[Martinman]

Does anyone on here have recessed gums, either from brushing too hard or whatnot?

Today I was practicing and I normally feel vibration afteraffects after I finish playing, especialy after an intense practice session. However, the gum right above my front tooth was bleeding slightly.

Could playing sax be worsening the problem of my gums recessing? Is there any way to get them to grow back? I am 19. I do not want to lose my teeth.

 

[ranma503]

I have receding gums. No, they don't grow back, unfortunately. What you can have done, is grafts from your palette, the roof of the mouth. That grows back, so they transfer some of the hard tissue from there to your gums and it integrates there naturally. I had this done for the gums below my lower front teeth. I still play saxophone. I just pay attention to what the dentist says and try not to make it worse. One thing the dentist will typically tell you is to buy an electric toothbrush, and I have to concur... it's a lot easier not to hurt yourself with one of those than one of the normal ones.

But aside from due dilligence with brushing and the understanding that I might need more grafts in the future, I don't worry about it. You'll tend to get some sensitivity to temperatures and maybe some when you're playing, but that's because your roots get exposed. It doesn't necessarily mean things are getting worse. I ignore it for the most part and my gums haven't gotten worse in like 5 years.

On the other hand, if your gums are bleeding.... Let me ask you this, as it's critical: Do you floss?

 

[Enviroguy]

It's time to go see a periodontist. You are too young to be having gum disease.

At 42, I just started seeing a periodontist after having a bad gum infection. It appears that all that lack of flossing has caught up with me. $4,000 of surgery to put me right and rain again. I could have lost my teeth and I don't even have any cavities. And worse, I couldn't play sax for serveral weeks.

Go get checked out while there is still time. Then start brushing, flossing and rinsing with Listerine twice a day. Yes the Listerine taste and feels like gasoline in your mouth, but it's better than not being able to play your sax. :shock:

 

[Finnerski]

If your gums are receding at 19 you must not be flossing. Try using toothpaste and mouthwash for sensitive teeth until you can get your gum disease under control. Listerine is way too strong for mouth sensitivity.

 

[Reedsplinter]

Go to the dentist. NOW!!

Seriously: some people (me for one) have a genetic predisposition to gum disease. It is serious. You can lose teeth, in the long run. This has nothing to do with the fact that you play sax. But: the good news is, this stuff is very treatable. The dentist will tell you what to do. Listen to him/her not to us -- except when we say

Go to the dentist. NOW!!

 

[Martinman]

Go to the dentist. NOW!!

Seriously: some people (me for one) have a genetic predisposition to gum disease. It is serious. You can lose teeth, in the long run. This has nothing to do with the fact that you play sax. But: the good news is, this stuff is very treatable. The dentist will tell you what to do. Listen to him/her not to us -- except when we say

Go to the dentist. NOW!!

Thanks for your concern guys.

I was just at the dentist (who was a sax player ironcially) a few weeks ago, which is why I know I have recessed gums. They told me I had a little bit of Gingivitis, but nothing to be concerned about. They just told me not to brush my teeth too hard. I guess my dad did the exact same thing too.

I didn't floss. I do now Mouthwash is in my mouth too. Mouthwash does not bother me; my teeth are not that sensive yet. So Listerene is the stuff to get? I will make a run to the store tonight.

I guess my main concern is that the vibrations from the mouthpiece (which must be strong considering how my mouth feels after I play for a few hours) will make my teeth fall out.

Should I still see a dentist since I was just there?

Thanks

 

[ranma503]

Go every six months so you get them to tell you how you're doing over time, and they can catch things for you and nag you until you take care of yourself. They will also clean your teeth professionally as part of the service.

Worst case scenario is not just stuff going wrong, it's stuff going wrong and not knowing. That's why you go.

 

[Martinman]

Go every six months so you get them to tell you how you're doing over time, and they can catch things for you and nag you until you take care of yourself. They will also clean your teeth professionally as part of the service.

Worst case scenario is not just stuff going wrong, it's stuff going wrong and not knowing. That's why you go.

I go every 6 months.

 

[ranma503]

Well that's good!

In my case, the main reason I have receding gums is, there was a period of 5 years in which I did not go. I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Anyway, that's where I'm coming from.

Hopefully that means your recession isn't that bad, and won't get any worse now that you're flossing.

 

[Martinman]

Hopefully that means your recession isn't that bad, and won't get any worse now that you're flossing.

I don't think it is that bad, it is just that I have huge front teeth, so they make it look bad.

 

[Bill Mecca]

have your blood sugar checked. seriously.

 

[heath]

Floss everytime after you eat and use mouthwash. Use the softest toothbrush you can buy. I use an Oral B that is like extra extra soft and run it under hot water to loosen it up. You should be brushing your gums.

Most tooth brushes are too hard, even the ones that are advertised as being soft.

Flossing is critical to gum health over time. I floss about six times a day that and a gental gum message completely gets rid of any gum bleeding.

 

[Martinman]

Floss everytime after you eat and use mouthwash. Use the softest toothbrush you can buy. I use an Oral B that is like extra extra soft and run it under hot water to loosen it up. You should be brushing your gums.

Most tooth brushes are too hard, even the ones that are advertised as being soft.

Flossing is critical to gum health over time. I floss about six times a day that and a gental gum message completely gets rid of any gum bleeding.

They told me not to brush my gums specifially because that was what was causing the problem. I will give the hot water a shot.

 

[heath]

Do you mean the gum bleeding or the receeding.

I don't have a problem with tissue loss on my gums, but if someone were brushing with anything but a extremely soft brush I could see it happening. You can always message your gums with your fingers, but I think most dentists suggest you stimulate your gums. If you don't they get puffy and swollen, making it really easy to injury them. Part of what makes flossing so helpful is that it toughens the gum tissue.

Are your gums a very light pink or are they bright red.

 

[hakukani]

If you are seeing a dentist, don't worry about it.

Obsessive worrying about your teeth (especially if you dream about your teeth falling out) is usually all about self esteem issues.

 

[Reedsplinter]

If you are seeing a dentist, don't worry about it.

Obsessive worrying about your teeth (especially if you dream about your teeth falling out) is usually all about self esteem issues.

Yep. You say you've been to the dentist lately, so you're OK assuming you have a decent dentist (most are fine). Do what the dentist said, and don't worry about sax playing making your teeth worse: it won't.

 

[Martinman]

Do you mean the gum bleeding or the receeding.

I don't have a problem with tissue loss on my gums, but if someone were brushing with anything but a extremely soft brush I could see it happening. You can always message your gums with your fingers, but I think most dentists suggest you stimulate your gums. If you don't they get puffy and swollen, making it really easy to injury them. Part of what makes flossing so helpful is that it toughens the gum tissue.

Are your gums a very light pink or are they bright red.

What happened was I brushed my teeth too hard, which irritated my gums.

My gums are not light pink, but they are nowhere near bright red. I think with lighter brushing, flossing, and mouthwash I should be ok.

 

[saxsnake]

i definately understand where your coming from dude i had the same problem except perhaps a bit more severely when i was about 17. and it can be a genetic predisposition to that particular ailment but if you have a good dentist they should catch that ive had to have 3 grafts personally but im kind of an exception to the rule it rarely and i do mean very rarely happens the same way as it did with me however to answer your question more shortly no the vibrations arnt going to make your teeth fall out or worsen the problem just keep a check on it and make sure to use good hygene sense
snake

 

[RootyTootoot]

Today I was practicing and I normally feel vibration afteraffects after I finish playing, especialy after an intense practice session. However, the gum right above my front tooth was bleeding slightly.

Just on the "vibration" issue. Are you using a patch on the m/p? I'm just thinking about ways to try and minimise the discomfort if this is becoming a problem for you. I'm always surprised that there do seem to be people who are quite happy to play without a patch..

 

[hakukani]

I played with a patch for a couple of years when I was just out of high school. Of course, back then you had to make your own out of bicycle tire patches or other alternative materials. I kept biting through them in about a month.

I don't quite recall when I stopped using them, but I'm pretty sure it was around the time I turned 20 (junior in college). I've not used them since.