Does anyone have an alternative form of dealing with gum disease? I had scaling and root planning already but?

the periodontists are relentless-they want me to make a career out of going to them-now they say gum surgery. What a nightmare that is and I don't believe it will solve anything as the bacteria returns. Also, I am getting massively mixed messages, as the periodontist/dentist/hygenist all disagree. I am convinced there is a kinder, less intrusive, healthier way of dealing with this-anyone have experience with this-would appreciate your feedback
because so far no one is explaining much of anything to me. What I do know is that I do not want to put myself through the agony of gum surgery and I have heard too many sordid tales from those who have.

I recently had the planing and scaling done, as well as arrestin application in the gum pockets, but don't go back for a follow up until November. For me personally, I would not have the gum surgery. I have been told by my dentist that it is sometimes necessary to repeat the planing and scaling. However, my thoughts are that if you are diligent about brushing, flossing, rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash to keep the bacteria at bay, then a follow up procedure should not be necessary if the dentist did a sufficient job when planing and scaling. Unless your periodontal disease is extremely bad, you may be getting this diagnosis simply so the dentist can increase his revenue. The first dentist I went to tried to convince me that I had very advanced periodontal disease, which I found very hard to believe. I researched the disease and came to the conclusion that this dentist diagnosed me like this simply to line his pockets. I sought a second opinion, and indeed did have periodontal disease. However, it was in it's early stages and highly likely that simply planing and scaling would correct the problem. Dentists and doctors are just like mechanics and car salesman - they will tell you whatever is necessary to increase the amount of money they can "extract" ( pardon the pun) from you. For what my 2 cents worth of wisdom is worth, I would recommend the following:

1. Research and educate yourself as much as you can via the internet regarding periodontal disease.

2. Apply this knowledge with common sense to determine if your dentist is being honest with you.

3. Seek another opinion from a different dentist.

4. Always keep in mind that people, including dentists and doctors, are somtimes dishonest to line there pockets.

I wish you the very best of luck. I sympathize with you, as I know from first hand experience that treating this disease is not fun. My original dentist was dishonest with me, and educating myself about the disease so that I could make an informed decision regarding the course of action saved me from having a lot of unpleasant, not to mention unnecessary dental work done.

how about trying this Brush Your Teeth

i use a laser in my practice to sterilize perio pockets. it takes 4 visits, each one week apart. it is an alternative to surgery when cost or patient compliance are at issue. periodontal disease is difficult to fix so, oftentimes, surgery is the only option.

remember....a thorough scrubing and flossing a couple times a day is the best plan.

I have only personal experience to share with you. I have genetically bad teeth and gums. After going through rounds cavities, re-filling cavities, crowns, root canals, scaling, and planing, I've devised a system that has kept my gums and teeth healthy for the last 3 years.

First, I floss with soft woven floss at LEAST 3 times a day. I floss every time I eat anything. I purchased a Sonicare Elite toothbrush which I use twice a day (or 3 times, fi I have lunch at home). The Sonicare Elite is set up to run for 2 minutes, and during that 2 minutes it lets you know to change quadrants of your mouth every 30 seconds. I run it twice -- the first time I brush my teeth, and the second time I brush my gums. If a develop a tender place on my gums, I will focus up to an additional 2 minutes just on that tender place.

Again, I want to stress that this is only my own personal experience.

I have had good results doing this---I brush with a toothpaste that contains NEEM which is an antibacterial herb. At night I brush and then rinse with a sip of regular hydrogen peroxide, the kind you get from the drug store. Lastly I take NEEM in capsule form as well. 4 capsules a day. My gums are healthier and are healing nicely. Clean is the main idea. Keep that mouth clean. I also eat a vegetarian diet so no meat is ever stuck between my teeth. I also think the diet high in fresh vegetables helps my healing ability.

If the gum disease is not curable, I wouldn't be wasting my money on the dentist to do surgery unless he can guarantee it won't come back. In other words, get them pulled and get false teeth, less pain and less money in long run.

i was told that i have the same problem gum disease but i was told that i needed at deep tissue cleaning of my gums and that it was going to cost me $450. i wasnt told that i need to have gum surgery.

I had an experience like that. My grandpa told me to rinse my mouth three times a day with peroxide and before bed rinse my mouth with gin and don't swallow it or drink it. I got an infection from taking an antibiotic which killed the good bacteria in my mouth he said. It worked after only one week ! If you have been told you have periodental disease when they cut the gums it spreads into the blood stream making it harder to fix too. Several of my friends have been through that bit. Dentists are all out to make loads of money!

that first guy who answered you probably doesnt brush his/her own teeth so screw him....

anyway....i'm a dental assistant and our office places a local antibiotic right into the areas where inflammation and pocketing is the worst. Ours is called "arrestin" theres a few others out there. "perio chip" being one of them. The antibiotic kills the bacteria, therefore shrinking the pocket depth. Smaller pockets means less bacteria getting in meaning less inflammation. Ask about it because it sure as hell works with our patients. I know how frustrating this can be as my mother has gone through it. Along with your scaling and root planing, flossing is EXTREMELY important. Another good tip is to rinse as much as you can with warm salt water. Get a water pik and use salt water in that as well. Sonicaire toothbrushes work wonders. Home care is just as important as the clinical care you are recieving.