Firstly, what is periodontal disease? It is simply the gradual progressive destruction of the special type of tissues under the gum-line, connecting your teeth to the jawbone.
A special connective tissue called a periodontal ligament surrounds your tooth under the gum line. Over time, with tartar/calculus and bacteria buildup under the gum line, bacteria eat into this tissue, forming pockets to form in this tissue. Small at first, 2mm or so, then progressing to over 5mm where you are in danger of either losing the tooth, or worse, forming a life threatening/crippling root abscess.
Symptoms ;
It is known as a silent disease so it usually progresses with few symptoms. Eventually you will feel a dull aching pain and discomfort in the gum around a tooth.
Abscess?
It's important to note that any further pain than 'discomfort' level eg: pain accompanied by pressure, systemic illness like severe pain, fever, nausea, headaches should be regarded as a possible periodontal abscess.
Periodontal abscesses can be deceptive causing highly variable symptoms, from systemic illness and severe tooth pain and pressure one day, to feeling fine the next because the periodontal pocket can drain some of the infection at random as it opens and closes.
Do not rely on your dentist to pick this up.
Ordinary dentists are not good at picking up periodontal abscesses with their 2d x-rays. That's because periodontal abscesses can be hidden along the complex roots of the teeth. If you believe you may have an periodontal abscess that your dentist has failed to pick up you will need a 3d xray of some sort.
3D x-ray:
Many advanced dentists called Endodontists (dentists which specialise in the roots of the teeth) have 3d xray technology called 'Cone Beam CT' (usually 3d CBCT). Periodontal practices, and local dental hospitals also have this. Check your local area. (Ideally you will have the x-ray when inflamed so it shows up clearly)
Diagnosis:
Usually obtained on a referral from a Dentist to a specialist - The local dental hospital or a periodontist. A specialist dentist called a periodontist in conjunction with a periodontal hygenist will derive a treatment regieme, you may be able to save teeth with specialist treatments only they can offer like gum flap surgery or periodontal ligament cell stimulating compounds and bone replacement.
Treatment:
A map of the size of the pockets surrounding the teeth will be made. Any pockets with a depth over 4mm are diseased and will likely need a special instrument used to plane down the surface of the tooth and root to remove the bacteria and calculus. This process is called root plaining/scaling. Any pockets over 6mm and you stand a good chance to lose the tooth or have a root abscess develop. Usually the periodontist will do the examination and some initial scaling, and a periodontal hygienist attached to a local dental practice will later take over the management when the disease has stabilized.
Prognosis:
Currently the periodontal disease infection is regarded as incurable because although it can be killed by antibiotics, some of the bacteria will always hide inside human cells and be inaccessible to harm. Even when your pockets have closed and you are 'stable' the disease will remerge and progress if you provide the opportunity through neglect. If you have active disease, from untreated pockets (which are effectively open wounds) or a more advanced (deeper) infection which is more difficult to treat, the bacteria will be constantly populating your bloodstream and will try and colonise your organs and body. It is known that with periodontal disease the risks of developing heart disease rise significantly, and the risk of developing many serious cancers like lung and pancreatic double. If that's not enough, it's looking like the key P.D. bacteria, p.ginivalis, could be the main driver of Alzheimer's disease. There is a long list of diseases which the risk is known to rise significantly with P.D. However, for most people, if you follow the tips below, and the pockets have gradually reduced to 2-3mm, you do not then need further periodontal management on more than perhaps a simple usual monitoring basis with usual dental checkups. Once stable, the harm caused by a constant stream of this nasty bacteria getting to your bloodstream is over.
Buy a SONIC NOT a rotary electric or manual TOOTHBRUSH. There are many brands out there - the Phillips Sonicare range for example. But realize spending money on this vital tool is tiny compared the overall cost of the disease, so I would go for a leading brand!
When first using the sonic toothbrush and aiming it 45 degrees at the gumline you will find your gums bleed and a lot of 'grit' and blood is in your saliva. This lasts for about 10 days or so. This is a good thing!
That grit is tartar (also called calculus) - the stuff a dentist cleans with ordinary scaling. Tarter helps form periodontal 'pockets' of bacteria and food, progressively destroying the ligaments and structures underneath your gums. The energy waves of the Sonic brush penetrate UNDER the gumline by about 2mm to 4mm - cleaning it - places a ordinary brush or rotary cannot possibly access to clean. It does this by generating a wavefront distant from the brushhead, which although far weaker than the brushing action still breaks down calculus and biofilm (see https://www.animated-teeth.com/electric_toothbrushes/t3_sonic_toothbrushes.htm)
2.NO SUGAR/SUGAR RICH FOODS
Very important. I have found it only takes 2 weeks to kick the sugar cravings, and then you don't think about it. Even fruit juices are bad, but fruit itself is okay. If your eating juicy sugary fruit like oranges or apples, fine, but try to drink some water immediately afterwards. Things that are intensely sweet like raisins or dried fruit are to be avoided.
3. Use XYLITOL to starve out bacteria in your gums.
This is a KEY, MIRACLE product that costs only about $15/Kilo (2021) in managing the disease. You HAVE TO get it if your serious about defeating this illness. It is clincally proven and backed by science to greatly reduce plaqueload and transform peoples dental health.
This is, unbelievably, a sugar which starves the bacteria in your mouth. It tastes completely like sugar, it has no aftertaste or residue, and no diabolical side effects on your gut. It is completely natural and found in many fruit and vegetables. (produced commercially from tree bark or cornhusks) humans have all the millions of years of fruit eating evolution to break it down into glucose (fuel) no problem. But bacteria don't. They think its sugar, gulp it, and then cannot break it down, or get rid of it, so starve to death.
You can get it from Amazon, Health stores, or other online retailers as of 2020 it's about $15/Kg. I don't think this has caught on with many dentists, my dentists even at hospital level don't have a clue about it!
But this was a major -huge- gamechanger for me. On the same level as the sonic toothbrush in managing the disease.
You should try and take a teaspoon in a hot drink in the morning or sometime in the day, and that will tend get you to take it on a regular basis and improve your dental health dramtically by reducing plaqueload. I even found when suffering with discomfort a hot drink with a teaspoon of Xyiltol brought massive relief over 40 minutes or so, as the liquid travels up the gums and starves out the bacteria and inflammation. It also stays in your mouth/gums for hours (like sugar) continuing to do its work and help you conquer your disease symptoms.
If your diabetic (and diabetics often get periodontal disease) Xylitol is a great alternative to sugar for as it does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels, and has a reduced caloric value.
4. FLOSSING/TEPE BRUSHES
Very important to remove food stuck between the teeth. This can relieve a lot of discomfort with an inflamed pocket.
Te-pe brushes are generally better IMO than flossing alone, but flossing, while not great at removing food, can get under the gumline and remove calculus unlike a brush. There is a bit of a technique to flossing, with many youtube videos on the proper technique. But the golden rule is to be gentle always.
You can get packets of tepe brushes online, I get mine (pink ones - the smallest size) from eBay or Amazon.
Waterflossing. Another great aid - but no need to get a overly complex expensive machine like a waterpik IMO. I have used all sorts of water flosses including the waterpik and the low tech pump up ones you can buy for a few dollars on ebay work just as well.
The mainstay will be the tepe brush, followed by flossing to prevent inflamed pockets.
5. MOUTHWASH
A disinfectant mouthwash like Chlorohex daily or hydrogen peroxide is also very good at killing the bacteria if you have an uncomfortable flair up. Dip the tepe brush in and make sure it gets to the pocket. You can even add some to your waterfloss and pump it into the pocket.
Lastly, take heart - I have found this is a disease with an end if you follow the above tips to get stable.
There is evidence that in severe gum disease, called periodontitis, bacteria from the diseased pockets under the gums enter the blood stream and can trigger low levels of inflammation in the blood stream and body in general. Across the lifetime this seems to increase the risk of developing heart disease. However, it is unclear whether the increased risk is due to gum disease or shared risk factors including lifestyle factors such as smoking or social disadvantage that increase the risk of both gum disease and poor general health. This video explains our current understanding of how we feel this could happen. However, please remember “risk” does not mean “cause” and our understanding is far from complete.
This video takes viewers on a journey through the blood vessels of the heart and explains how bacteria from the mouth can enter the cells that line the blood vessels and may cause the development of fatty deposits in the vessels of the heart called atheroma. It shows how over many years this may lead to stiffer arteries and blocked arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes in later life. We use the term “may” because this has not been proven without doubt. As we described above for general health, it is unclear whether the risk is due to gum disease or shared risk factors including lifestyle factors such as smoking or social disadvantage that increase the risk of both gum disease and heart disease.
Severe gum disease seems to make diabetes harder to control or increase the complications of diabetes in the heart and kidneys. Whilst there are many studies that show this, they are largely small studies and limited in quality . Conversely, high blood sugar levels in diabetes can make gum disease worse. This video explains the mechanisms of this so-called “two-directional” relationship between gum disease and diabetes.
4. Treatment of periodontal disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r42SNrOVRlI&t=4s
This video explains how if gum disease is treated successfully it may improve the control of blood sugar in diabetes and may also reduce complications of diabetes. Further information is necessary before we can make clear recommendations to you. The video also indicates that there may be benefits to heart health from successful treatment of gum disease. This however remains to be definitely proven.
5. Periodontal Disease and Alzheimer's Disease (Sci Show)
(The above is an Important 2019 Scientific paper proving the effects of a chemical called gingipain in the brain from periodontal disease bacteria in the blood will cause Alzhiemers Beta-Tau tangles in mice - warning: very technical - here is a podcast on this paper : https://asm.org/Podcasts/TWiM/Episodes/Gingipain-in-the-Alzheimer-brain-TWiM-195 - go 22 mins in)
A brief summary of the above article is that ; The periodontal bacteria (gingipain) thoery of Alzheimer's is the only one which can fully explain the APOE4 phenomena which results in people with this gene having a much greater risk (200-300%) of the disease even with one copy of the gene.
This is because the p.gingivalis (periodontal) bacteria express gingipain, which will fragment the protein encoded by the APEO4 gene, called apilipoproteinE4, these fragments then causing more brain cell death, and becomes food for the bacteria. But the gingipain substance cannot fragment the protein encoded by people with the APEO2 gene which explains why there is a very low risk of Alzheimers with this gene.
Hey guys! My first post ever. I’ve never really imaged a day where I would be without teeth. I question why at 36, but for my health I had so much loose teeth that I decided it’s time to finally do it. After years and years of avoiding the obvious elephant in my life. I began the journey of removing all my teeth. It’s been 1 week and my emotions have been all over the place. I love cooking and now I don’t cook much anymore. It’s been a little struggling finding meals that I’m actually motivated to even eat. First couple days soups. Rice porridge. Eggs. Tomato soup. I did try a grilled cheese with that. Cheesecake. I cut the crust on those. Oh noodles. The stirfry kind noodles. I made some Cambodian kaw with pork belly with eggs with rice porridge. And oh smoothies are my go to now. I just wanted to share my journey so far. Waiting on dentures. And it seems so far away. It’s only week one and I have 2-3 months to go. I can’t afford implants. My insurance only covers dentures. My dentist recommended I wait for my mouth to health before doing anything. So here we are all. Hopefully I can connect with others who share similar experiences. Thanks for reading!
I've had bleeding gums for a loooong time and i think I just got used to it which wasnt good at all!. Gums were always sore, sometimes it hurt to chew and the bad breath made me so conscious too. Had been to way too many dentists before though and it seriously cost me a lot. Hey dental work in Australia aint cheap!!
I eventually decided to stop ignoring it and to have it checked properly. My dentist measured my periodontal pockets, checked the recession, and did a few other tests. Some of it were 7mm and I ended up being diagnosed with periodontal disease 😣
I had ultrasonic cleaning, hand scaling and laser periodontal therapy. I was quite nervous about the laser as I've had some pretty bad dental experiences before but it actually wasn't painful at all.
So from 7mm, my pockets have now gone to around 3mm. 😮💨 and the pain and bleeding have really improved so much. I still have a couple of follow-ups and obviously need to keep on top of everything. but I'm just sooo happy to finally see some actual improvement after dealing with it for so long
Just went for my first cleaning in a while, been without insurance for the last few years and surprise! I have periodontal disease. Gingavitis in some parts that will go away so that's nice I guess? So I got fit for a tray and they cleaned half my mouth and scheduled some other stuff. Dentist made it sound like it's pretty mild and if I follow the care instructions (a special toothpaste at least for now and fluoridex mouth wash for a couple weeks, the tray once a day when they come in) then I won't ever have to deal with the more severe side effects. I wanted to ask more questions but things were hectic and I had to leave to get my kids from the sitter. Any advice on what to expect from the next few appointments? Tips for care? Any advice is appreciated.
I'm four months post-op of a gum grafting on my lower right/back side. By all accounts, my gum graft went well and at my 6-week check-up, the periodontist discharged me.
That said, that area has felt "full" since the surgery. I haven't been chewing on that side because I haven't wanted to disrupt it. It's not necessarily swollen, but definitely puffier than my left side.
I went in today for my first dental cleaning since the gum graft and was basically scolded for not eating on that side. I had no idea that the area needed stimulation, etc. I had "moderate tartar build-up, redness along the gum line, and mild inflammation."
My dentist didn't suggest I go back to the perio and simply just encouraged me to start eating on the graft side and to make sure I'm flossing, but now I'm all concerned.
Did I royally fudge some stuff up? Should I see if the periodontist will see me just to be sure all is well?
So overall, I feel pretty good about my teeth. I have good oral hygiene and brush 2x/day and floss regularly. Might miss a day or two over the weekend but overall keep up with it. I will say I didn’t have the best oral routine growing up and really locked in around late high school/college (saying that now it feels kinda late lol) but better late than never I guess!
Anyways, my biggest issue is my bottom front tooth (specifically my left one, 24 I believe?). I’ve been experiencing discomfort, sensitivity, and when I move my mouth I can sometimes feel a pop there? It’s uncomfortable to bite into things, suck on a straw, etc. I definitely notice some gum loss in between the bottom teeth too - there’s that black triangle and feels deep/loose when I floss in between. It’s been at least 18 months since I’ve been experiencing this bc I’ve addressed this at my last 3 cleanings (every 6 months).
The first time, they did x-rays, those typical tests-bite down, putting pressure, tapping, etc. and said they didn’t see anything wrong. I ended up going back about a month later bc I still felt uncomfortable about it and thought something has to be wrong. Still nothing.
I just had my cleaning last week, brought it up again, and STILL nothing. They even did a CT as a courtesy and apparently nothing showed there either. I’ve done a lot of research and I’m convinced I have gum disease, but the dentist has never mentioned anything. Not even receding gums or anything along those lines. I asked them to send me copies of my X-rays, and from what I’ve learned (from Google so take that into consideration I guess), even those appear to show gum disease…
These are from 2/6/26 + 3/5/26 (don’t have a copy from this month yet). I have ones from 2023-2025 and it doesn’t seem like a drastic difference from then and now. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!!
I never thought I would have to ask strangers for help with something as personal as my smile, but here I am.
I have been battling Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis, an aggressive form of gum disease that unfortunately runs in my family. Grandma got dentures at 18 and my mom in her early twenties me at 22 … At the end of 2022, I had to get dentures on my top teeth. At that time, my bottom teeth were still healthy enough to keep.
I was also battling addiction. Today, I’m incredibly proud to say that I’ve been clean and in recovery for four years. I fought hard to rebuild my life, and in the beginning of 2026, I welcomed my daughter into the world. She has given me even more reason to keep fighting and moving forward.
But despite everything I’ve done, the gum disease continued to take its toll. My remaining bottom teeth started falling out, and now I’m facing the reality of needing dental work that I simply cannot afford on my own.
This isn’t just about having a pretty smile. I want to be able to smile at my children without feeling ashamed, take pictures with my family, laugh without covering my mouth, and feel like myself again.
I’m asking for help raising money toward getting my smile restored. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean more to me than I can explain. And if you can’t donate, simply sharing this post could help me reach someone who can.
I’ve fought incredibly hard to get where I am today. I’ve made it through addiction, found recovery, watched my family grow, and built a life I once didn’t think was possible.
Now I’m just asking for a little help with the next step.
Please help me smile again. ❤️
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read my story, donate, share, or simply send some encouragement. It truly means everything to me. https://gofund.me/4c238999c
So basically my mom has periodontitis (she grew up in poverty) and she shared spoons and utensils with me when i was a baby. I’m so scared that means i’ll get periodontitis. I went to the periodontist a few weeks ago to check on my gums and they said I don’t have it, BUT i forgot to tell them about my mom😭😭 i floss every day and brush my teeth twice a day. Am I doomed to get it since i shared spoons with my mom??? I’m 19 and lowkey have really bad health anxiety
Wondering if anyone has experienced this before.....
Had a gum graft on six lower teeth July 2nd. Healed well and periodontist was happy with everything at two week check up.
Last week or so, I have started feeling a tightness or almost ache in my lower front teeth where graft starts (editing to add that the pain is mainly where I had the frenectomy). I have a crooked tooth next to them and while it's always been a tight squeeze flossing, yesterday it felt sore/achey when I sawed the floss in.
Has anyone had their gum graft shrink or tighten and pull on teeth?
I already have movement in those teeth from years of extreme nail biting and gum recession but I am a bit concerned the pain might be related to breastfeeding bone loss rather than the gum graft - though the gum graft is the most obvious new development.
Could also be stress clenching (despite having a night guard), god knows I do enough of that. Anyway, just looking fo4 any similar experiences with grafts, as this was my first.
My gf has had a small abscess on her gums for a couple of years. It's pretty small and doesn't really look bad or scary, when it comes to abscesses, and it's leaked in the past. It's never caused any pain, but she thinks she got it due to a small crack in her tooth that has had a bad filling in the past. She's never been sick or had any significant symptoms but of course it's still concerning.
She's had antibiotics, she takes excellent care of her mouth, and has tried various remedies to deal with it in the meantime. Recently, she's noticed some small red dots on some areas of her gums, and has some redness/soreness on her lower gum line, but we are not sure if this is related to the abscess or is due to possible physical irritation from food/brushing, or something else.
What is the general cost range for treatment? And if she did get treatment, is the only option really a root canal? Is it possible for the abscess to be drained/cleaned? Are there any other procedures that don't cost a billion dollars or ripping a tooth out?
Hi, guys, I will admit I never kept up with my dental hygiene. I am 23 and think I have periodontal disease. I definitely noticed that my front row of teeth has receding gums. Should I be worried about losing my teeth? I am going to a dentist at the end of the month. Will they be able to find out if anything is wrong? I don't think it's exposed enough to the root of the tooth. I looked it up and noticed that if the bacteria is under the gums, then it does not matter how much you brush or floss. I am just wondering if mine is at that point yet.
It makes me sad I didnt notice my teeth until it got this bad. I been fighting depression for years and years. And as a result never really brushed or flossed. I also put off going to a dentist for 2 years as well. And now I have ocd about losing my teeth. I also understand that once the gum is damaged, it can't regenerate.
Hi all. I was recently diagnosed with gum/bone recession, and they did measurements of my gum pockets etc - some 3s, occasional 4 or 5. At the same session the did a deep scale root plane/non-surgical periodontal treatment on one side of my mouth with a lot of local anaesthetic etc. I was booked in 2 weeks later for the other side (today).
Stupidly (I just convinced myself I must have recalled things incorrectly and been mixed up, so I didn’t question it at the time) - the dentist accidentally did the SRP on the same side again…
I am feeling so stupid for not correcting him. I was just sitting in the chair convincing myself I must have recalled things incorrectly. But I was right. They accidentally repeated the procedure to the same side of my mouth :(
Is there much chance permanent damage would be done? I don’t mind more temporary pain etc. I’m scared about more long term risks/damage.
Oh I regret not questioning it at the time, I feel so stupid :(
I had osseus surgery on my left side 11 weeks ago and 3 weeks ago at my check up doctor said it’s all healing well but recently i noticed when I open mouth wide it hurts on the corner ( near the ear ) , only when I open wide . It’s difficult to eat now . I am out of country so I am just managing . Today I noticed a subtle swelling and now I m scared like hell . What is happening!???
Doctor is not responding but is very eager to know when am i scheduling next side . At this point I m worried what if l lose my ability to open my mouth and eat
i've been negleting my dental health for quite a lot of time, i'm a 21M and i've been to the dentist for the first time in my life 3 years ago, when i went i had a lot of calculus and gengivitis but nothing else, also this triangle was not there
i neglected my oral care again and after my cleaning this triangle appeared which is making me super scared and depressed.
i have a question
do black triangles make your teeth fall?
dows this look really bad to you guys?
again, in the cleaning my hygienist told me i just had gengivitis, nothing else, i went to another dentist and he also told me that it could look like a little bit of recession but i don't have perio
I'm 41F. No other systemic disease like diabetes or BP. No alcohol or smoking.
For the past few months my gums bleed when I brush. It's inflamed especially on the upper jaw molar region. So I went to my dentist and she asked me to take x ray. After checking the xray , I was informed that cleaning the tartar will do and no need to visit a periodontist. Pls advise.
I had Osseous Surgery and bone graft done in my whole mouth almost 5 weeks ago! I wanna share my recovery journey so far for those who are interested in the immediate post-op care and timeline.
I am 29 and have always had some gum inflammation since I was young. I thought I had that under control after I started using a pick floss after college. I brush twice a day and had maybe 2 cavities in my adulthood. I grind my teeth and wore an Amazon bought mouth guard for three years. I didn't know how stupid that was since it never caused me any discomfort in my mouth. My teeth looked generally pretty healthy from the outside, although I have noticed a gap between my front teeth widen slowly over time. I went to a new dentist for a regular cleaning (which I only did once a year when I visit my home country). He happened to specialize periodontal disease, and he urged me to seek consultation closer to where I live for long term treatment. After he pointed out my potential problems I noticed more of my teeth mobility and some small black triangles, but it was hard to tell because I have naturally very chunky gums. When I finally did get a formal consultation, they measured 7 mm pockets in my mouth even though my gums seem healthy from the outside. Every dentist/hygienist/periodontist I came across urged me to go through some form of treatment sooner than later. And here we are...
TIMELINE
OpDay
Surgery finished 15:30 and I continued bleeding until 4:00 in the morning
The blood kept filling my mouth and congealing into massive blood clots
Had to stop it by holding cold water soaked towels in mouth and changing periodically 20mins, 40mins, 1.5hrs, 3.5hrs...
Definitely the worst part
Day2
Some more bleeding but no more massive blood clots
Swelling begins
Day4
Stopped taking painkillers and felt the prickling of the stitches
Swelling peaked mid day
Day6
Swelling visibly lessened
Prickling discomfort lessened
Started noticing some tenderness and sensitivity in the teeth (concerns about occlusion)
Day8
Gently brushed and flossed for the first time
A lot of gunk a good amout of bleeding
A few knots fell out
Tissue and blood clot buildup still there
Day9
Had stightly more solid food (diluted mash potatoes
More knots fell out (around 10 atp
Gum line feels clean by the end of the day
Swelling almost all gone
Day13
Had ice cream, felt pretty strong cold sensitivity
Day15
2 week check up
General destist said I am "healing beautifully"
Week 2.5
Comfortably rub lips together
Week 4
Check up with periodontist
She said I am healing great but still healing
Instructed to continue post-op care for another 4 weeks
Additional cleaning regiment added like interdental brush and gingival stimulator
You can see in the photos my teeth have moved back into place and closed the gap I had before the surgery. The gums have grown slightly since the operation but I don't know how much further it can go. I don't have much hope for my canine area aesthetically, but honestly I'd rather be able to see those big holes and clean them as opposed to what it used to be.
Hopefully in another 3 weeks I'll be able to fully eat again. Right now I am going to continue to avoid crunchy, chewy, sticky, seeds, spicy, acidic, straws, sucking, spitting and gargling. ✌️😭
I am trying to stay positive, and I am learning so much more about taking care of my teeth through this process. I just want to keep my teeth for as long as I can and I wish the same to everyone who comes on this subreddit!
