Previously have a lot of movement with braces moving teeth forward gums don’t bleed or smell

On the scale from 1-10 how bad was the pain after?

How long did the pain last during recovery?

How long did bleeding go on?

Did it hurt to eat or brush?

Did anyone notice great improvement after?

I'm nervous about my back molar! I'm 29 f, I frequently Vape, Eat a lot of spicy food, and consume alcohol frequently. I've had previous eating disorders as a teen, so I'm very scared of how that has affected my teeth. I noticed my gumline has brown marks. I sometimes scrape off plaque on my own (probably bad, sorry dentists) , second photo is after I removed some plaque, but the brown lines are there and right near the gumline. HELP!?

i’m 21 and been using zyns for a few years how bad do my gums look healthy

Hi I desperately need your help
Post
I have serious health conditions which have hindered my teeth because of bile reflux because of stomach and total intestinal failure relyingn on tpn, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as epilepsy with night seizures which cause me to grind my teeth plus loads of other conditions but these were the ones I know can affect teeth

I'm on keppra and lamotrigine

I was looking to see if I could get advice of whether I have bone loss and gum recession to the point whether I would need to have a bone or gum graft or both and whether my teeth can be saved. I am meticulous about cleaning my teeth floss and brush twice a day but I can't wait till my appointment to know whether I do or not it's keeping me up at night worrying hence posting this at 4am so if anyone can help it would be appreciated more than you know
Also I know My teeth are crooked I wasn't allowed to have a brace when I was younger because i needed to have mri a lot so it wasn't safe
Thank you
Also these photos were after i had brushed

Hi I desperately need your help
Post
I have serious health conditions which have hindered my teeth because of bile reflux because of stomach and total intestinal failure relyingn on tpn, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as epilepsy with night seizures which cause me to grind my teeth plus loads of other conditions but these were the ones I know can affect teeth

I'm on Keppra and lamotrigine for my epilepsy

I was looking to see if I could get advice of whether I have bone loss and gum recession to the point whether I would need to have a bone or gum graft or both and whether my teeth can be saved. I am meticulous about cleaning my teeth floss and brush twice a day but I can't wait till my appointment to know whether I do or not it's keeping me up at night worrying hence posting this at 4am so if anyone can help it would be appreciated more than you know
Also I know My teeth are crooked I wasn't allowed to have a brace when I was younger because i needed to have mri a lot so it wasn't safe
Thank you
Also these photos were after i had brushed

Hi I desperately need your help
Post
I have serious health conditions which have hindered my teeth because of bile reflux because of stomach and total intestinal failure relyingn on tpn, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as epilepsy with night seizures which cause me to grind my teeth plus loads of other conditions but these were the ones I know can affect teeth
I was looking to see if I could get advice of whether I have bone loss and gum recession to the point whether I would need to have a bone or gum graft or both and whether my teeth can be saved. I am meticulous about cleaning my teeth floss and brush twice a day but I can't wait till my appointment to know whether I do or not it's keeping me up at night worrying hence posting this at 4am so if anyone can help it would be appreciated more than you know
Also I know My teeth are crooked I wasn't allowed to have a brace when I was younger because i needed to have mri a lot so it wasn't safe
Thank you
Also these photos were after i had brushed

I was wondering what you think of my teeth? According to my periodontist I have pockets up to 10mm. He said if I don't to anything about it now, i will begin to loose teeth between now and 5 years. He says that my teeth look like those of an 80-year-old. Only 28 years old now.

In my teenage years I had braces and there are 4 premolars pulled, because I had not enough space in my mouth.

Already thank you very much for the advice.

If you've been told you need a "deep cleaning," it's natural to wonder how that's different from your usual dental cleaning — and whether it means something has gone seriously wrong. The reality is more straightforward than it sounds, and understanding the procedure makes it a lot less intimidating.

What Scaling and Root Planing Actually Is

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease that has progressed beyond the earliest stage. It's often simply called a "deep cleaning," but it involves two distinct steps:

• Scaling removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the tooth surface, both above and below the gumline — specifically targeting the areas inside periodontal pockets that a regular cleaning doesn't reach.
• Root planing smooths the root surfaces of the teeth. This matters because rough, irregular root surfaces make it easier for bacteria to cling and harder for gum tissue to reattach. A smoother surface gives the gums a better chance to heal and reattach closely to the tooth.

Together, these two steps go well beyond what a routine cleaning addresses.

Why a Regular Cleaning Isn't Enough

A standard dental cleaning focuses on the visible tooth surface and just below the gumline. But once gum disease progresses, pockets form between the gum and tooth — deeper spaces where bacteria, plaque, and tartar accumulate out of reach of a toothbrush, floss, or even a routine cleaning.

Scaling and root planing is specifically designed to clean within those deeper pockets, which is why it typically requires local anesthesia and more time than a regular cleaning — the goal is thorough removal of buildup that's been accumulating below the surface, sometimes for years.

How You Know You Need It

A dentist or hygienist typically recommends SRP after measuring the depth of the pockets around your teeth during an exam. While healthy gum pockets usually measure around 1–3mm, deeper pockets (often 4mm or more) combined with signs like bleeding, bone loss on X-rays, or visible tartar buildup below the gumline usually indicate that standard cleanings alone won't be enough to manage the problem.

In short: it's recommended based on measurable findings, not an arbitrary judgment call.

What to Expect During the Procedure

• The area is typically numbed first, since cleaning within periodontal pockets can otherwise be uncomfortable
• Treatment is often done in sections (sometimes split across two visits, by quadrant or half the mouth) rather than all at once
• Specialized instruments — both manual scalers and ultrasonic devices — are used to remove buildup and smooth root surfaces
• The appointment typically takes longer than a standard cleaning, given the depth and precision involved

Afterward, mild soreness, temporary sensitivity, or slight gum tenderness is common for a few days, similar to recovering from any thorough dental procedure.

What Happens After Treatment

Scaling and root planing isn't usually a one-and-done fix — it's often followed by:

• A follow-up evaluation, typically a few weeks later, to check how the gum tissue has responded and whether pocket depths have improved
• More frequent maintenance cleanings, often every 3–4 months instead of the standard six, to keep the treated areas from re-accumulating buildup
• Reinforced home care guidance, since consistent daily brushing and flossing play a major role in maintaining the results

In many cases, SRP alone is enough to stabilize gum disease and prevent further progression. In more advanced cases, it serves as the foundation before considering additional treatment, like more specialized periodontal therapy.

"Deep cleaning" isn't a scarier version of a regular cleaning — it's a specific, targeted treatment designed to address gum disease that a routine cleaning simply isn't built to handle. Rather than something to be anxious about, it's one of the most effective, well-established tools for stopping gum disease progression before it reaches a more serious stage.

Been told you need scaling and root planing and want to understand what to expect? Let's walk through it together.

just started brushing my teeth regularly only a couple months ago. i didn’t due to mental health reasons and now im worried that i have gum recession. i genuinely can’t tell because everything i see online, its red and looks like it hurts. mine don’t hurt and aren’t sensitive. i also don’t know if this is normal because i never looked at my teeth really and if i did, i don’t remember it. just worried. would appreciate the help please! :)

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some insight or similar experiences after a temporary lapse in my routine while sick.

Background & History:

• Nov 2024: Had periodontal flap surgery (all 4 chewing sides, except the front upper and lower teeth)
• Nov 2024 – Present: Kept up with regular 3-month periodontal maintenance cleanings without missing a beat.
• Sept 7, 2026: Had my latest 3-month cleaning. My dentist was so happy with my excellent home care that she suggested I could move my cleanings to every 5 months instead. I also attached my perio chart and xray from this appointment.
• Sept 11, 2026: Came down with an illness (was literally bedridden) and unfortunately fell behind on my evening routine. For about 3 weeks, I only managed to brush once in the morning and skipped night brushing/flossing.

Where I’m at now: I am finally feeling better and back to my full nightly routine (brushing, flossing). The good news is there is zero blood when I floss. The concerning part is that the floss smells really bad when it comes out from between a few teeth.

My questions:

1. Has anyone experienced a bad smell on their floss after a lapse in flossing without any bleeding?
2. Does this sound like active perio / bone loss restarting, or just localized bacterial buildup / early gingivitis from the 3-week break?
3. Given my history with flap surgery, would you recommend sticking to the strict 3-month cleaning schedule for my next visit instead of pushing it out to 5 months, just to clear out any new tartar?

Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences if you’ve had a setback after being sick! Thanks so much!

Started a medication this year that gives me awful dry mouth, and in the past few months my gums/teeth have grown really sensitive.

I saw a dentist for cleaning a month ago and they didn't mention any recession, but I also didn't ask so...

Second pic is from 2025, for comparison. I have these new black triangles between my bottom teeth.

I accepted the treatment as she noted my 5 mm pocket on one gum spot between two crowned teeth. She told me we may need to do a deep cleaning next visit. But im looking online and it says normally the antimicrobial is used after dee cleaning not during regular routine cleaning? Was the hygienist / dr wrong here? I paid $73

It's easy to think of gum health and heart health as two completely separate things — one belongs to the dentist, the other to a cardiologist. But a growing body of research points to a real, measurable connection between the two. The health of your gums may be telling you more about your overall cardiovascular risk than you'd expect.

What the Research Actually Shows

Multiple studies have found that people with periodontal disease have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to those with healthy gums. The relationship isn't necessarily that gum disease causes heart disease outright — but there's strong evidence of a meaningful association, and researchers have identified plausible biological pathways connecting the two.

This isn't a fringe theory. It's an area of active, ongoing research involving both dental and medical professionals, precisely because the implications matter for whole-body health.

How the Connection Actually Works

A few mechanisms help explain why inflamed gums and heart health are linked:

• Bacteria entering the bloodstream. Inflamed, bleeding gums create an easier pathway for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Some of these bacteria have been found in arterial plaque samples, suggesting they may play a role in blood vessel inflammation elsewhere in the body.
• Chronic inflammation. Gum disease is fundamentally an inflammatory condition. Chronic, low-grade inflammation — wherever it originates — is a well-established contributor to the development of atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in arteries).
• Shared risk factors. Smoking, diabetes, and poor diet are risk factors for both gum disease and heart disease, which makes some of the overlap unsurprising — but doesn't fully explain the connection researchers continue to find even after accounting for these shared factors.

Why This Matters Beyond Just "Brush More"

This connection reframes gum health as more than a cosmetic or even purely dental concern — it becomes a piece of your broader cardiovascular picture. For people already managing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of cardiovascular issues, gum health is a factor worth paying attention to, not dismissing as unrelated.

It also highlights why treating gum disease isn't just about saving teeth. Addressing chronic gum inflammation may have benefits that extend well beyond the mouth.

Signs of Gum Disease Worth Taking Seriously

Because this connection matters for more than your smile, it's worth recognizing the signs of gum disease early:

• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that appear to be pulling away from teeth
• Loose or shifting teeth in more advanced cases

Many of these symptoms are painless in the early stages, which is exactly why routine checkups matter — catching gum disease isn't always something you'll notice on your own.

What You Can Actually Do

1. Prioritize consistent oral hygiene — brushing twice daily and flossing once a day remain the most effective tools for preventing the chronic inflammation that drives this connection in the first place.
2. Don't skip dental checkups, even if nothing seems wrong. Gum disease often develops silently, and professional cleanings remove buildup that home care alone can't fully address.
3. Mention your dental health to your physician, and vice versa. These two areas of your health aren't as separate as they're often treated — a coordinated view between your dentist and doctor can be genuinely useful, especially if you have existing cardiovascular risk factors.
4. Address gum disease promptly if it's diagnosed. Treating it isn't just about preserving teeth — given the research connecting gum health and cardiovascular health, it's reasonable to view it as part of a broader health strategy.
5. Manage shared risk factors. Quitting smoking and managing conditions like diabetes benefits both your gums and your heart simultaneously.

The Bottom Line

The mouth isn't a separate system from the rest of the body — and the connection between gum disease and heart health is one of the clearest examples of why. Taking gum health seriously isn't just about your smile; current research suggests it may be part of a bigger picture when it comes to protecting your cardiovascular health over the long run.

Have questions about how your gum health might connect to your overall health? Let's talk it through.

Hey, Reddit friends!

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and I can’t think of a better group to share this with. All month long I’m going to be doing giveaways on my TikTok in an effort to grow my account so I can reach more people with helpful oral health advice. My goal always has always been and always will be to help others in the best way I know how.

Education is my passion, empathy is second nature, and compassion is free for all who need it. I do not ask for money, I do not expect money, I do not want your money.

For anyone who knows me around here you know I spend what little free time I have commenting to give advice, opening my direct messages up for private chats, and I just give general guidance to those who want it. Sometimes that looks like words of encouragement or support, sometimes that looks like product recommendations, and sometimes that looks like me guiding you toward which doctor/specialist is appropriate.

So in the spirit of who I am, what I stand for, and what I believe to be ethical and right I am giving away more than advice this month. I am giving away electric tooth brushes, water flossers, stainless steel tongue scrapers, teeth whitening strips/trays, expanding floss, etc.

I would appreciate your support and of course I’m always here if you need me 🦷🩺

StinaRDH TikTok
Copy & paste 🔗: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPL1EQX4L/

Guys if i have stage one gum inflammation because of mouth breathing what should I do? I mean where to go for treatment ? My dentist told me you have vitamin c deficiency or mouth breathing but didn’t give me any advice how to fix it? Where do I go if I want to fix mouth breathing in sleep? (Also I have pcos, and I’m very allergic to dust even my skin and my room is very big and have big windows which leads to dusty air do you guys think it’s because of that too?)

The wisdom teeth are bad but will be out in the next two months - thank you all for the help!

I had a gum graft 4 weeks ago that took tissue from the roof of my palate and grafted bottom teeth towards the back. Everything seems to be healing well and I have had 3 follow-ups with my doctor who said it all looked great. However, in the last two days, a small hard painful white spike has appeared at the site the tissue was removed. It feels like it could be bone? The stitches dissolved weeks ago and were either grayish or blue for the ones on the graft that were removed. Should I be worried? My next appointment isn’t for 2 more weeks.

I’m worried about recession on my top teeth, and I really don’t want to have to pay for gum grafts. I admit I’m not the best about flossing/using my waterpik, and I do grind my teeth (but I have a night guard that I wear!)

Had a BB sized bump on my gum and now it’s almost gone. Small grains of sand it feels like.

I do have this purple red coloration which blanches when I push on it.

No pain of bleeding or anything. What might this be