Whee!
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with periodontal disease. Whee. I went to one periodontist (didn't like him). I waited a while and then chose another. By then, apparently, I was in extremis. This periodontist (whom I like very much) was EXTREMELY skeptical of the future of my front teeth (they have short roots, anyway, and the periodontitis hasn't helped) - basically saying I was going to have to have bone and skin grafts, and implants, and all manner of icky-ness. The teeth themselves are perfectly healthy - it's the bone and gum around them that's the problem.
That was a few years ago. Between one thing (Catherine) and another, surgery just hasn't been an option for me. And my own teeth have been hanging on.
For several years, I went to the perio office for a cleaning every three months. And, while there was some minor improvement each time, it wasn't THAT significant - basically, I was just buying time. Part of my problem is that I HATE flossing. Seriously - I REALLY, REALLY hate it.
Then my mom mentioned that my dad (also a periodontal patient) was using a Water Pik (I had one when I had braces way back when, because you can't floss then - in retrospect, I should have kept it). On Black Friday - less than a month ago, I bought one for myself. I've been using it two or three times a week.
I went to the periodontist today, and my hygienist said that my gums have NEVER looked this good. The whole visit went beautifully, culminating in my periodontist basically saying we were reserving future opinion, but that there is currently no need to consider surgery.
That's with less than a month of Water Pik-ing just two or three times a week. This, seriously, from a CBA outlook, is probably the best $40 I've ever spent, and that includes the Waterford lamp I got for $40 at the auction.
That was a few years ago. Between one thing (Catherine) and another, surgery just hasn't been an option for me. And my own teeth have been hanging on.
For several years, I went to the perio office for a cleaning every three months. And, while there was some minor improvement each time, it wasn't THAT significant - basically, I was just buying time. Part of my problem is that I HATE flossing. Seriously - I REALLY, REALLY hate it.
Then my mom mentioned that my dad (also a periodontal patient) was using a Water Pik (I had one when I had braces way back when, because you can't floss then - in retrospect, I should have kept it). On Black Friday - less than a month ago, I bought one for myself. I've been using it two or three times a week.
I went to the periodontist today, and my hygienist said that my gums have NEVER looked this good. The whole visit went beautifully, culminating in my periodontist basically saying we were reserving future opinion, but that there is currently no need to consider surgery.
That's with less than a month of Water Pik-ing just two or three times a week. This, seriously, from a CBA outlook, is probably the best $40 I've ever spent, and that includes the Waterford lamp I got for $40 at the auction.