Main question is about gums, a little story too

[Icanthsfkjds]

I went for my cleaning today. Unfortunately need a filling around an old somewhat large filling. I was recommended a water pik along with my usual flossing, due to the old filling structures in the molars. Anyway it was definitely the more painful and uncomfortable than usual. I had someone else today. The person said it was due to the tartar that was sitting along the gum lines.

My gums were definitely bleeding in there. I took a look and well the tartar is definitely gone, but my already receding gums looks not too great. This made me wonder though. I know my mouthguard in the past took a piece of my gum off. I know they cant regenerate sadly, but wouldn't bleeding and damage over and over again be pretty bad? I just dont understand. How do they heal and clot? Do they not really do any of that? I dont have too much gum unfortunately, but due to the back teeth structure the floss slips and cut deep into my gums many times. My gum section that the mouthguard cut is still hanging, and moving around after all these months. It just confuses me since I know so little.

Sorry if my question is a bit weird. Im just trying to learn. I have to be careful taking care of my teeth, because I didnt know anything in my childhood. I had no fear of dangers when I was child. Didnt know much. Now I have to be extra careful as an adult.

 

[Gordon]

I know they cant regenerate sadly, but wouldn't bleeding and damage over and over again be pretty bad? I just dont understand. How do they heal and clot? Do they not really do any of that?

I might be misunderstanding you a bit here, sorry if I am.

Gums heal perfectly well, the thing that doesn't regenerate is the bone that holds the teeth in place, which gets damaged by a poorly understood response to the presence of plaque bacteria.

What seems to happen is that the plaque bacteria trigger a sort of autoimmune response which leads to the destruction of the bone socket that holds the teeth in place. What we don't know is why that happens.

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Thank you. Sorry for responding way too late. My anxiety keeps me from checking.

I think I had the misunderstanding, not you. That's actually interesting.

I wonder though, because of OCD type reasons. I keep going back to some of my teeth when it comes to flossing. Multiple times within my flossing time. Im thinking that something might be still in there. Should I be cautious of doing this? I often cut into my gums when I floss. When I brush after with my electric toothbrush. I sometimes feel sore or sensitive down near the root of the tooth.

 

[Gordon]

You do need to be a bit careful not to use the floss like a cheese cutter, slicing the gum open and introducing more bacteria into the area is not helpful! If you have access to a dental hygienist, getting them to check your flossing technique is a really good idea.

TePe brushes (available from most pharmacies or Amazon) are a fairly fool proof way of cleaning in between teeth, with less risk of damage if you get it wrong. Give them a try if you haven't tried them before.

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Thank you. Ill definitely do that and try to make it done sooner. (my next evaluation and clean up is in February)
Ill take a look at the TePe as well. They do look interesting.