Gum Disease?

[youngsmoker]

Hi I think I may have gum disease, when I smile I don't notice my gums inflamed at all but if I lift up my lip and look it looks inflamed with a little white so I haven't smoked in 2 days and been flossing and using mouth wash with my brushing I'm jyst curious if anyone else has had this problem?
Edit: Corrected capitalization in title per Rule #9, L.

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine

 

[phred]

Hm - I'd get a professional opinion, if at all possible. Gum inflammation can be anything from local irritation that will resolve itself in a few days to an indicator of something serious (abscesses are definitely something one should not ignore...).
I'm due for a dental exam this month, and I'll be talking to my hygienist about my new hobby - she's very thorough about checking for issues, and will likely catch any changes long before I would.

 

[allan]

Youngsmoker
When was the last time you visited the dentist?
Gum disease from my experience can be from many different many different reasons including placque build up when not visiting the dentist.
In my case, years ago I hadn't visited the dentist for 2 years and with steady gum treatments at my dentist office, it was taken care of.
Hopefully a visit to your dentist will solve the issue.
Good luck

Allan

 

[youngsmoker]

Thanks look like I need to go to the dentist haven't been in a year scince I haven't had any cavities in 10 years.

 

[cigrmaster]

I get my teeth cleaned every 3 months. I smoke and drink a lot of coffee and tea so my teeth would be very stained if I did not. Teeth need cleanings because of plaque build up and if you don't go enough then gum disease can be a real problem. I don't get cavities but I still go to the dentist. You should also use an electric tooth brush and a waterpik to keep your gums healthy. If you find out you do have a gum problem get some stimudents, they are a wooden tooth pick that you stick between your teeth and massage your gums. With a good tooth brush, waterpik and the stimudents, you can counteract gum disease. If you ignore it then you will be in for deep root scalings and then surgery which is a fortune. My sister went through that and it was painful as hell. Gum disease can also lead to bone loss and then you will lose your teeth.

 

[dochudson]

Thanks look like I need to go to the dentist haven't been in a year scince I haven't had any cavities in 10 years.

cavities are pretty rare thee days (in the US anyways) because of the fluoride in the water supplies. but, my advice is get into the habit of getting your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. best way to catch anything before it gets out of hand. I was never big on flossing but have used a sonic-care brush since they came out and I love these thing,

 

[crazypipe]

Read this

http://www.periobirth.com/treatment.html

 

[reichenbach]

Yikes Teddy. I think I will call my dentist tomorrow. I have also found that using a salt water solution helps to keep your mouth hydrated (smoking dries your mouth out).

 

[theboz]

-Dochudson, I agree that the fluoride in the water is a factor. However, not everyone has city treated water, we have a well here so if there is any fluoride it would have to be dissolved into the aquifer.

 

[mso489]

I don't know how long you've smoked. It is quite possible that the gum irritation is not caused by the

pipe smoking, but it could irritate a process that is already happening. Your dentist may refer you to

a gum specialist. Get that squared away, and ask their advice on smoking. I think gum disease tends to

be a susceptibility of individuals. Some people have problems, other don't. Most are successfully treated.

 

[dochudson]

-Dochudson, I agree that the fluoride in the water is a factor. However, not everyone has city treated water, we have a well here so if there is any fluoride it would have to be dissolved into the aquifer.

I thought that would go without saying.. but to clarify for some of you it's fluoride that is added when the water is processed by your public water system. if you have your own well (like I do) it's even more important to get to the dentist and remind him about the fact you drink well water when home but more than likely don't when you are at work unless you happen to work from home or work at a company that has it's own wells. you could also throw in the possibility of using fluoride toothpaste and/or mouthwash. but, since the OP states he hasn't had a cavity in 10 years I suspect it's irrelevant.