Saving Loose Teeth - Question and Answer

The question asked below was due to this post on saving loose teeth due to periodontal disease. 

*note, always be under the guidance of a good periodontist when dealing with these issues.
(a good dentist would be defined as one who cares more about your teeth and well-being than his own pocket book - one who will do what is right for you and not what is right for his / her bottom line).  Yes, It's not always easy to find a doctor like that!

Question

Hi David:

I am a customer of yours, (Bought your Gum Disease book a long time ago), and need your opinion.

Here's my situation (condensed version):

I just moved to another state, so I had to find a new dentist. (FYI: Been with my old dentist for almost ten years, and he never did a pocket test on me.)

Was lucky enough to find a great one, but in doing so, I was given some very bad news.

I was given a pocket test, and found out that I am in the early stages of periodontal disease.   At this juncture, I don't have any loose teeth, but they did find a few 4's, a couple 5's, and a couple of 7's.  The rest are 2's and 3's.

So, they recommended that I see a Periodontist.  I just consulted with one, and he recommended that I have gum surgery.   He mentioned that the surgery is done in quadrants, 1 through 4, doing one quadrant per visit.   Surgery for each quadrant is approximately $1200.

I also have an issue with one my wisdom teeth (Yes I still have all of them, and I am 61 years old).  None of them hurt or really bother me, but every time I floss between the back gum of one of wisdom teeth, my floss smells bad.  (no bleeding)  I mentioned this to my new dentist, the hygienist, and the periodontist, and they all said that I might be better off having that tooth pulled out, but that I should consult with an oral surgeon to get his opinion on things.

With all that said, do you think the hydro-floss would help in my situation?

Will it really help to get my pocket numbers down, and maybe help to get rid of the smell that's coming from behind my wisdom tooth?

Thank you in advance for your help,

Name Witheld to insure privacy

Answer:

Hi (name withheld for privacy reasons),  

The HF reduced my pockets to the point that my dentist said I didn’t need the expensive treatment she had previously recommended. (which also was to be done in quadrants)  

I’ve talked to a lot of people over the years and the HF has worked for a majority of them. 

Will it work for you? One can never be sure with human health.  Each human body is different and works a little differently.   So there are no absolute 100% guarantees on your outcome.  

You just wrote that you are facing $4800 dollars worth of treatment plus a pulled wisdom tooth and I suppose an implant - that will probably cost you another $2000 or more dollars.  

So, what do you think?   Do you think it is worth it to get a $100 hydrofloss and try it out for 30 days to see if your pockets decrease

and perhaps maybe even the smell problem dissipates?  

If so, how much money would you be saving?   And your very own dentist will be able to tell you if those pockets have shrunk.  

The answer to these questions seem obvious to me.  But only you can make your own decisions. 

I hope that made sense?   

Whatever you decide, I would definitely suggest getting 2nd and 3rd opinions from qualified dentists (periodontists preferably)  before having any expensive dental work done.  

-David

Sincerely,  

David Snape  

Get Your Free Guide To Stopping Bad Breath

Get Your Free Guide To Stopping Gum Disease

Does Getting Old Mean That You Must Lose Teeth?

No, it does not.  Unfortunately, many people have the ill conceived notion that it is 'normal' to lose teeth with age.

The primary cause of tooth loss is gum disease.  Over time, gum disease does more and more damage, making it more likely to lose a tooth.

This perception that lost teeth must come with age is erroneous.  The real problem is gum disease.  Yet, most people do not know they have it.

On the other hand, dental professionals often say that 75% of people have some gum disease right now.  That's 3 out of every 4 people!   Do you really think you are in the minority 25%?  Are you sure?

It pays to educate yourself about this problem.

The book What You Should Know About Gum Disease can help you to understand what this is and what you can start to do about it.    (price alert: at the time of this writing, you can get this book NEW for as low as $9 here - but that might not be the case by the time you read this!).

You know, it is a strange thing when you have people believing that it is natural to lose teeth with age.  This is one of those big misconceptions that seem to plague our human race.   Ignorance is not bliss.

You can also get this free guide on conquering gum disease.  

Whatever you do,  try do either educate yourself or take action right away.

Why not do your utmost to save / keep your teeth for your whole life instead of thinking that you must lose them?




Sincerely,   

David Snape  

 Get your free guide on   stopping gum disease

What If I Have A Loose Tooth As An Adult?

Answer:  Adult teeth should not be loose.  They can become loose due to trauma (a blow, hit or accident).  However, if that is not the case, there is a good chance you have Advanced gum disease.

In any case, if you have a loose adult tooth, please go to a periodontist immediately.  It may be possible to save that tooth.   Of course, that means you need to make sure that you find a periodontist who WANTS to save your teeth. 

In other words:  You want to avoid a periodontist who is quick to pull a tooth and place an implant.  Find one who wants to save your tooth.  They are highly trained and know HOW to save teeth.

Please be conservative about choosing the implant route.  Find out what your options are, even if it means visiting more than one doctor. 

Preventing Loose Teeth Due To Gum Disease

Please don't make the mistake of thinking you don't have gum disease.  There is a very high probability that you do!   Even if you don't have a loose tooth, it is still HIGHLY probable that you have gum disease.

How can I say that and be correct?   Ask any dental professional about how many people have gum disease.   Most will say about 75% of people.  That is 3 out of every 4.  

Do you really think you are one of the few who does not have gum disease?   The odds are against that!  

The problem is that most people don't know they have it.   Go to a periodontist if you don't believe me and ask them.  Your regular dentist isn't necessarily focused on gum disease.  Therefore, you could have some damaging your dental health for a very long time before it is noticed and treated!

It's in your best interest to visit a periodontist.  That is their focus and they will be good at telling you if you have some or not! 


Prevention

A key indicator of gum disease is periodontal pocket depths.  `Your dentist or hygienist can measure these for you and tell you.  Generally speaking, above 3mm is considered bad.

What shrinks these pockets.  Better home care can really help.  In fact,  ask a dentist, home care is crucial to your dental well being.    They can only clean your teeth a few times per year.  But what you do at home is the most crucial part.   They know it too! 

Always be under the supervision of your periodontist and ask if it is ok if you try this:  

Try using this:   The HydroFloss   You can read about why it is the best at that link.  But, for now, trust me:  It is the best one out there! 

Use this machine twice a day (two tanks per use) for a month and then go back your periodontist or dentist or hygienist and have them measure your pockets.  That's how you will know if it worked for you or not.

Nothing works 100% of the time for 100% of the people. But this has worked for many other people, including myself. 

Give it a try and see if it will help you. 

If you have questions about what you have read here.  Give us a call at 1-888-586-6849.   Or contact us on skype. 

In either case, and no matter what you do or decide to do - Take massive action to save that tooth or those teeth.    Remember, always be under the care of your periodontist.  This is very important.  A loose tooth is serious.  Your first step is to work with a periodontist to try and save your loose tooth or teeth. 

Read more about the Hydro Floss

Customer Reviews


Sincerely,

David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
 1-888-586-6849
Author: What You Should Know About Gum Disease


PS:  Get your free guides on fighting gum disease and stopping bad breath

Are Your Adult Teeth Loose?

Please, if you have any adult teeth that are loose, go visit a periodontist right away.  Barring trauma or injury, a loose tooth probably indicates that you have some more advanced stages of gum disease.

This ain't gingivitis anymore Toto.  

Seriously,  aside from an injury or accident, adult teeth really should not become loose.  The probability is quite high that you have gum disease.  Please go to a periodontist for proper diagnosis.  


Gum disease is a topic that few people bother to talk or think about.  That is a shame because it affects about 75% or 3 out of every 4 people - according to many dental professionals.

So, why is it that everyone ignores this problem that causes the loss of teeth and the need for dentures or implants?    That's a question that I have been trying to answer for a very long time. 

The truth is, I do not know why people ignore it so much! 


Saving Your Teeth

If you could save your teeth and keep them for a lifetime of good use, wouldn't that be the absolute best?   Why settle for dentures or implants.

If you want to save your teeth, you need to understand what gum disease is and what you can do to control it and stop its progress.  You need to understand and figure out what it takes for you, personally, to make your gums health again.

For many, probably most people, it is possible to stop the progress of gum disease and make your gums healthy again.   The trick is knowing what it takes for your personally! 

Objective Measure

Because the amount of work required varies from person to person, you need a measure or standard to figure out what is working.  You need to be able to determine if you are making progress or not. 

Without this objective measure, it is just too much like guessing.   Fortunately, an objective measure DOES exist.    If you learn anything here, this might be the most important factor for you to understand. 

Generally speaking, most dental practitioners will say your gums are healthy when your periodontal pocket depths are at 3mm or below. 

Now, you just need to have your dentist or hygienist measure where you are now.  (They should already have these measurements in your records.)  And you simply check this against future measurements to determine whether:

1. What you are doing at home is working or not.

2. You are headed in the right directions

3. When you finally achieve the goal of 3mm and below - everywhere in your mouth. 


What Helps? 

There are two important resources that I want to share with you.  Yes, we sell them both here at Toothy Grins Store.   

1.  The book:  What You Should Know About Gum Disease

2. The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator

You can even get them both together in one package. 


Conclusion

It is definitely not normal to have adult teeth that are loose.  If this is the case for you, please visit a periodontist immediately - if not sooner. 

This is not a problem you want to 'let go'.  If the looseness is due to gum disease (and it likely is), then you do not have much time if you want to save your tooth or teeth.  Go see a periodontist today.   Tip:  Find one that wants to save your tooth / teeth and not one who just wants to pull it / them and give you an implant or dentures! 

I believe you will find the resource links above useful,  you should consider these things carefully.  You should make it a goal to save all of your teeth or as many as you can.   Artificial things are not a perfect substitute for your real, natural teeth.

If you need further information or want to talk further, you can reach me at the above number or  contact me on Skype. 

David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
1-888-586-6849


PS:  Get your free guides on fighting gum disease and stopping bad breath  

Are Your Teeth Worth Saving?

Are Your Teeth Worth Saving?

That sounds like  a strange question, doesn't it?   There are many people who don't worry about their teeth at all.     For example, many young people probably don't give their teeth a second thought.

Others have given up on their teeth.  They know they have big problems but have no idea how to solve them and perhaps cannot afford the expensive solutions that are offered to them.

Or perhaps, a person just lacks the right knowledge and is frustrated for the lack of it.  

Ultimately, it comes down to a simple question:  Do you want to keep your teeth or do you not care?

Yes or No are BOTH valid answers.  There is no 'right' answer.  There is only YOUR answer.

Whichever answer you prefer is fine for you.

Why Did I Ask This Question?

I asked it because if the answer is: "Yes,  my teeth are worth saving", then read on.   If you answered no, then there is no point in spending any more time here.  I want to save you some time if that is the case.

To me, saving teeth means keeping them for a lifetime of good service.  Yes, people do have accidents.   It is less frequent to lose a tooth due to a cavity.   Far and away, the biggest cause of tooth loss is gum disease.

If you want to keep your teeth,  that is the problem you need to focus on. 



"Wait a minute,"  I hear you object.  "I don't have gum disease."   Yes, that is what the vast majority of people think and believe.

The reality is quite different.  Dental professionals tell us that 3 out of every 4 people have gum disease.  That is 75%.

However, as I mentioned before, very few of those people know they have it.   No one has told them they have a problem,  so everything must be ok, right?

Then one day, you are sitting in the dentist's chair and you get the news that you need gum surgery,  you need a tooth pulled and an implant installed, a deep cleaning treatment - or some variation on this theme.

You freak out.  "I'm going to lose a tooth". 

The big question is, can this scenario be prevented? 

The answer is, "Maybe".  But in order to have hope, one must believe in Prevention! 

A Little Stronger, Please?

Let me spell it out for you.  If you are a non-dental professional, this may come as a shock.  Most people are going to lose one or more teeth to gum disease and the majority have no idea this is going to happen to them.

If you don't believe me, ask any dental professional.  They will break the bad news to you further.

But, maybe you can prevent it from happening.  

  Prevention Is The Key

As soon as I mention prevention, people think of brushing and flossing their teeth.  Those activities are very important.  If you have being doing them, great, keep doing it according to your doctor's instructions.     If you haven't been brushing and flossing adequately, then it is time to start.

However,  brushing and flossing are not enough for most people.   (But it is for some).   

Here are three resources for you to investigate:

The book: What You Should Know About Gum Disease: A Layman's Guide to Fighting Gum Disease (also available on kindle). 

The free e-book: How To Stop Gum Disease In 4 Easy Steps

A tool that I have found to be particularly important.  

What Are You Going To Do? 

The dangers are real and they are clear.   The resources above can help to educate you and point you in the right direction.

The idea is to improve your odds of keeping your teeth and avoiding the costly treatments experienced during the process of losing and replacing them.

Think about this:  It is not very often that you come across a dental office or periodontist's office waiting room that isn't full.    What do you think all those people are doing there?

Some of the same principles that help to protect you and fight gum disease are the same ones that can help you to avoid cavities as well.

There are plenty of people willing to help you when you have a problem.   They can replace your teeth, they can do all kinds of treatments. 

But, only you have the power to do something at home.   What you do, every day, at home is the most important thing when it comes to your dental health.   There aren't many, if any, dental professionals that would disagree with that.   You can find one to ask if you don't believe me.

Educate yourself and take action today.

Sincerely

David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
1-888-586-6849

PS:  Prevention is powerful!  This info is free

* this site speaks in general terms only.  For specific questions about your own unique dental health situation, be sure to ask your periodontist or dentist. 

What You Should Know About Gum Disease Part 28 Video

Part 28 of the Book:   What You Should Know About Gum Disease : 

Plaque Is The Enemy

Consistent, daily disruption of plaque is the secret to defeating many dental health problems, including gum disease.

The problem with plaque is that it harbors bacteria that are able to exist in an 'anaerobic' form.  This means that they use a biologically inefficient form of metabolism that leaves acid chemicals as a byproduct.

These waste products can attack your tooth enamel as well as your gum tissue.  The saving grace is that the plaque must remain intact for this to happen.

If the plaque is disrupted and the bacteria underneath are exposed to oxygen, they will die or revert to 'normal' efficient metabolism that does not produce the same harmful waste products.

Plaque will quickly begin to reform as soon as it has been disrupted.   It is believed that in about 24 hours it will have sufficiently regrown to shield the 'bad' bacteria from oxygen to the point that they can rapidly multiply and secrete more and more waste products.

Therefore, the work of disruption must be done daily.

Brushing and Flossing

These are definitely worthwhile plaque disrupting activities.  They should continue to be done.  The question is:  Are they enough?

The answer, I believe, lies in the fact that dental health professionals tell us that about 75% of people have some gum disease right now.   That is a frightening number for sure.  

I believe that it also answers the question about whether brushing and flossing are enough to prevent gum disease.


The Book:  What You Should Know About Gum Disease discusses what this problem is and what else might be helpful to you in your fight to put an end to or prevent this problem that attacks so much of the human race.   You can get your copy of that book here. 

Of course, you should get your regular dental cleanings and work with your dental health professional all the way.   But, if a little knowledge helps you to prevent lost teeth and expensive treatments, then it is more than worth the $20 or so that the book costs.

Whatever the case may be,  this problem definitely afflicts a lot of people.   Most people do not know they are part of the 3 out of every 4 that are affected.  They may not find out until later when the disease progresses to 'noticeable' levels.  But, at that point, the damage has been done.

Why reach that point?   Stop it now.

Sincerely,

David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
1-888-586-6849

PS:  You can also read:  How To Stop Gum Disease in 4 Easy Steps, get it here.

I speak in general terms, specific questions about your unique dental health situation should be directed to your periodontist.  

Part 27

Part 29

What You Should Know About Gum Disease Part 18

The full book

Part 17 

Part 19

The full book

Favored Tool

  

Gum Disease is a Serious Problem For Too Many People

Unfortunately,  too many people suffer from this problem.   Equally unfortunate:  Most of those people do not know they have it!

Since many people do not believe or think they have this problem, they naturally do not do anything about it.   This might lead to gum recession and tooth loss.

Gum disease is considered to be the number one cause of tooth loss.   Replacements, such as implants are quite expensive.  Implants don't always work the first time.  This requires a waiting period and a second try.

The costs are high and who knows what the pain and recovery factors are.   I would prefer to keep my own natural teeth than find out.  You?

Brushing and Flossing

 These are certainly a good idea and should be done daily or at your dentist's recommendation.   However, are brushing and flossing enough?

For some people, they may be all that is needed and they may never develop gum disease.   However, it is a mistake to think that people who have gum disease don't 'take care of their teeth', because that isn't necessarily the truth.

Of course, not brushing and flossing is probably going to help a problem develop.   However, as stated before, dental pros tell us that  75% of people seem to have some gum disease.

In my way of thinking, this says that brushing and flossing are not enough for all people to remain safe from gum disease.  Therefore, while important, they may not be the answer for the majority.

I say that because a lot of people think that if a person has gum disease it means they do not take care of their teeth.    In reality, a person can brush and floss 'religiously' and still develop gum disease.

Don't be fooled by that simple mentality, the problem of gum disease can be a bit more complicated - but not too much so.


Part 17 

Part 19

The full book

Favored Tool


Sincerely, 

David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
 1-888-586-6849

 PS:  Get your free guides on fighting gum disease and stopping bad breath  


This video speaks in general terms only, for specific questions about your unique health situation, direct those question to your doctor.

 

What You Should Know About Gum Disease Part 17

What You Should Know About Gum Disease Part 17

 

Part 18

Part 16

The full book

Favored Tool

Contributing Factors To Gum Disease

- Genetics - Is it really about genetics?   Possibly, this may actually be due to the initial caregiver.  It is unavoidable to get the first oral bacteria from one or more caregivers.   So, if the susceptibility is due to genetics or environment is a debate here as it is in other circles.  

In the end, it really does not matter, does it?   The influence exists and is a contributing factor for gum disease.   Sad and unfair as it seems, there is something to it. 


Control Of Gum Disease

Your power to control gum disease is going to be objectively measured by your periodontal pocket depths.  Generally speaking, most dental healthcare providers will consider your gums healthy when the periodontal pockets are at 3mm and below everywhere in your mouth.

Although,  4mms is not uncommon, you can do better and should strive to do so.  
When the pockets are deeper, the ability of the gum disease causing bacteria to create enough acidic and toxic byproducts to start to erode the gum tissue and supporting bone gets stronger.   

Theoretically, if you can get and keep those pockets down to 3mm and below, you have it under control. 

We say control and not 'cure' because frankly, the bacteria are always present.  It is a matter of 'how' present they are that makes a difference. 

You cannot permanently eradicate those bacteria.  They will come back rapidly.  But you do have a chance to control the size of the bacterial population.     That's where your chance is.

Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, therefore, you should be thinking that avoiding it is a good idea by now.  


Part 18

Part 16

The full book

Favored Tool


David Snape
ToothyGrinsStore.com
1-888-586-6849

PS:  Get your free guides on fighting gum disease and stopping bad breath   

PPS:  my favorite dental health tool

This video speaks in general terms only, for specific questions about your unique health situation, direct those question to your doctor. 

 

What You Should Know About Gum Disease - Part 14

What You Should Know About Gum Disease - A Layman's Guide To Fighting Gum Disease - Part 14 on Video: 

 Part 15



Part 13   top suggested tool

About This Video And Book

 This is the continuation of my reading of the book: What You Should Know About Gum Disease -

In this video we touch on the  differences in qualification regarding general dentists and periodontists.   Sometimes, it is very important to choose the right doctor.

Periodontists have extra training (about two years) and gum health and disease is usually the exact focus of their practice.   If you are looking for a more exacting diagnosis and treatment options, I would suggest that it might be best to visit a periodontist.

That is not to say that the general dentist is not able to treat gum disease, they are.   But perhaps the difference can be highlighted in this analogy:  Would you rather go to a general practitioner or a heart specialist when you have a problem with your heart?

Gum Disease Is Everywhere

The unfortunate and perhaps inconvenient truth is that around 75% of people have some gum disease right now.   Most people want to believe they are in the 25% .  Their eyes will gloss over if you mention gum disease.  They would never imagine that they could be included in the majority of people.  

Unfortunately, dental professionals have given us this 75% number.  One need only ask a dental hygienist and she will be able to tell you just how bad it is.   She sees it every day.  

People are lacking the right information 

Gum disease is simple but it is also very complex.  It is simple to understand what it is, relatively speaking.  But fighting it is a bit more complex. 

You see, every human body is different.   That means it takes a different amount of effort from each person to control this problem to the point that it is no longer causing damage in your mouth.  

Each person is different.  Some people can honestly get away with normal brushing and flossing and they are fine.   Others, need to do a lot more every day to keep their gums healthy. 

Since most people are probably brushing and flossing, it is easy to understand that brushing and flossing, do not work for everyone.   Otherwise, the 75% figure could not exist.  

I have also found that many people just don't undertstand the basic facts about this disease.  If they did, they would certainly have  a better chance of defeating the problem.   In this case, it is really true that ignorance is not bliss!  

I hope that you will now take the time to educate yourself and be better equipped to protect yourself and your family against this problem. 

 Part 13 is available here 

Part 15 here


Sincerely, 

David Snape 
ToothyGrinsStore.com
1-888-586-6849

 PS:  Get your free guides on fighting gum disease and stopping bad breath