<p>Jolynne - no I have not tried the whitening product…although it looks interesting.
I too noticed a change in tooth color with Oramd due to the elimination of whitening toothpastes. So I’ve been using crest whitestrips - and they work reasonably well.<br>
Might think about this though</p>
<p>Audiophile, thank you for your opinion. </p>
<p>Yes, the peridontist measured my “pockets” and most were 3s with an occasional 4. When I told him that i want my 60-year-old gums to last for another 40 years, he said not to worry; I have the gums of a 19-year-old. (Wish the rest of me were that young!!) </p>
<p>I am seeing the regular dentist on July 10 for a routine cleaning and look-see, so I will ask her then what she thought she saw on my x-rays. She is a new dentist for me so I’m still a bit skeptical about her. (I was with my old dentist for 20 years.) (And I’ve put two of his children through college . . . $$$$) </p>
<p>While I do want someone more conservative in their treatment and less expensive than my old guy, I also want someone competent. I’ll see what she has to say for herself.</p>
<p>But thank goodness I don’t need any periodontal treatment!!!</p>
<p>Thanks, toneranger. I’m wondering about that OraMD whitening product; maybe I’ll try it & let you know. I noticed w/in one day a slight change w/out my ordinary whitening toothpastes. I’ve tried an at-home, 5 min whitening kit and threw in some flouride rinse too (helps strengthen teeth, I’ve heard).</p>
<p>Whew- S just went in for his two week follow up. The gum graft is looking great, so we are all happy. Four more weeks, and then all will be healed and he can go back to ‘anything goes’ food choices.</p>
<p>That’s great!</p>
<p>Whew!</p>
<p>I went to the dentist today, and since reading this thread I’ve been FREAKED that I had receding gums because of the way they look and because I’ve had really sporadic brushing habits (and zero flossing habits) my whole life. I started brushing twice a day and flossing twice a day in anticipation of being told I needed a tissue graft.</p>
<p>I go today, and the lady had to use a water pick to get all the junk off (I think largely because I haven’t had a cleaning in about a year and a half), but didn’t say anything about my gums. AND I have no cavities!</p>
<p>I also have to go back August 4th and get some more cleaning & polishing. But I’m very happy. :)</p>
<p>I will also NEVER skip brushing my teeth again, because:</p>
<p>The hygienist is having my hold the spit-sucky-thingy in my mouth while she’s working. Every time I close my mouth, she pulls it out and has me look, and there are CHUNKS of BLACK crap coming off of my teeth that have been there for God knows how long.</p>
<p>Talk about incentive. ICK.</p>
<p>Glad everything worked out with your S, Karen!!! :)</p>
<p>HGFM - I was at the dentist, too, yesterday for my check-up. A brief history: when I was in my mid 20s, I had to have some deep cleaning done at the periodontist office (there’s a term for it I can’t remember). The periodontist told me to not even bother with going through with the procedure (three visits) unless I swore I’d take better care of my teeth and gums. He then also told me I needed to have my teeth cleaned three times a year vs. two, as I tend to build up plaque easily. So I did this faithfully for many, many years, and kept everything in good health. Every now and then I’d have some gum issues (swollen and slightly bleeding at brushing), but I’d get on top of it and all would be OK.</p>
<p>Several years ago I started using an electric toothbrush (either Oral-B or Braun). Things got to the point where I was able to cut back to twice yearly (YEA!). Have been doing this for many years now, and have been doing OK. A year or so ago, I switched electric toothbrushes to the Oral-B (the latest model to come out), and when I saw the hygienist yesterday (I hadn’t seen this one in a couple of years) she said my gums looked better than she’d ever seen them. She asked me if I’d been using the antibacterial mouthwash they’d given me six months ago (I had not), thinking my improved gum health was due to that. I told her no, and she was even more amazed that the Oral-B was making such a difference to my gums.</p>
<p>It made me feel good to know that I can contribute positively to my health with such an easy step… oh, by the way, I DO floss every night (OK… 90% of the time). So, do the experiment (get the electric toothbrush - use a 20% off coupon and get it at Bed, Bath and Beyond) but don’t tell them at the dentist office until you see them next time. I’ll bet they notice a huge difference and comment on what you’re doing right.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip, teri! I’ll definitely try it.</p>
<p>As for the build-up…she said that the worst of it was around the bonded retainer that I have on my bottom front four teeth.</p>
<p>However, she commented several times about, “You have such beautiful teeth!” “Your orthodontist did an amazing job!” etc.</p>
<p>We were traveling, so I didn’t get a chance to post. At the 6 week post-op check, we heard the lovely words “the graft looks great, you can’t even tell it’s there”. The periodontist is very pleased with the results and so are we. </p>
<p>S is delighted to be eating whatever he wants to- finally! </p>
<p>Thank you all for support.
It was very helpful, and much appreciated.</p>
<p>That’s great, Karen.</p>
<p>I was thinking about this thread. Saw my dental hygenist (very informed) & asked her about a number of things that had been discussed here (mint oil, etc.). She hadn’t heard about the mint oil, but said some of her patients w/receeding gums benefited from a toothpaste w/tree tea oil in it. Also, she recommended a Water Pic ($30 at Target, very compact). She said this really gets gums clean (even better than flossing) and said the imp thing is to keep it on the low setting, so you don’t drive food particles, etc., deeper into the gums. I’m going to get one of these soon.</p>
<p>This has been really informative!</p>