Hello!
I am 33 years old, I still have all my own teeth and I take fairly regular care of them (brushing, dental visits), because the quality of my teeth is a little poorer and I am prone to caries; otherwise they are nice and white. My teeth are also quite tightly packed together, so they are harder to clean. I would like to keep all my own teeth for a long time, so I am asking you for some advice. Two years ago the gums receded slightly around both lower first premolars; they were very sensitive, and my dentist told me to be careful when brushing and placed small fillings over the sensitive necks. A few months ago, however, I began to feel pulling pain in the upper left first molar, with occasional sensitivity, and I noticed that the gum had also receded slightly there, because when I feel the tooth where it meets the gum, I can feel that it is rough. Because I was afraid to go to the dentist, I bought Sensodyne toothpaste (which helped), but I am still worried that something may be wrong with the tooth. What do you advise regarding this? I should also mention that five months ago my upper left wisdom tooth was extracted; the wound had to be sutured, so it healed very slowly, and since then I have noticed that the left side of my tongue is more coated and that I always have bad breath. I do not know whether this is a consequence of the extraction or whether it is because of the first molar where the gum has receded slightly. Please advise me why my gums have started to recede (they never bleed, or perhaps very, very rarely), whether this is dangerous, as I would not like this to happen around other teeth too, because I would like to keep them for as long as possible.
I kindly ask for your answers and would also like to know whether it is possible to make an appointment with you for an examination, since I noticed that you have RVG and an intraoral camera and can examine the teeth in greater detail.
Kind regards!
Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:
Dear Sir/Madam!
From what you describe, I can conclude that wedge-shaped erosions are appearing on your teeth. The cause of the problem is brushing, which may be incorrect, too frequent or too vigorous. I assume that you are a meticulous tooth brusher, so I believe that the gingival recession is not the result of recurrent inflammation (gingivitis or periodontitis), which would also present as occasional bleeding. In any case, with all disorders of the periodontal tissues it is necessary to exclude the problems mentioned above, which we do with a panoramic X-ray. The consequence of gingival recession and the resulting wedge-shaped erosions of the dentin at the tooth neck is, of course, sensitivity, which may occur intermittently and with varying intensity. We help patients by impregnating/sealing the tooth necks with organic resins, which closes the exposed dentinal tubules; in more severe cases we place fillings shaped to the defects in the cervical dentin. We advise everyone on appropriate brushing technique. In extensive soft-tissue defects, the gum can also be surgically replaced.
The postoperative condition in the area of the upper wisdom tooth is difficult for me to comment on without an examination, but I believe the complications are within the expected range.
Have a nice day!