Questioned Asked:
Hello there
Mi name is G, I am 31 years old, live in California and I have gum disease. Well. my dentist, a person with terrible NEWS for me all the time, says so. I mean, I have been visiting this office for over a year already and they are still saying that I need surgery for my gums.
It just feels like they just want my money, but how bad it is my situation for real??
I do not bleed. I don’t have bad breath. I’m not missing my teeth and they still say that I need a 2000 thousand dollar procedure. I have done my deep cleaning, I go to have my maintenance every 4 and 6 months. I’m pretty sure, it has to be something else. Will this surgery to help my gums? Thank you David.
I’m waiting to receive your answer.
G from California.
Answer from Dave:
Hi G. Thank you for asking your question. A number or things come to mind. Are any of your teeth loose? Have you had excessive loss of gum tissue (receding gums).
What is the exact purpose of the proposed surgery? What issue are they trying to address specifically?
Here is what I like to say when a question like this comes up: If you are not sure about what your dentist or doctor is recommending – Go get a second, third or even fourth opinion.
I recommend not telling the new doctors what the old one said, and see what their diagnosis is. Afterwards, you can tell them and see if it changes anything for them.
It is well known and has even been studied: If you go to several dentists you are likely to get a DIFFERENT diagnosis from each one.
My tip for picking or staying with a professional: I like to ask a TON of questions. And I observe not only their answer but HOW they answer. If they get frustrated or seem to not have the time to spend with me – then I take that as a sign to get another doctor.
The bottom line in the dental field JUST LIKE ANY OTHER field is that there are relatively good and relatively bad practitioners. You are a consumer and it is your job to make the best choice for yourself. If you do not feel comfortable with a dentist or doctor, you have every right to leave and find another one that you do feel comfortable with. You are under no obligation to accept a treatment plan that you do not want. If you are not sure – go get more opinions from other qualified and licensed dentists, oral surgeons and periodontists.
Since we are talking about gum disease, if your dentist is not a periodontist – consider going to a periodontist or two to get their opinions.
Don’t be afraid to ‘fire’ your dentist. I have done so. And I have spent time finding a new one – meaning that I visited more than one before deciding. Some dentists are more ‘aggressive’ in their treatments and some are more ‘conservative’ – of course I prefer the conservative side.
The bottom line is that you as a dental consumer are the one who makes the decision about who works on your mouth and what they do. Find someone you trust and feel comfortable with and you will be happier in the long run. Ask lots of questions and observe the behavior of the dental professional carefully before making any decisions.
That’s my best advice on this matter – good luck!
- David Snape
PS: I hope that was helpful to you, if not, please feel free to ask a follow up question.
Get your free report: How To Stop Gum Disease at : http://www.HowToSTopGumDisease.com
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David Snape is the author of the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease. ISBN: 978-0981485508 – Available online at most book retailer sites. It can also be ordered by most book stores.
Disclaimer: This post is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this post.
thank You David.
I will follow ur advise in my next visit next week for my maintenance.
What they say is, 4 of my back molars have pokets of 5 mm or 6 mm
What i understood: they want to cut the extra gum tissue from those pockets( for some reason after my deep cleaning they still not reattaching ) and prevent future bacteria acumultaion or plaque deposit if they still open that can happend.
Now , we are talking about : time of recovery, stiches, anesteshia and pain and trauma for me… dentist is not a pleasent place for me. belive me.
Im more optimistic about my options, Im pretty sure is i keep doing muy flush every day, doing my cleanind every 6 month, or 4 month, and my cheak ups, surgery is not my only option, and my gums can back to normal with out cut them off, has to be something else what they are not even talking about, im pretty sure, some treatment exist no so aggressive and invasive to control 4 deep pockets… i would like to try, i will like to know, but they are not putting all the cards for me, thats my feeling.
Hmm, I’m always one for following instinct, especially for something like that.
4 to 6 mm doesn’t sound so bad to me. Anything above 3 is a problem – but so many people have 4s that it is not out of the ordinary.
I can not say you shouldn’t follow your doctor’s advice, but now that you have revealed this, I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion.
I guess for me personally, If it were me – I would feel very much like you do.
I have a friend who has cracked his tooth, he went to the dentist and was give vicadin, which is not working, in fact the swelling worsened, Is there something else he can do?
Hi Cathy,
It seems to me the most important thing is to address the cracked tooth. Is the dentist waiting for the swelling to subside? Then what is the plan from there?
If you are asking me what to do about the pain beyond Vicadin – I’m afraid that I don’t have anything helpful.
However, I will comment that teeth should not crack – it is a sign that they are weak. And contrary to what many believe – my opinion is that it has nothing to do with age.
It has to do with how much attention we pay to the pH balance in our mouths on a daily basis – after each meal, etc.
It is really simple chemistry – when the mouth is acidic – the teeth will become weaker – when the mouth is closer to pH 7 or above – the teeth have a chance to strengthen via the natural mechanism of remineralization that occurs via saliva….
It’s ufortunately that we suffer from a diet of coffee, energy drinks and bottled, processed fruit juices.
Chewing xylitol gum, using an pH balanced mouthwash, after meals and before bed and any time it is needed would also be helpful.
A little knowledge could preven the pain that your friend is experiencing right now as well as expensive, (and often outrageious- I might add) dental bills.
I hope your friend’s pain ends soon and that he gets that tooth repaired. Infection for the tooth or Jaw is a VERY bad thing and should be addressed right away. Care should be taken to make sure a chronic, long term, subtle infection does not occur. Many have theorized this is one of our biggest health threats. It is hidden, silent, and often debilitating or deadly….
Let the patient beware because doctors often don’t tell – and some perhaps don’t know – everything a patient should know… Time is short in the office and many are stuck in the dogma that the patient can’t understand or does not need to know.. – It is time for that mentality to STOP! A doctor can not be with you 24 X 7 which means each person needs to know everything they possibly can. Our health is our most precious assett. We must preserve it and who better than our own selves (with the exception of divine intervention) can do that?
Hi David. I was diagnosed with gum disease almost 3 yrs ago now. And attend the dentist and hyginist reguarly, dentist every 6 months and hyginist every 3 months for cleaning. I have took they’r advice and brush and floss twice a day, sometimes more as my breath is realy bad. Its realy getting me down now as its all i seem to think about constantly. I have small gap’s between my teeth now and can’t eat in public or in front of anyone as i’m paranoid that everyone will see the food traped between my teeth. I have even thought about asking my dentist to extract ALL my teeth just to solve the problem. Can you advice me of anything else out there that might help as it’s realy effecting my life now and would love to just go a day even without worrying about my breath and teeth!
thank you
Marie x
Hi Marie,
Well, I always suggest working with your dental care provider. Yet, three years is a long time. Too long. It would appear that their advice to you is not enough to solve the problem. There are a number of tools both in my book and on this site that you could ask your provider if it is ok to use. If they say yes, see if you have better luck. I think you will probably be delightfully surprised.
Please come back soon and let us know about your progress..