So upset...Periodontal Disease!!

helovesme · 10-26-2005, 02:21 PM

I went today for my dental check up (first one in quite a while, I haven't had dental insurance till recently, which is humiliating enough to admit that you haven't had an exam in years). Anyhow, I was informed that I am in stage 2 of periodontal disease (sp?) and if I don't get it treated, I'll lose my teeth!! Holy cow!

I'm so upset, b/c I brush twice a day and use mouth wash, and still....

I thought I read somewhere that this could be related to PCOS. Is it?? I'd like to talk to my dentist about it on my next visit to see what he knows also.

Any comments or advice is appreciated!

Eva37 · 10-26-2005, 03:03 PM

Hi

I am sorry, but I dont know anything about it. Just know how |'d feel if it was me..........

Eva

proudearth · 10-26-2005, 03:36 PM

its because you need to have regular checkups to remove the tartar bulidup and plaque they need to scrape it off.. i go every 6 months so i dont have problems..i dont have insurance costs me 75 dollars to get a cleaning but its worth it than losing my teeth..

squidge63 · 10-27-2005, 12:20 AM

I always had good teeth and gums up until my late 20's. I was diagnosed with pcos when i was 18. My teeth are not the problem, it is my gums, and over the years due to the pcos i have lost bone density in my lower gum, and now have 2 wonderfully loose front teeth. I also tend to build up plaque/tartar or whatever very quickly, regardless if i brush my teeth 3 times a day or once a day. I see the hygienist who gets rid of all the crud and they keep trying to get my gum to tighten up, but it isnt. I should go back and get her to clean them up again, but it costs so damn much each time. I am sure that my 2 teeth are on borrowed time. I am also diabetic and when i have high sugars, they dont help the situation.

Wishing&Hoping · 10-27-2005, 12:26 AM

I've always had good teeth. Never had a cavity. But my mother was the same way untill she had kids. Then her teeth just went down hill really fast. I'm hoping the same thing doesn't happen to me because I think I have pretty teeth.

Any ways...

I havn't heard it being PCOS/PCO realed. Maybe I should look deeper into it, maybe thats what helped push my mothers teeth along.

lovelyinkedlady · 10-27-2005, 01:22 AM

I have the same problem.

I'm actually having to have a deep cleaning done because of it. I've had 4 teeth pulled aside from my wisdom teeth. 3 because there was no way to save them the other one i had pulled because of how it looked and they wanted to do a 700 dollar cap on it. I can't afford that. Now on the bottom i have one tooth they have to cap, but in doing so they have to do the root lenghting on it becuase i've lost some bone in the bottom.

I hadn't been to the denist in 7 years. I have bacteria and tarter below the gum line really badly. Until i get the deep cleaning done, i won't get ride of the periadonal pockets which bleed when i brush my teeth.

My suggestion is take a deep breath. it's not as bad as they may be making it sound, or as bad as your hearing it. Two go in and talk with them about your options. Usually they can help you and treat the problem and help to get it corrected. Three are you a night grinder ( grind your teeth or clinch them at night ) from what i was told that can cause issues with your gums. It has really badly with mine.

The other thing they can do, ( they do it in my dentist office ) is after they do the deep cleaning they are going to do my gums with a lazer to get rid of the dead stuff and help to grow new stuff.

if your a night grinder or clincher have them fit you for a night guard. that helps to protect the teeth. It could also be hereditary for the disease. My dad had bad teeth, and my brother at the age of 24 lost all of his teeth. There was a problem where the enamel on the teeth didn't bond to it self so they were extreamly weak and brittle.

Your only at stage 2 so you can still save your teeth. Don't let it go. Get in and get it taken care of. As far as pcos having anything to do with the teeth issue, i didn't find anything on that when i was researching for my report for my class. So i really don't think it has anything to do with it. but i do know that baterica under the gum line will cause bone lose. I have it on the lower left side.

Armastama · 10-27-2005, 02:02 AM

First of all (((hugs))), I am really dentist-phobic, the whole thing scares the beegeezus out of me. I dont know that its specifically related to PCOS, but I have read several things about diabetics having issues with their teeth and gums because of the high sugar content in their blood/saliva. My mom (doesnt have PCOS or diabetes) got PD and she has been able to really make a difference by going in for regular cleanings ever 6 months and she has a rigorus routine in the morning.. Floss, Wash, Pik, and Brush. The water pik has done her gums wonders according to her dentist.

I also read an article once that said that having bad teeth, decay and the like, can actually increase your diabetic risks and symptoms.. food for thought.

Good luck hun, do whatever you can to save your teeth!!

StarMaiden · 10-27-2005, 02:19 AM

Yes, people who don't have healthy blood glucose control, and that includes people who don't yet have diabetes as well as diabetics, are at much higher risk of periodontal disease.

ChelNY · 10-27-2005, 01:30 PM

you didn't mention flossing. that is a big thing that will help you. your gums may bleed at first, but eventually, as they get better, it will stop. i had this problem. i hadn't been to a dentist since i was a kid. when i finally went he said i had the beginning of periodontal disease. i thought brushing was good enough. but flossing is also very important. if you are diligent to do what your dentist tells you to do, you can turn the situaiton around and you won't lose your teeth.

proudearth · 10-28-2005, 01:28 AM

yeah my dad has it and he is diabetic he never took care of his teeth and they are like almost gone.. so if you go to the dentist on a regular basis it will help..

Fula97 · 11-17-2005, 11:33 AM

I don't know if it is a PCOS thing but I have read hormonal changes can affect your gums. I have PD because I hated going to the dentist since my old dentist made it so painful. My new dentist I have been going to for the past three yrs is awesome (my ex's brother go figure). You have to get it treated because you will lose your teeth. As a poster stated above they will have to do a deep cleaning (scaling) I had a deep cleaning done, as well as had antibotics inserted into my gums (not covered by my insurance "ugh"). I go 4 times a year for a cleaning and now am obsessive about flossing (really important) and use an oral rinse that tastes terrible but hey I have to deal better than losing my teeth

strongernow · 11-17-2005, 06:19 PM

I just want to add my word in here and say I fully absolutley sympathize on having bad teeth. I dont have anything wrong with my gums but all my life growing up I always had dozens and dozens of cavities each time I went no matter how much I brushes/flossed. Now I have been seeing the dentist once a week or bi weekly for the past 2 years to get loads of work done (he is letting me do payments thankfully) and I need ALL my teeth crowned because my enamel is so weak and the damage is so bad. I am glad that I have a nice smile and you cant tell unless you are really really close or look inside my mouth, but it is still very damaging to the self esteem. Its also very painful with tons of root canals and drilling later. My teeth are so sensitive, and having bad TMJ doesnt help, my entire jaw is so crooked that it makes my face actually crooked, nose and all.
Like proudearth mentioned it is more than worth the 75 bucks to go and get your teeth cleaned once or twice a year, and cavities filled if you can..I personally want to keep all the teeth I can even if I have to go through all this, atrophy or bone loss is the worst!