Periodontal Disease and CKD

[orangecity41]

I am CKD level 3 and now have gingivitis that is becoming chronic even with dental treatment .

Please share your story.

[Miss-guineapig]

Snap Orangecity!!!…I was referred to a dental hospital in Dundee for gum disease, prior to being diagnosed with CKD stage 3a. I got such intensive teeth cleaning especially under my gums an excellent job actually. To cut a long story short at my last visit the dental consultant then could make total sense of my gum problem. He said there is limited research but a direct relation with CKD and gum health. I still struggle with my gums and see the hygienist 4/5 times a year for cleaning and care. They are better but it will always be an ongoing issue. Hope you are ok Orangecity, wishing you well 😬😘

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Miss-guineapig]

Thanks for sharing. I am doing ok.

[Darlenia]

Gingivitis happens to almost everyone as we age. My dental practice told me that I had signs of it, urged using special toothpaste, to ramp up flossing and brushing, adding mouth wash, etc. The thing was I was always good about that - flossing and brushing twice a day. One dental hygienist (the only one) urged that I use a water pic. That's made a world of difference. I still go in for quarterly cleaning and so on, but there's very little buildup of any sort - around or in the gum area. I use a small, rechargeable water pic that you can use anywhere - over a basin, in the shower, etc. I also quickly swish around mouthwash when I take a bathroom break. I no longer bother flossing, unless I notice something "stuck" somewhere. The water pic scrubs everything off everything else. Very nice gadget that works wonders.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Darlenia]

I am now using a water pic. Thanks for sharing

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to orangecity41]

Be careful about using anything with peroxide in it...it can damage your gums and create more infection...

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Thanks for information on peroxide toothpaste

[GoodHealthIsAJourney in reply to Darlenia]

Did your dental practice recommend mouth wash? Mine told me it creates an acidic environment in your mouth and can cause cavities! Ugh. I do love my waterpik though!

[Darlenia in reply to GoodHealthIsAJourney]

A number of years ago, a hygienist told me to use floss and mouthwash. (I think it was in reaction to a report published back then that said flossing only produced modest results.) No one has told me to use mouthwash recently - I just carried on with it over the years - a habit. I'm glad you mentioned that mouthwash can lead to an acid environment. I'm going to ask about that. It's time to update myself!

[Mathewmatic]

I am in the same situation. I just had a gum clean (not the first) at the dentist - they did originally quote £800 but I held out for NHS (£70). I brush twice a day with quite expensive electric brush and use Tepe interdental brushes. The previous dentist advised against using Corsodyle mouthwash because she said it only works as long as you use it and doesn't actually make a permanent repair. The new dentist has recommended Corsodyl toothpaste!

[PecanSandie]

About 20 years ago. I had periodontal disease. I had what is called scaling and root planing. They do it by quadrants of your mount so I had to go in four times. They numb up the area they are working on and go under the gum to scale your teeth. After they are done, they put an antibiotic under the gum which gradually dissolved over time. In one area of my mouth where the pocket that had formed was too large to treat with scaling & root planing, I had surgery to close up the gap. After that I went to get my teeth cleaned three times a year for many years and now I am down to twice a year. The only place that gives me trouble is behind my two front bottom teeth where apparently there are glands and it's hard to avoid getting plaque in that area. The hygienist spends a lot of time cleaning that area. I brush twice a day with an Oral B electric toothbrush and whitening toothpaste and that seems to do the trick.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to PecanSandie]

Thanks for sharing. Similar situation. I also get teeth deep cleaned 3 times a year. I also have Oral B electric toothbrush. We do what we have to.

[PecanSandie in reply to orangecity41]

I was going to get a waterpik but I tried it once and I felt I was waterboarding myself. I think I might like it if I could learn to use it.

[TableTennisMama in reply to PecanSandie]

PecanSandie, Don’t give up. I felt that way the first couple times I used mine. It’s hard to get used to keeping your mouth semi open so that the water flows out, but once you get the hang of it it’s quite simple. I find it very effective and hardly ever need to floss as the water pic is much more effective throughout the gumline and between the teeth.

[ZenPDX]

Before I was accepted on the transplant list I was required to get a checkup from my dentist to make sure that I didn't have gum disease. In my discussion about transplants and dental care my dentist recommended Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% mouthwash to reduce the risks of periodontal disease. It's fairly inexpensive but you need a prescription from your dentist to get it. I've gone to the same dentist for over thirty years so I have faith in his recommendations. You might want to discuss CG with your dentist.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Thanks for info.

[WildIris]

I have always had periodontal problems since before CKD, a lot of bone loss etc. When I gave up all sweeteners a few years ago, sugar probably the most important one, it improved a lot. If you do eat sugar, just be sure to clean your mouth really well after. It apparently breeds or feeds some kind of harmful oral bacteria.

[CheetieCat]

Thanks for info, I had broken some capped teeth due to night grinding & clenching and had to have them fully removed last year.

I now have a partial upper plate (which I hate) but ever since my remaining teeth have become so sensitive and my gums do seem inflamed in a couple of areas.

Sensitive toothpaste has helped a bit but not completely and was putting it all down to the plate but now your post has got me thinking 🤔

Next check up on the 7th so good timing.

[appledonut]

I’ve dealt with periodontal disease for 30+ years due to genetic defect that made the enamel on my teeth weak and porous. Didn’t know it, but probably most of those years I also had CKD ( though doctors didn’t tell me until last year when I’m teetering between Stages 3b-4!) Finally was able to get complete upper dentures and partial (molars) dentures in 2007. Now last year, when I FINALLY got good dental insurance (Medicare Advantage) my lowers are now full dentures. It’s wonderful, finally no more toothaches! Too bad not until I was 68 years old!