Periodontal disease at 21

[momoduck]

Hi guys, I have been told I have periodontal disease and I am only 21, this has definitely caused me a lot of anxiety and shame, and fear of the future. I am scared about teeth falling out, since I had a deep clean a few weeks ago areas have been feeling sore and unstable, new gaps have formed and my things feel loose. I’m just really fearful of what is to come. I have been told to get my next checkup/cleaning in 3 months time and am afraid of what they will say, will things be even worse? will i need to lose some teeth? idk…. i just want to hear from people with similar experiences so if you have any advice i would love to hear it!! thank you

 

[Sani2222]

I’m really glad you posted. A periodontal diagnosis at a young age can be very frightening, and a lot of people feel the same mix of anxiety, shame, and fear that you’re describing. You’re definitely not alone in that.

What many people don’t realize is that after a deep clean, gums can feel sore, tender, or “different” for quite a while, and changes like spaces feeling more noticeable can be very unsettling. That doesn’t necessarily mean things are rapidly getting worse. often it’s just that swelling has reduced and everything feels unfamiliar for a bit. Several members here have shared that the period after their first treatment was actually the scariest part emotionally.

The fact that your dentist has you on a three‑month maintenance plan is very common with gum issues and is usually about keeping things stable and monitored closely, not a sign that tooth loss is expected. Many people live for years even decades managing periodontal disease with regular care.

It’s completely okay to be scared right now. You’ve taken the hardest step by getting treated and reaching out. You’re welcome here, and I hope others will share their own experiences so you can see you’re not facing this alone.

 

[momoduck]

@Sani2222 thank you so much for your kind words, i really appreciate your reply i definitely agree that this has been the hardest part emotionally i hope things start to feel less scary the more time goes on!

 

[letsconnect]

Hi @momoduck and welcome! So sorry to hear that you've been told that you have periodontal disease. When someone is diagnosed at a young age, there's almost always a strong genetic component involved, so don't beat yourself up over it !

Do you happen to know what sort of rate of bone loss there is? At 21, you may be eligible for a referral to a periodontal specialist who can work with you to prevent further bone loss and keep your mouth healthy.

 

[momoduck]

@letsconnect Hi, thank you very much! The dentist said around 15% bone loss and 0.5mm mobility in some upper teeth I think. And my dad has perio so maybe there is a link, not too sure how it all works. I am not sure how getting a referral works, do you have any advice? I am in the UK and currently a uni student so a bit overwhelmed lol, thank you

 

[letsconnect]

Hi, I don't think you would meet the threshold for a referral on the NHS. In most NHS regions, guidelines require the bone loss to be greater than your age (e.g., >21% bone loss at age 21). I suppose that's a good thing !

On the other hand, at age 21, any bone loss is considered "early-onset", so you should be aware that you can see a periodontist privately. Depending on finances, it's something you might want to consider, especially if you don't see an improvement after following your dentist's/hygienist's advice and more frequent cleanings. Not everyone is aware of this option, so I thought I'd mention it here!

You've probably had lots of advice already, but just in case you're interested, there's some info here on the website:

How to prevent and stop gum disease from getting worse

Is flossing is pointless? How do you best look after your gums? Find out how to prevent gum disease or stop it from getting worse!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Yes, like any chronic condition it's a real nuisance and it means that you'll have to keep on top of being quite meticulous about cleaning well every day (which can be pretty hard at any age, but especially in your 20s). But at least we have lots more knowledge nowadays about how to stop gum disease than, say, 20 or 30 years ago, so every cloud has a silver lining!

 

[momoduck]

Thanks for the advice, I don’t think this is an option for me financially at the moment so hopefully things can improve until I can afford it one day haha, thank you for taking the time to reply!

 

[letsconnect]

Just wanted to at least mention that the option exists though as I said, if for some reason it did get worse, you can also get a specialist referral on the NHS. You may find that things stabilise really quickly though when you follow whatever routine has been recommended by your dental team.

It sounds like you’re staying on top of this and actually visiting your dentist regularly, which is often the hardest part for many people .