Re: Digest Number 508

[Guest guest]

>Message: 2

> Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 01:06:21 -0800

>

>Subject: Re: Gum Disease - Help!

>

>snip<>

>I am writing to see if anyone else has any other suggestions or has gone

>through this before. Should I just wait and see if the antibiotics start

>helping or should I go back to the doctor. A dentist is out of the

>question.

>

>Please help someone!

>

>Thanks in advance.

>

>

>JANISE

Dear Janise,

I would like to support those that have said that the ultra-sound

toothbrush, FLOSSING, and rinsing with LISTERINE (not Scope or some other

brand) are essential...at least twice a day. No less than once a day on the

flossing and twice is better. These are maintenance actions and will not

SOLVE your gum problem.

You must get what is called a " peridontal cleaning. " (Didn't the dentist

tell you this?) It usually takes 2 - 3 45 minute sessions to complete this

but it is absolutely critical if you are going to keep your teeth. It is not

a routine teeth cleaning as it involves cleaning well below the gum line.

I've recently had this done and while it wasn't fun (it requires deadening

your gums), the results are well worth it. The antibiotics should help

short term, but you really must find a clinic or some other means to get

this procedure. I don't know what size community you live in, but if it is

large enough to have a dental or dental hygiene school, find out if they

accept pro bono (free) patients for their students. Most do. Also, I would

suggest contacting the ADA (American Diabetes Association) in your city and

finding an advocate for yourself. I would not be at all surprised if they

could help you find the professional help you need.

A dental school would also be a place to seek help for your TMJ problem. Do

you grind your teeth in your sleep? This can often aggravate TMJ. A

dentist should be able to help you with medication to help you sleep without

grinding or fit you with a device to wear when you sleep to help with this

problem. It sounds like your life is fairly high stress right now which

also aggravates TMJ. One way to release the built-up tension in your jaw is

to open your mouth absolutely as WIDE as you can and hold it that way for

several seconds several times a day. Until the antibiotics do their job and

the infection is under control, this may be too painful right now. When you

do this however, there are chemicals (toxins) in your muscles and joints

that are released and excreted that cause your muscles to stay tense in that

area. I have some minor TMJ problems and I find that when I feel my jaw

getting tense or sore, this helps. I try to do it several times a day even

if I am not in pain. Managing your stress through meditation or deep

relaxation can also help to ease TMJ. By the way, the dentist you saw

sounds like a real jerk to not try to help you locate other resources. Some

days I really hate the medical profession.

Hang in there, hon, but don't let this problem go. A dentist is not out of

the question. There are people that will help you, but you may have to work

a little bit to find them. If you do nothing about your gum disease, the

inevitable result is the loss of your teeth. You should also be aware that

excessive plaque and gum problems have also been linked to some heart

problems. I cannot overemphasize the importance of the peridontal cleaning.

This is sooo important. I wish you all the best. If you are willing to

share what city you are in, I will even help you look. If you want to email

me privately, my email addy is mjames@.... I am in Houston, Texas.

One more question. Is the doctor you are seeing a diabetic specialist or a

GP? I have never heard of a " borderline " diabetic. It sounds like

something a GP (sorry you GP's out there) might say. Do you monitor your

blood sugar? If you do not own a blood glucose monitor, I know for a fact

that you can get one at no cost.

Hugs,

TypeII, insulin, age 41

diagnosed 7/98

P.S. A request to all posters:

On behalf of those of us that read the digest version, I have a favor to

ask. Please try to keep your reposting of posts you are responding to to a

minimum and snip/paste only a portion of the post you are responding to. It

is VERY frustrating to scroll through multiple reposts (especially long

ones), when it would be sufficient to repost only a few lines. It also

makes it hard to distinguish the new information from the old post(s).

Thank you very, very much. MJ

P.P.S. Sam, your story is very encouraging. Hopefully, I will be able to

accomplish what you have and get off the insulin.