Problem with My Gums

I worked in Dentistry for 15 going on to become a dental hygienist. I would tell you to stop the peroxide rinsing. That is only to be done on a very short term basis. It is too hard on the gum tissue and over a long period of time with deteriorate the enamel on the teeth. If you are brusing and flossing regularly you don't need the peroxide. Now not going to the dentist is a big " NO, NO" but we all go through that for a number of different reason. If you go for regular cleanings (which really aren't bad) then you don't have to face the BIG appointments of deep cleanings and root canals and crowns and such. The dentist and their team are used to seeing patients with anxiety and concerns and are equipped to handle that and help you feel as relaxed as possible. Bite the bullet and go and have a check up and cleaning and xrays. It is likely nothing at all and then again it could be something that needs to be dealt with immediately. If you are having discoloration in that tooth and the gum is sore, it's likely the tooth that is dying and is in need of immediate treatment. But without seeing you and the tooth we can all only speculate.
Dr. Holloway on Del Prado just south of Hancock Bridge Parkway is very good and a really nice guy. I am sure you can get a ton of recommendations on here.
Good luck, you'll be fine and you'll feel a lot better after you get this taken care of.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi B.,
I am a dental hygienist...I think it is great that you take such good care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing daily. You really shouldn't be rinsing with the peroxide as often as you do though. If you noticed a dark area on your gums just below your gumline you should have it checked out. It could be decay, OR, something as simple as built up plaque that has hardened, and been discolored by blood from your gums, and can be seen through your gum tissue. The built up plaque is tarter (calculus). It is just regular old plaque that has calcified and is now stuck to your tooth. If that is the case it is removed very easily. Cleanings are relativly simple and should be done every 6 months unless you have problems and need to go more often. If you are worried about this then you should go as soon as possible to be sure that if there is something wrong, it can be fixed. After all, if you found a lump in your breast...would you wait to go have it checked out? Of course not you would call the doc's office immediately. This most likely is not a serious as that, but why wait until it becomes a bigger problem? Please go and take care of yourself...you are worth the time it takes to go! Good luck! J.

Hi B.,
You may want to call and check with a dentist about your practice of gargling with peroxide. I believe it is too strong to use in that manner and will damage your teeth and gums, often causing a gray discoloration and possible odor if the gums have been damaged. It may seem fine at the time your doing it, but the damage can long lasting. While peroxide is a germicide (kills germs) it is suppose to only be used topically. It is not even to be used on deep cuts or wounds because it can cause tissue damage and death of healthy cells. It should never be placed into the mouth especially at full strength (brown bottle). There are uses for peroxide in the correct dilution with the correct form of application. I know dentist visits can be scary, but your smile is yours forever and I know with how diligent you are that you want to keep it nice. I would let your dentist know about your fears and ask him to take it slow and easy. You may opt for sedation if needed. Good luck!
A.

I used to feel like I was going to "confession" when I went to the dentist. I would have to confess it's been 5-10 years since my last visit, etc.

I have such terrible anxiety left over from childhood, my hands start to sweat when I walk in the dentist's building and smell that smell.

I just want to say that I get nitrous oxide for teeth cleaning and any dental work. It has helped me so much. I "almost" look forward to going to the dentist and I go pretty regularly now. You can do this. Check around with your peers and make an appt with someone that they recomend.

Good Luck,
LaurieK
www.mymonavie.com/LaurieK

Hi, i do think you should see a dentist. Your teeth are a direct relation to your body in so many ways. By this i mean, some people can get heart disease if they don't take care of their teeth throughout their life. There are studies that show the correlation. I used to hate going and put it off as much as i could, but now i realize it's one of the most important things you can do for yourself. If you need a good dentist office, i can tell you that Norma Applebaums office (Adult Dentistry of SWFLA) on del Prado in cape coral is by far one of the most relaxing, and caring offices I have found. They make sure you are comfortable and never in any pain. In fact, when i first went to get my teeth cleaned, they used some rinse to numb my gums and i never felt a thing! I always get the nitrous gas when i have something more major done. Check it out if you're looking for a dentist office with that "at home" feeling. And good luck!!

I think it's time you go see a perodontist,(gum specialist) what happens is that the gum line creates pockets between the teeth and the gum and food is able to get in there and that is probably where the foul smell is coming from, if left untreated, it can become gingivitis which is a disease that eats away at the bone holding your teeth to your gums. It is all treatable, I have been going to a periodontist since I was 15 years old, (I am now 57) and I still go every three months to clean my teeth ( a deep cleaning). Don't be afraid to go to the doctor, be afraid of loosing your teeth.!!!!

Hello,
I have worked in a dental office for many years and am looking forward to going to school to be a dental hygienist. It is important that you have routine dental cleanings because as someone else stated there are studies that have shown where gum disease and heart problems are related. You could be experiencing a couple of things. This could be a particle of food that has gotten lodged in your gum that maybe flossing has just pushed up further or it could be as serious as you may be getting gum disease. I can recommend a wonderful dentist that is the most gentle one I've ever known. She is female and around the Florida mall area she does provide nitrous and other things that may help calm you for your visit. I would definatly make an appointment somewhere the longer you go without more damage could happen and the more severe a repair may become. Until you do warm salt water rinses several times a day will help and don't use peroxide for a while. If you do use peroxide it should be deluted but you should try Listerine's pre-brush mouthwash, it has peroxide in it for whitening and germ killing and is safe to use before each brush. Advil or any ibuprofen will help with any pain or soreness you might be having because it eases the pain as well is an anti-inflamitory for any swelling the gum tissue may have. Hope this helps.

I am also a dentist phobic. I have considered "sedation dentistry". You might want to check into it as well. If you decide to go that route, please let me know how it went. ____@____.com

As a person who has seen the dentist too many times in my life (was born with weak enamel from mom taking anti-bodics when she was pregnant with me)to remember, it sounds like the smell could be an infection or decay. Have you ever had work done on that tooth? Sometimes when you have a crown or a filling decay can get underneath the tooth and cause that distict smell. I would be happy to recommend you to the best dentist I have ever met. It took me years to find him! He so nice and super gentle. He would be upset if he ever thought he hurt you! I'd be happy to give you the number to his office.

I am a dental hygienist and from what you described, it could be a couple of things. First, if you haven't been to the dentist that much, you may be overdue for a professional cleaning. Plaque can form below the gumline out of the reach of a toothbrush and floss and will eventually calcify. This calcified plaque can turn dark and cause a gum infection because it is loaded with bacteria. The dangerous thing about neglecting professional care, is that when you finally start to have symptoms of gum disease, it may be advanced.
The second possible thing may be a cavity on the tooth at the gumline, which may look dark. Usually, though, you would notice the tooth being sensitive to sweets or cold. If the cavity was a hole, it could trap food and plaque, which would cause a bad odor also.
There are good dentists out there, but ask your friends who they go to and trust and are comfortable with. Find out if the dentist offers some type of sedation such as Nitrous Oxide, which will help you relax and get your dental treatment.
Hope this helps you!
S.

its bacteria builing up under your gum line. You really should go to the dentist, have a check up and a cleaning. You might want to go and get yourself a waterpik, and use it eveynight. Use a 50/50 solution of peroxide and water in it. An electric toothbrush, such as sonic care is also great for getting rid of bacteria,,,In Walmart last weekend, I noticed they had a battery powered one for $35.00,,,a great deal, the rechargeable ones run about $90-$100.