Question:
I visited my dentist last week and he says I have a 7 mm pocket in my
front tooth that will soon result in the loss of that tooth. He sent me
to a periodontist 5 years ago and I had four treatments. I vowed never
to go back. In addition to the outrageous price charged, the treatments
were painful and my teeth remained sensitive for two years.
I'm 45, in good shape, quit smoking 5 months ago, and I do not want to
lose any teeth. I also don't want periodontal surgery. I started
researching alternative treatments and have discovered two.
The first is the Modified Torrens Powder
(http://www.magma.ca/~amoeba/Oral%20Hygiene.htm), a 50 year old formula
mixing 6 parts baking soda to 1 part salt, and applying it to your gums
every morning. I've tried this for the past two mornings and must say my
gums feel and look fresher already.
The other treatment I discovered was an all-natural product named
Peri-Gum (http://www.peri-gum.com) that a naturalist father developed
for his son and is now sold in over 150 stores in the USA. They claim
that it cured his sons severe gum problems, so I ordered it (I'm
desparate!) but haven't received it yet.
Any views or experience with these treatments?
Answer:
As mentioned, the cost is ridiculous and more importantly, the pain
during and sensitivity afterwards were unbearable. It was a very
unpleasant experience that obviously didn't work very well if I have to
return 5 years later!
Unfortunately periodontal disease doesn't work that way. The goal of
treatment is to stabilize disease activity, then to maintain stability with
frequent monitoring by the periodontist, dentist and RDH. Frequent
monitoring is essential to identify and treat disease activity.
If you were treated for diabetes 5 years ago and then didn't follow-up with
recommended maintenance, would you expect to be free of diabetes today?
Disease treatment is limited by the characteristics of the disease itself.
Not all disease is curable, but many can be controlled.
How much is that front tooth worth to you? If you have a deep pocket on #7,
there are likely others. Is it important to you to maintain your teeth? If
not, try these alternate treatments, but don't be surprised 5 years from now
when you are losing teeth one by one.
My mind is not closed to treatment by a periodontist, but I'd be much
happier to treat the gum problems with a pain-free, natural remedy, and
was just asking if anyone knew of the two I discovered.
I definitely don't want to lose my teeth, especially my front teeth, and
will return to a periodontist if the natural medecine doesn't work, but
I do fear the pain and the price.
His dentist told him he will lose #7 soon if he doesn't take action. I'm
basing my opinion on that and that he doesn't seem to have had follow-up
care after seeing the periodontist. Perhaps he can find a periodontist that
is more gentle. There are also effective treatments for sensitivity after
treatment.
