Dental/Gums

[seminolewind]

I went to a dentist for a bad tooth. He took xrays, and claimed I had gum disease because my gums were red and bled easily, also the gum line was receding. He said he wouldn't do anything till I saw a periodontist and got treatment. My gums have always receeded here and there because of brushing too hard. It's nothing new to me.

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

[42109]

Let us know what you find out. I have an appointment on the 15th. I started right after my last cleaning, so I'm looking forward to this one. The cleaning should be a breeze, but I wonder about the gum issues too.

[MaxUT]

Originally Posted by seminolewind

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

The explanation I read was, the gums were bleeding more easily because the blood flow to them is greater than before, because you aren't taking in as much nicotine (which narrows blood vessels).

Another possibility: if you vape frequently, the increased time your mouth is under low pressure (due to the suction created) will draw out more blood.

Better circulation will also make the gums a deeper color.

[RsL]

Originally Posted by seminolewind

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

I'm not a dentist, but I work for a Dental Insurance company, so hopefully I've learned something in my job. Anyway, gum disease is gum disease, regardless of what causes it. If anything, smoking should be harder on your gums and teeth than vaping. It could be that you have better blood circulation now, but that in itself will not cause bleeding gums and gum disease. Just see the periodontist and get it taken care of.

[steel23]

Hi everyone. I am a dentist. I do also vape. I frequent this board because I am interested in following how vaping affects the oral cavity.

That fact that your dentist refuses to treat your complaint until you get seen by a specialist says a lot about the progression of that condition.

Two questions:
1) Do YOU notice that the increased bleeding is confined to that one tooth or all of your teeth?
2) Is your dentist referring you to a specialist for a condition of generalized gum disease or is it localized to the area around your bad tooth? A common reason is because your entire mouth is at the point where it needs intervention. Another is that your one bad tooth has become diseased to the point where it can no longer be restored without a specialist treating the surrounding tissue/bone first.
There are other reasons but these two points make a big difference so lets start here.

[YoMike]

I had gum disease spent a ton of money over 12 years.
I cured it had them all pulled, now I have dentures and I'm very happy!

[src97]

red irritated gums that bleed upon probing is gingivitis.

gum disease or more appropriately, periodontal disease, is characterized by a loss of bone height (he may have told you you have deep pockets). Now if he discussed bone loss with you (or deep pockets), that is something that has zero to do with vaping. and it certainly is something you should see the periodontist for. be ready to pay a good deal of money. but if you do not want to lose your teeth down the line, there isnt much more you can do.

good luck!

[seminolewind]

Originally Posted by steel23

Hi everyone. I am a dentist. I do also vape. I frequent this board because I am interested in following how vaping affects the oral cavity.

That fact that your dentist refuses to treat your complaint until you get seen by a specialist says a lot about the progression of that condition.

Two questions:
1) Do YOU notice that the increased bleeding is confined to that one tooth or all of your teeth?
2) Is your dentist referring you to a specialist for a condition of generalized gum disease or is it localized to the area around your bad tooth? A common reason is because your entire mouth is at the point where it needs intervention. Another is that your one bad tooth has become diseased to the point where it can no longer be restored without a specialist treating the surrounding tissue/bone first.
There are other reasons but these two points make a big difference so lets start here.

1. I've always had sensitive teeth and I've often had bleeding after flossing, it's just more often now. The bleeding is usually around the canines on the top. There is no bleeding around the bad tooth. But the tooth has an abcess, and it is getting darker. (just yank it out!).
2. The area of the bad tooth seems red and swollen, but I'm not seeing it anywhere else.

I'm 50, maybe this is the beginning of where one starts to fall apart, LOL. I will be seeing a perio. hopefully this week. I'm probably in denial.

Money? Ha. My husband retired in January, so there went the dental plan. I'll have to take out a loan I guess.

I have always taken good care of my teeth. But I'll admit that I have been slacking the last year or two.

[steel23]

Hi Seminolewind,

What you are describing sounds like a necrotic tooth causing an abcess with a severe amount of destruction on the crown or surrounding bone (hence the referral).

Conditions like that have often been brewing for a long time prior to any severe discomfort felt. So, that's a dental problem unrelated to vaping.

The bleeding around the rest of your mouth can easily be caused by you slacking on your hygiene for "the last year or two". Again, highly unlikely to be from vaping.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out well.

[June]

I was told by my dentist that smoking toughens your gums. So, if you stop smoking and start vaping, would your gums become less tough and more sensitive?