“Bad gum recession ”
Hello. My gums are receding pretty bad due to over brushing, not gingivitis. My dental insurance won’t cover gum grafts for at least one year (I have a 12 month waiting period before they cover major dental work). I’m afraid I can’t wait one year or that my teeth will fall out. I also have MAJOR sensitivity. What can I do in the mean time while I wait and will my teeth actually fall out?!
3 Answers
Very unlikely you will lose your teeth. Just speak with your dentist.
Switch to an ultrasoft toothbrush, and make sure you are brushing gently, not with excessive force. In the meantime, you can use antisensitivity toothpastes such as Sensodyne and also Prevident gel (fluoride gel) or MI paste to be applied on the surfaces where you are sensitive, 2-3 times daily. You might feel decreased sensitivity within a month or so of applying these products. Be mindful of the fact that oftentimes, gum grafting is not the remedy to cure sensitivity because we don't achieve complete root coverage. Sensitivity is mostly managed by mineralizing agents and, in extreme cases, a tooth-colored filling could be considered three months after gum grafting in the area that remains sensitive.
Your bone levels should be evaluated in order to answer your question.
