Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: rebelyell on March 09, 2015, 09:29:07 AM
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Am having real trouble with receding gums causing gum disease. Only flared up last year despite six monthly dentist visits and am now obsessed with the idea that all my teeth will fall out. Last night I noticed some kind of access around a back tooth and now have emergency appointment. Went to hygienist two weeks ago and same thing happened last time I went.
Just need moral support really! Despite teeth am doing quite well on half tablet of progynova and 10mg of Citalopram a day.
Health anxiety is the bane of my life. I just thought meno was a few hot flushes...
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I just thought meno was a few hot flushes...
I know the feeling!
Hope you get the help you need at the dentist. Not sure how easy it is to send moral support via the internet, but I'm doing my best ;)
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Hi
I was just about to post something about teeth when I read your post. I am 8 months into a surgical menopause and I have noticed in the last couple of weeks all my teeth are sore and aching. I feel like they are all loose and really annoying. I visit my dentist
every six months so this visit this week will be interesting. Anyone else have these problems or experiences.
Winnie.
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Yes. My gums have started receding in the last year or two. It's loss of collagen formation from lack of estrogen. You can take some heart rebelyell. My mother began having extreme gum recession after surgical menopause. They told her dire things about tooth loss etc.
she became super diligent ( but not obsessive) about tooth care. Regular brushing flossing etc.
now she's 73 has every one if her teeth still firmly attached and a nice white smile :)
Tara
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My teeth are always sore - I think it is the clenching. :-\ I am forever trying to find ways to de-stress.
I have had problems with my gums recently. I have a crown where food gets stuck down the side. Even lettuce. After a patch of corsodyl (yuk).
I have gone back to my old way of brushing - I brush all surfaces thoroughly with a gentle round and round movement, then do the same with plain water to rinse them. For a while, I was leaving the toothpaste on as I had read that leaving the fluoride on was more important, but I had noticed that the plaque was coming back too soon and making my gums sore. You can always put a bit on when you have finished. I use floss, carefully once a week, otherwise it upsets the crown again.
I have always had problems with my gums receding. Dentists are quite happy to tell you this, but offer no solution, in my experience. I put it down to having a load of fillings in my late teens, and overbrushing (scrubbing) as a result.
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Gum problems are common with the menopause. Mine have improved since I started taking Q10. I also change my toothpaste as many now are very abrasive but I don't think the chemicals in them are good for the gums. Perhap try one that is gentler, such as sensodyne daily care gel. My mouth has been generally less sore since changing to this.
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My gums stopped bleeding when I started HRT.
Try a toothpaste without Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Much more gentle on your mouth and gums.
Good luck at the dentist. I hope it all goes well.
Honeyb
x
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Thank-you everybody, this is excellent moral support.
I had hysterectomy when I was 40 - am 54 now - due to severe endometriosis. Kept my ovaries but suspect I should have started oestrogen sooner than last year. But nobody tells you anything - endometriosis wasn't even around when I first had it!
Will report back after dentist. Anything less than full set of false teeth will be a result in my catastrophising world!
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Back from dentist. Tooth is infected and am on course of antibiotics - no alcohol. :( Options are removal and have a gap [but already have a gap next to it so would have no teeth at very back one side] or root canal which might or might not save tooth, or implants. Implant is best route but as have gum disease on some teeth due to receding gums that might not be possible.
Bloody menopause! Have already lost loads of weight from Citalopram upsetting my stomach, and now too nervous to eat! And I was skinny to start with!
Why is it not possible to do what my DH does and put it all in proportion? Am not dying. Children are doing well. He is not dying. Have no money worries and House of Cards is back on Netflix.
Am just anxious wreck since meno started...
Any advice??
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Back from dentist. Tooth is infected and am on course of antibiotics - no alcohol. :( Options are removal and have a gap [but already have a gap next to it so would have no teeth at very back one side] or root canal which might or might not save tooth, or implants. Implant is best route but as have gum disease on some teeth due to receding gums that might not be possible.
Bloody menopause! Have already lost loads of weight from Citalopram upsetting my stomach, and now too nervous to eat! And I was skinny to start with!
Why is it not possible to do what my DH does and put it all in proportion? Am not dying. Children are doing well. He is not dying. Have no money worries and House of Cards is back on Netflix.
Am just anxious wreck since meno started...
Any advice??
No advice, but bucket loads of sympathy and empathy.
I had a hell of a time on Citalopram - never again!
I also have receeding gums (have done for years, and I'm only just 45) and am struggling with every little worry at the moment. Had terrible health anxiety in the Autumn which seemed to disappear but has morphed into generally feeling fragile and overwhelmed.
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Thanks Honorsmum - every woman I speak to who is over a certain age says they are struggling in some way. Anxiety is the worst side effect I think for most people.
I know what you mean about citalopram - I am four months in on low dose - they have stopped the actual panic attacks but I hate the flat feeling they give. It's alright not been down, but I would like to get the occasional up to make it worthwhile!
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Don't dismiss the root canal rebelyell. I have had 3 over the years as I am very prone to infected roots. Of the 3 only one has failed, after several years, and I had to have an extraction. The first one is still going strong after nearly 40 years. Best to save the tooth, if you can, as you have still got a long way to go.
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Thanks rosebud - I will ask the implant dentist about root canal first. If nothing else it is way, way cheaper!!
You lot are brilliant, and really soothe me at times like this.
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I LOVE my implants. But they cannot be offered under the UK NHS because they are seen as 'cosmetic' unless caused by accident. The Dental Surgeon explained that the jaw needs teeth, chewing, slight movement in order to remain healthy. Without tooth action the gums recede = problems. The Surgeon took X-rays of my jaw line to make sure that it was stable enough to accept the implants.
So now I have 3. The lower left requires a lot of daily care as it does collect debris due to a deep gum so lots of Tip-ee use. I HATE toothpaste :sick02: so it is hard work, a lot of debris needs removing from that lower one as well as the partner in the top jaw which gets food stuck behind it ::).
DO NOT allow anyone to talk you into having the whole implant process in a day. One needs to got through the process slowly to allow the bone in the jaw line to 'accept' the what is a foreign body. My procedures took 8-9 months each but can take longer. Once the titanium rod is implanted the jaw needs time to heal. It is easier at this stage to remove the implant should it be necessary, rather than when the whole procedure is done.
If the gums recede there is more chance of infectoin/abscess formation. Good dental hygiene before implants is essential and the Surgeon will advise. Only a certain % of Dentists are qualified in this procedure, initially I had 1 Surgeon who visited my Dentist who is so intrigued that he took the Course himself …….. so he is now qualified to perform the procedure/s at his Practice.
Over brushing doesn't cause gums to recede ;) … it's lack of jaw movement apparently.
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My root canal work over the years has been fine and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
Hubby has lost teeth on one side and has a small plate that looks really good. Would that be possible for you.
Think we all hate going to the desist to be honest so well done for even getting through the door. My daughter is going to get a crown fitted soon and I go with her for moral support.....that's a laugh ....I'm a very good actress though ::)
Honeybun
X
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Teeth need to be really healthy before crown is fitted otherwise infection can settle underneath. I had root canal work done and 1 of those tooths is now an implant ::)
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It's a back tooth CLKD and all her other teeth are just fine.
She has had loads of dental work done over the years as her teeth were so muddled. It's amazing what they can do...pulling teeth into position and turning them around. She had the lot and now has lovely straight teeth.
Honeybun
X
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There wasn't the technology when I was a lass ::) not even braces. The trick then was to remove teeth to allow others to move into their spaces, which left me with lots of crooked teeth which are *so* hard to clean behind >:(.
I was offered braces at age 58 ;D
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She spent over two years in braces. Even was sent for a CT scan to see if the teeth that needed moved could be.
I chose to send her to the maxio facial unit at hospital rather than letting our dentist do it.
It was the right decision as they did a great job.
Honeybun
X
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OUCH ……… however, the work done now should help keep the gums healthy in the future!
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Thanks for the detail ladies! CKLD - am not even considering the whole thing in one day. DH has an implant and it took around 6 months for the whole procedure. I have a consultation next week so will let you know the verdict. A root canal might be an option to start with, but implants are probably the way to go long term.
Only advantage of this tooth business is it leaves no time for heart attack/stroke/bowel cancer worries!! ::)
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Oh I had anxiety before the first set of treatments ::) - but my initial Surgeon was so good and instilled confidence, plus my Dentist was keen to learn. There are adverts in the national Press which suggest having teeth removed and replaced with implants …….. but sometimes the teeth may not require removal ::)
Do let us know how you get on! Do you go to the same Practice as your DH?
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Am going to a different practice as DH had treatment about 8 years ago. Am going to place recommended by my dentist, in whom I have great faith. Don't have to proceed unless I want to.
Just hope the amoxycillin doesn't upset me too much over the next few days... Am away on business this week and can't bear being poorly on my own in a hotel.
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Perhaps a LIVE yoghurt once you've finished the Course, helps to reline the gut ;)
Are you staying far from home?
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Too far to come home. But coped last week with two stays away.
Used to stay away all the time. Have become total wimp recently!
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Not a wimp, we become 'home birds' ;). I love days away, love coming home to my bath and bed :-*
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Over brushing doesn't cause gums to recede ;) … it's lack of jaw movement apparently.
So I need to talk more? ;D
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Yes please ;D ………. I talk in my sleep ;) apparently :-X :P
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That made me smile - hopefully smiling will help too :)
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Yep - smiling uses lots more muscles than frowning apparently ;) Can anyone whistle by the way ……. I've forgotten how :-X
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Found this recently - it kind of sums up how we are encouraged to spend our lives:
During an interview the Dalai Lama was asked what surprises him the most in life, his response was quite mind altering.
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.â€
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It's similar to the culture of taking selfies ……. people taking photos rather than living 'in the moment' and enjoying the view!
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I have just had to have another tooth extracted today - didn't know til I got to dentist that they would do this! This is the third tooth that has broken and the second one to be removed in a matter of months. What's left of another tooth may also have to be removed at some point. Does menpause also cause weakness in teeth? I get told at my appointments that I have good dental hygiene so why all the problems with the actual teeth?
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Reducing or cutting out sugar, including more natural sugars has radically changed the health of my teeth and gums. It won't change the damage already done, receding gums, resulting in sensitivity, or replace missing teeth, but I haven't needed any dental treatment for several years. My teeth and gums are not deteriorating as they were before. If I do have sugar, my gums do feel irritated. My young dentist virtually pats me on the head for being a good girl!
He made up a mouth guard, after being contacted by my chiropractor, because I developed a clicky jaw, which became extremely uncomfortable especially when eating. I have to wear it at night, which I hated at first, but doesn't bother me now.
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When I paid into Denplan I didn't 'need' treatment for several years - 3 I think from memory. However, when I changed Dentists I was told that a lot required sorting out! we felt that they were taking our money + the money by not doing any treatment :-X …….. I had suffered pain and irritation in the interim but had been told that no treatment was 'needed' :-\
How are you this evening Cerylks?
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In agony at the moment :( It hasn't stopped bleeding yet - only a little though. Was done at 11.15am. Hopefully will ease overnight. Worried about dry socket though as had this before. Barely coped with it last time.
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there will be seepage which can seem more than it is as a little blood 'goes' a long way ::)
You need to take some pain relief?
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Thanks CLKD. It is only a little bleeding now and guess you are right about goes a long way. Yeh def not too bad actually. Pain relief: am taking neurofen every 3.5 hours (can't quite stretch to the 4 hourly...)
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That's OK there's a little lee-way with Nurofen. I usually take 2, then 90 mins later another single dose if required …… then go onto 3/4 hourly as necessary. It's not knowing how long the pain is likely to last that gets me panicking about it. When I've had a tooth out I also swill with boiled, cooled, salted water and sleep with a flannel on my pillow - in case ::)
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Am waiting til tomorrow to start the salt water treatment - I always do this as much as possible - scared of infection! Thanks for tip on flannel - think I may need that tonight.
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I dribble anyway - another sign of laxity of muscles :-X the edges of my mouth are always damp or sore :-\
Sleep tight!
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I am a dentist's daughter and my father said you should always do everything you can to save a tooth - root canal is usually very successful but it may be worth checking if the dentist does a lot of them as it is often specialised these days.
My local NHS dentist recently said I should have one of my molars out when it gives problems (there's barely anything left of it) but I took myself off to a specialist and, yes, it's going to cost a lot but I'd rather save the tooth than have a holiday. Being able to chew your food is very important and once you start loosing teeth it compromises the other teeth around it. I'm off tomorrow to see this rather 'gorgeous' dentist to have my root canal done!!!! DG x
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Hope the appt. goes well DG! I have a 'gorgeous' dentist too ;)
That was why I had implants - to stop the gum receding and making remaining teeth lose ……..
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Interesting Dancingirl - the tooth concerned sits at the back on its own as had a tooth ou about 7 years ago. The dentist who took it out said if I had dealt with first infection then he could have root canaled it. But had been going to lovely family dentist for years until he retired and he assured me things were fine!
So tooth has sat on its lonesome and gums have receded badly. Feel badly let down as last June my dentist said all fine, then in November a locum dentist tells me gums have now receded and caused pockets of decay in three places. Have lived in fear since then of losing all teeth and am even more obsessive than I used to be about hygiene.
Am going to private specialist next week so will check out root canal option first.
Thanks for all the advice!
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My teeth hurt across the tops somehow. I gave them a very good clean, Tee-pe brush and tidy up yesterday but as I sit here they hurt. The bottom 4 in the front ………
I am due a thorough hygienist appt. but anxiety has stopped me making the appt. :-\
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CKLD - I wouldn't put off seeing the hygienist as they will advice you about this pain as it may be to do with receding gums exposing part of your teeth that don't have dentine. Receding gums will cause sensitivity and keeping them really clean will be very important - using toothpaste that reduces the sensitivity will help.
Get the advice now to prevent long term problems. Dg x
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Hi
the sensitivity tends to be down to porous enamel and not the dentin being exposed at the side.
Most of the toothpastes are basically plugging up the enamel in our teeth ;D
The gum would have to recede a long way down the side of the tooth crown for the dentin to show directly without having a problem with the tooth like decay.
I still think a lot of hygienist/dentist cause part of the problem with their picking and poking of the gum line without remedial protection on any cleaned / exposed areas. If the patient has buildup thats caused the gum to recede then dentist chips away the buildup then the area is left exposed for further damage to plaque and acid. Treatment of these opened areas is normally restricted to a quick polish with fluoride paste :(
:-*
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Yep another one here with bad teeth and receding gums! For the last 3/4 years it's been worse and for the last year or so much worse! I've been at the dentists at least every month since before Christmas! Ive even been accused of having an affair with my dentist ;D
I've always said/thought that having the kids took the goodness from my teeth?
I do sympathise as I am also terrified of dentists, not the injections (could have them all day long)! I'm petrified of them not working and being able to feel the work being done :o
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The bottom line is, we need keep up a good brushing and flossing regime that removes plaque before it builds up. Plaque building up around the gum line will cause gum disease and gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss. Inflamed gums due to the build up of plaque will cause bad breath!! :-\
Receding gums are often to do with age and oestrogen deficiency. My new dentist is insisting I use those little brushes that you insert between the teeth along the gum line to ensure that plaque and food deposits don't cause further recession and decay along the gum line.
I have to say I'm quite obsessional about cleaning my teeth these days. I saw some horrors when I was a teenager working with my father in his dental practise - I once had to hold a women's head while he removed her 10 remaining teeth due to gum disease - her teeth had all become loose and the smell of the gum disease was truly awful.
I urge you to brush and floss well ladies. Dg xxxx
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>:( : flossing should be banned - it's not nice all that spit running everywhere ::)
I try to remember to use those tee-pe brushes regularly. I have a sharp pointy thing too as I have to remove food after every meal ……… :-X …….. I HATE toothpaste though, hate the taste, the texture, the mess :-\ !