Receding gums.

sweetblood22 said:

I guess what I'm wondering
I guess what I'm wondering is, can you brush away your gums?

Sweet

What I was told by my dentist was to brush the gums as well as the teeth but use a soft tooth brush. Bushing the gums I think help with blood circulation and we need that. Hope someone else can elaborate a little better than I can.

Hondo

longtermsurvivor said:

not really
I am now almost 14 years out from radiation. I lost a bunch of gumline during radiation, but not appreciably since then. There is a difference between recession and formation of pockets. the first doesn't cause a lot of trouble as a rule, the second does. The reason for this happening post radiation is the usual stuff- qualitative and quantitative differences in saliva, bacterial flora, etc. Also, of course, dimininished vasculature to the gingiva. But not brushing. Brushing good!

water pik is wonderful
Hi Sweet, I couldn't live without the water pik. Once you use it and see all the gunk that is left between your gums after just brushing you will never be without one. I've got an electric and battery one. The settings are adjustable so you can dial up a gentle pressure without pain or hurting your gums. It will help you.

water pic yes
Our dentist recommended one years ago for getting under bridges and crowns. Even with normal saliva it is amazing the amount your brush leaves behind. Even the tongue cleaner attach ment is great. If you use it after onions it gets rid of the after taste. Amazing!

Seems strange to be giving you advice. Usually the other way around

Blessings

Debbie

Gums
I have been told that it is very beneficial to brush the gums with a soft toothbrush, actually more like the area where the tooth meets the gum because that area is prone to caries. I have lots of crowns and there is a space between the gum and the crown that needs special attention. The water pic is a very useful.

ratface said:

water pik is wonderful
Hi Sweet, I couldn't live without the water pik. Once you use it and see all the gunk that is left between your gums after just brushing you will never be without one. I've got an electric and battery one. The settings are adjustable so you can dial up a gentle pressure without pain or hurting your gums. It will help you.

waterpic
I too have electric and battery operated pics. They are great and you can adjust the pressure to make sure you don't cause bleeding. The attachments on the new ones are great including the brush and the tongue scraper. I consider it a "must have" to protect my teeth after rads.

Denny

tongue scrapping
It is not a painful thing unless you press hard. I just lightly touch my tongue and the water rinses it awy. Keeps breath sweet! :P

sweetblood22 said:

Thanks, Ratface. I am
Thanks, Ratface. I am always amazed that there is stuff still there after I spin brush and rinse. That there is always crud on the floss. I think because of the lack of saliva I just feel like crap is ways stuck on my teeth.

Sweetblood,

Yes, if you brush too hard you can make the gums recede. At least that's what my dentist told me.

In my 30's I had gum disease and have had receding gums ever since. Flossing is the best defense followed by a proxy brush, then lightly go over your gums with a SonicCare or equivalent. The WaterPic is highly recommended so keep that up.

Because I've taken such good care of my teeth the Oral Surgeon said I may not lose any. In the last 24 years I've maybe forgot to floss 3-4 times. If I lose them now it will really make me mad. So much work over so many years.

Just don't brush too hard.

Tommy

sweetblood22 said:

Tongue scraper
Just the thought of that causes me great pain and makes my eyes water. There will be no tongue scraping for me. Owie.

Tongue scraper
Yuck! Still scraping mine and I did it too hard once and it took awhile to heal, so be careful if you change your mind.
Dale