Q.
Hi I am a bit concerned about the state my gums are in., I used to live down near Gloucestershire but have recently moved up north just outside of Manchester, reality check for me, I know! anyway not long before I left I’d had an appointment with my dentist/hygeinist who’d been somewhat concerned – no panicked but concerned about the wellbeing of my gums, she reckoned I had a more advanced stage of gum disease that could apparently be destructive, to what? anyway after six months I went for a check up at what is my new dentist who said everything looked fine!? you cansee the issue I have, If it were the other way around then Id suggest it had developed, I’d still seek advice as that would be quick to contract it and have it develop but its even quicker in terms of it just vanishing, I told him what my old dentist said and referred him to her in-case he wanted to chat but he checked again, no every things fine sir? I don’t know what to believe as my gums don’t look different to when I left? please could you help me what should I do or just look out for between now and my next check up? what do you advise? thank you!
Hi I am a bit concerned about the state my gums are in., I used to live down near Gloucestershire but have recently moved up north just outside of Manchester, reality check for me, I know! anyway not long before I left I’d had an appointment with my dentist/hygeinist who’d been somewhat concerned – no panicked but concerned about the wellbeing of my gums, she reckoned I had a more advanced stage of gum disease that could apparently be destructive, to what? anyway after six months I went for a check up at what is my new dentist who said everything looked fine!? you cansee the issue I have, If it were the other way around then Id suggest it had developed, I’d still seek advice as that would be quick to contract it and have it develop but its even quicker in terms of it just vanishing, I told him what my old dentist said and referred him to her in-case he wanted to chat but he checked again, no every things fine sir? I don’t know what to believe as my gums don’t look different to when I left? please could you help me what should I do or just look out for between now and my next check up? what do you advise? thank you!
A.
There are objective parameters used to characterise objectively the condition of the gums (bleeding index, depth of the pockets under the gums, bone levels surrounding the teeth) and a “basic periodontal (gum) examination” (BPE) that most dentists know, which contain codes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) used to classify and monitor the gums. In your case either your previous dentist was overly concerned or your current dentist is overlooking something or you have improved. If you are not convinced with the explanations (“everything is fine Sir”) ask specific questions (is there any signs of bone loss in the radiographs? do I have any signs of bleeding? are all my pockets normal?). If still you are not happy with the answers I advise you to request a second opinion.
There are objective parameters used to characterise objectively the condition of the gums (bleeding index, depth of the pockets under the gums, bone levels surrounding the teeth) and a “basic periodontal (gum) examination” (BPE) that most dentists know, which contain codes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) used to classify and monitor the gums. In your case either your previous dentist was overly concerned or your current dentist is overlooking something or you have improved. If you are not convinced with the explanations (“everything is fine Sir”) ask specific questions (is there any signs of bone loss in the radiographs? do I have any signs of bleeding? are all my pockets normal?). If still you are not happy with the answers I advise you to request a second opinion.
Dr Jose Zurdo
Mall Dental Care
Pall Mall, Manchester, M2 4DU
Web: www.malldental.com Tel: 0161 830 7300
