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periodontitis? (Gum disease)
Okay, so I'm only 19 (20 at the end of the year) and I went to see my dentist a few days ago who told me I had periodontitis and now I'm terrified.
I did research, and looked at pictures and yes, my bottom teeth have receding gums but I have started flossing, using mouthwash, chewing sugar free gum and bought an electric toothbrush to try and help.
However, when I found these pictures and definitions the gums were red or covered in blood with dark brown shades near the gum. My teeth are relatively white with a little staining, and my gums are pink and not swollen (as far as I can tell), also the bleeding has gone down immensely over the last month and has never really been too bad to begin with. I also don't get any pain when I eat anything hard/chew on my food. (To be honest I am praying he exagerated the condition to scare me into cleaning better - which worked!)
I am sorry to ask, I'm just so scared I'll loose my teeth, I have no self confidence as it is and being toothless won't help, so here are the questions:
1). What else could I do to help keep my teeth and gums strong (I visit the dentist regularly)
2).If my teeth were to fall out, could they make me a fake tooth to replace it, or would thye be able to secure it before it fell out? Or is that it and bye bye teeth?
anyone who has this or anyone in the dental profession would be of great help :/ (and even if it isn't as bad as I think it is, I've been scarred into a better cleaning routine now!)
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Maybe give some free advice about: Health?
Keep visiting your dentist regularly and follow his advice. I went for a period of 17 years without seeing a dentist and, while they were amazed that my mouth wasn't a festering hole of dental corruption, I did have gum disease. Got my rotodent (rotary electric toothbrush) and followed the dentist's recommendations and got a healthy mouth. I can't slack, though, or things go backward in a hurry.
There are a number of options if a tooth falls out, though those options will be limited if there is deterioration of the jawbone from the periodontis. One such option is implants - artificial teeth anchored into the jawbone - but they are pricey. Other options include a single fake anchored to other teeth on up to full denture plates.
If you follow your dentist's recommendations diligently, you should be fine. Next time you visit your dentist, don't be afraid to talk to him or her and ask questions about the things that worry you.
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