Stressed about gum disease

[Worrier24]

Hi All,

Recently joined as I have been a nervous wreck over the last few weeks because of a recent diagnosis of gum disease.

After not visiting the dentist for a couple of years along with infertility, depression, stress and pregnancy, I have failed to look after my teeth.

Last month I visited the dentist who told me I have moderate gum disease. I also have recession on my lower teeth.

My treatment plan included 2 hygeinist visits. I have had one done already, but she only did the bottom teeth. I have been really trying to keep on top of the cleaning and flossing and I do see some improvement.

However I have developed a gap in between my front teeth which has been really stressing me out and has shot my anxiety through the roof. I visited the dentist again and she said this can happen with gum disease and to ensure proper cleaning and hygiene visits.

I am losing so much confidence as a result of this gap. I hardly smile now and avoid talking directly to anyone. I did ask the dentist about composite bonding as I have heard this is and inexpensive way to close the gap. But she mentioned that we would have to control the gum disease first, which I agree with.

I don't know what to do in the meantime. Everytime I am talking to someone, I keep thinking they are focusing on my teeth. I have a couple of job interviews coming up and I am honestly thinking of just cancelling them ?

 

[Dg6300]

Do you have a periodontist?

If not, ASAP ask for a referral, go to them, and then immediately do everything they tell you to do.

They required I get a one on one hourlong tutorial on brushing and flossing, and it changed my dental life.

Good luck.

 

[Enarete]

Dear Worrier24,

sorry to read about your situation. Sounds like you have been through a lot in the last couple of years and now when you finally got back on track with your dental health, there is the gum disease. I think you are doing great with keeping on brushing and flossing and taking care of your teeth and this is what will, together with your hygienist, help you to stabilize the situation.

It is very easy to criticize and overanalyse the appearance of your front teeth, particularly if there was a sudden change after the clenings. I was glad to read that your dentist obviously is planning to help you with this so that now it is about the waiting time in between.
Now when you think of the people you have met recently, preferably before you started to think about teeth too much, could you describe how their gums looked like? Did they have any gaps in their teeth? Did they have gum recession? I bet you are not able to tell...

When we meet people, we focus on their face as whole, particularly on the eyes. We also focus on the overall energy and how we feel about them. We never look at someones teeth because if you look at a person's mouth instead of their eyes, they will think you're a weirdo (or attracted to them, both is not very probable during a job interview). On the other hand, if we look at our own face, we spot more details. You see yourself in the mirror every day so you know your face as whole quite well now, that's why you focus more on details. This is your perspective and nobody else will see it that way. If you doubt this, try to go out and talk to people who you only will see once and who you don't care much about, such as cashiers, postman, random people on the street etc. You could smile at them or ask something and see whether they behave strangely or stare at your teeth (they won't).

From working in a dental practice talking to people who haven't been to the dentist for a long time, I can tell you, you can't really notice what is happening with someones teeth. How often I had a chat with someone for half an hour and found their teeth perfectly normal just to later find out that they needed plenty of treatment on the front teeth.

Last but not least, your competence and personality has nothing to do with gaps in your teeth, so hopefully this won't prevent you from going on with your plans and dreams. Keeping my fingers crossed for your interviews!

All the best wishes and keep us posted

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

Did your dentist offer any treatment besides cleaning?

 

[Worrier24]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Especially Enarete ? I feel a little better. I had a bit of a melt down and had a good cry with my husband. The last few years haven't been easy for me and having gum disease has just topped it all.
So far my dentist has recommended the two hygeinist cleaning and a follow up in 3 months. She then said that of things haven't improved, I may need to be referred to a periodontist.

 

[Worrier24]

I have another question.

In my last visit to the dentist, she said that the gap may close by itself.

Is that even possible??

 

[geos]

I have another question.

In my last visit to the dentist, she said that the gap may close by itself.

Is that even possible??

I'm no dentist, but I think it's the same process as when teeth start shifting when you are missing a tooth. However, in this case it would be a very small shift where you have your gap.

In my case, I have a small gap that gets more noticeable after a cleaning and between cleanings the tartar builds up and the gap becomes less noticeable. I notice that gap only if I look up very closely and I noticed my tongue can get in the gap after a cleaning.