Recurring gum problems

[sandyRoe]

Despite seeing a dental hygienist regularly I am getting recurring, and very painful, gum problems. I'm thing of having my remaining upper teeth extracted and getting dentures. Are these plates generally loose? I ask because there are often adverts on TV for stuff like Polygrip.

[Davethedog]

Sandy before you do that can't you be referred to you local hospital dental people?

[Infomaniac]

Have you tried a Periodontist? More specialized than a hygienist. My gums used to bleed all the time and I had all sorts of problems for years until I went to a periodontist. I now go about once every four months and my gums have been trouble-free for years now.

[sandyRoe]

I haven't actually discussed this with my dentist yet. I'll make an appointment with her and see what she thinks.

[Infomaniac]

Good idea.

[Psybbo]

http://www.whatclinic...t/belfast-city-centre

[Clanad]

Only as a suggestion... here in the U.S., "falsies" are rapidly being replaced by implants... a tooth is extracted and a high-tensile metal implant is screwed into the jaw bone on which a permanent replacement tooth is mounted. Friends who have had the procedure (two of them previously had dental plates, both upper and lower) swear by it. At present the full procedure is expensive, but the cost is coming down considerably because more dentists are offering the solution.

By the way, the upper dental plate is held in simply by a vacuum process. The top of the solid plate rests against the roof of the mouth... the palate. The plate usually has a lining that needs to be replaced periodically to help with the suction placement.

Another process is to retain two or more natural teeth around whcih are fitted 'partial' dentures. They, apparently, fit very snugly but over time tend to loosen the natural 'anchor' teeth and they finally have to be replaced...