can appear after a recent worrying period with our health. Don't feel like you have to suffer this alone