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I have two areas on my gums which have large pockets. One is 6 and the other is 8(back where my wisdom teeth are). The dentist reccomended a treatment called ARESTIN. They inject an antibiotic(Tretracycline)at the gumline and supposedly after 6 weeks(?)the gum starts to tighten up around the gumline. Can anyone here give me some feedback? Any opinions will be appreciated.
In Reply to: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 04, 2005 at 14:34:40:
Hi Jean, they usually "scale" (scrape) the gum line and the irritation causes the gum to heal. Our dentist does it in quadrants when he is doing a whole mouth but if the pocket is large in one or two areas, they clean it out and put in a stitch or two. They can even do gum transplants. It was about $400 per quadrant a few years ago. People have suggested a water pic to alleviate a lot of this type problem.
In Reply to: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 04, 2005 at 14:34:40:
Don't know about the Arestin, but get yourself a Sonicare toothbrush right now. Brush for four minutes at night, two minutes in morning, giving a little extra attention to the areas of interest. Also, supplement with CoQ10. It will work wonders!
If it were me, I'd do the Sonicare and CoQ10 thing before having antibiotics injected. Get re-checked in three to six months and I think your problem will be solved.
I've heard but have no experience, that if you soak dental floss in hydrogen peroxide and floss it's good, too.
Which reminds me, if your gums are ever sore, rinse with hydrogen peroxide at night (no more than two nights in a row). My dentist doesn't recommend doing this, but it works for me--actually, since getting my Sonicare many years ago, I've not had that problem.
In Reply to: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 04, 2005 at 14:34:40:
Hi Jean,
It will probably work.... but...
Why can't you simply take the doxycycline pills for the same effect?
Ron
In Reply to: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 04, 2005 at 14:34:40:
Jean,
The first, and most important thing to do for gum disease is rigorous dental hygeine. Sonicare brushing is the best technology currently available, technically correct flossing, toothpick applicator lining of the gum line, waterpik flushing of debris and at least 2000 milligrams of ester C twice a day and CoEnzyme Q10 (100 milligrams twice a day during the acute phases) are what I would recommend along with professional removal of plaque at least 4 times a year. Once cleared up the professional visits can be reduced to twice a year.
If this is far advanced the current recommentdation of antibiotics may be needed for short term. You said it was "early gum disease" though.
Walt
In Reply to: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 04, 2005 at 14:34:40:
I got a sonicare toothbrush almost a year ago and I couldn't deal with the noise it makes. It's very loud! How do you guys put up with it? I even returned it thinking I had a defective toothbrush, but both brushes were loud. I returned it. Maybe I should try again.
Jean
In Reply to: Re: Question on treating Gum Pockets(early gum disease) Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on July 05, 2005 at 07:53:31:
Hi Jean,
I've been doing everything Walt suggests (except 4Xyear cleaning) for about 2 years now. No one had suggested gum surgery or treatments, but my pocket depths were increasing, and I had 5-6 areas where my gums were bleeding during dental cleanings. Between what I learned on this board, and what I learned from the hygienist at my new dentist's, I've turned all this around. My ex-dentist never mentioned any of this to me. My pocket depths went from 3s & 4s with a couple of 5s to 2s & 3s in 6 months, and 0 spots of blood.
Sonicare toothbrushes are good for cleaning, so maybe try again and buy yourself some foam earplugs at the same time :) Don't use too much pressure, though, just angle up to your gums. If you are going to get a waterpik-type device, I recommend the HydroFloss unit. It has an extra kick that Waterpik doesn't have--google for info about it. My dentist recommmended it highly, and said he has many patients who are reversing gum disease with it, himself included. Instead of a toothpick, I recommend one of those metal sticks with a rubber tip--made by Butler, Gum, or one of those companies--to peel off the plaque after flossing. Should be readily available at discount and drug stores. For floss, I use Reach gentle gum care floss, which is thicker than other flosses. Be sure to wrap around each tooth surface and go down below the gumline.
Another thing to try is Dr. Christopher's herbal tooth powder. You can brush with it or do your regular tooth care, then apply to your gums before bed.
Wishing you the best,
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Question about sonicare toothbrush) posted by Jean [2065.20] on July 05, 2005 at 11:44:42:
I was amazed at your question as I never considered the Sonicare loud. So I went into the bathroom and turned mine on and you're right! It's loud. But it's loud when it's not in your mouth. And one should NEVER have it on if it's not in your mouth. It will throw toothpaste all over the room if you do. (Ask me how I know.)
I, too, didn't like mine much in the beginning. In fact, I used it only once in a while for the first year I had it with my dental hygenist begging me to use it more often. I then started using it at night and used the regular toothbrush in the morning. Now, the Sonicare is the only thing I use, even traveling I take it with me and wouldn't even consider leaving home without it.
Mine finally started acting up after I'd used it about five years (it kept on turning off before it should have and then wouldn't restart) so I went to Walmart.com and replaced it for a very reasonable price of about $65 (my first one I paid $125). They've got all kinds of spiffy expensive new ones out but I got the same kind I had before and wow, I had no idea my old one had lost it's power. The difference is amazing.
Whatever you do, this is just a wakeup call to start taking better care of your teeth and no matter what dentists say, and they say you can't reverse the pockets, they're wrong, you CAN reverse it. I have, my best friend has, and someone on this thread has. And you will too.
In Reply to: Re: Question about sonicare toothbrush) posted by Alexandria Dumas [169.20] on July 05, 2005 at 21:07:40:
Thanks, Alexandria.
Amen!
Walt
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