Q.
I have definitely got gum disease. the papilla either side of my upper right incisor has retraced and exposed two pin sized holes either side of my tooth which look a tiny margin bigger every time I floss. at this point how far has the (and I assume this is the case) periodontitis gone? I am booked in at my hygienist very soon where I will have it cleaned, but in a mean time and afterwards is there anything you can suggest? for example with mouthwash, will this make it worse (forcing acid through a small hole- wont that make the hole bigger) and if not which do I use? corsodyl is for gums and the Colgate ones for teeth isn’t it? I would appreciate any help you could give me. thank you.
I have definitely got gum disease. the papilla either side of my upper right incisor has retraced and exposed two pin sized holes either side of my tooth which look a tiny margin bigger every time I floss. at this point how far has the (and I assume this is the case) periodontitis gone? I am booked in at my hygienist very soon where I will have it cleaned, but in a mean time and afterwards is there anything you can suggest? for example with mouthwash, will this make it worse (forcing acid through a small hole- wont that make the hole bigger) and if not which do I use? corsodyl is for gums and the Colgate ones for teeth isn’t it? I would appreciate any help you could give me. thank you.
A.
There is limited benefit in using mouth wash to help with periodontitis. Oral hygiene is the key prior to seeing your hygienist/dentist. I would suggest twice daily toothbrushing and flossing. If the spaces are big enough, then you could consider something like a Tepe brush to go through the spaces and clean effectively but you may want to wait and get specific advice from your health professional. There are very limited benefits in either mouthwashes and toothpastes in my opinion when we are trying to treat periodontal disease, it is all about how you clean and not what you clean with.
There is limited benefit in using mouth wash to help with periodontitis. Oral hygiene is the key prior to seeing your hygienist/dentist. I would suggest twice daily toothbrushing and flossing. If the spaces are big enough, then you could consider something like a Tepe brush to go through the spaces and clean effectively but you may want to wait and get specific advice from your health professional. There are very limited benefits in either mouthwashes and toothpastes in my opinion when we are trying to treat periodontal disease, it is all about how you clean and not what you clean with.
Dr Ian Dunn
PurelyPerio Clinic 334, PO Box 334, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 0AG Web: www.purelyperio.co.uk Tel: 01625 419700
