[nia123]

I am hoping you can help me. I visited my dentist yesterday and was very sad to see that I am suffering from ANUG after letting my gums bleed every time I brushed my teeth for about 6-7 months. During my check up where this was found the dentist took 2 X rays & gave me a routine examination although did not find any cavities nor anyhting else wrong with my teeth apart from the Gum Disease. He prescribed me with Metronizadole which I am to take 3 times a day for 5 days. I started this yesterday so far have taken 3 tablets yesterday & 2 today. I am booked in to see my dental hygienist in a weeks time to carry out any other treatment. Ever since I started to take the tablets yesterday I have suffered a lot of toothache especially the bottom left near the back. One of my teeth seems to have a very sharp edge on it which I have never felt before & it is giving me great pain. This was not the case when I vistited my dentist. I have some questions for you:

1) Would my toothache be caused by taking these tablets?
2) Should I return to my dentist & see what the problem is despite him not seeing anything when he gave me an examination nor in the X rays or will the dental hygieneist be able to diagnoise the problem when I see her on Tuesday?
3) What will the dental hygienist do in order to fix the ANUG problem (it is only the front of my mouth which has ANUG -both top & bottom). I am quite a nervous patient & am scared as to what I will have to go through. Will I be numbed or will it just be a regular scale & polish which I have had on many occasions?
4) Will my problem be fixed in 1 session or will I have to return on several occasions?

Many thanks for your help in advance

[flossie]

Hi nia123,

Here are some answers for you:
1) The toothache is not caused by the metronizadole.
2) You should call the dentist and let them know you are having pain. They may want to get you in to take a look at the area.
3)The dental hygienist will do a thorough cleaning of your teeth both above and below the gums and she will teach you how to take care of your teeth by providing you with the tools and instructions of what to do every day. There is a good chance you will have some freezing to make it more comfortable for you, it would depend on your pain threshold.
4)I doubt likely your problem will be fixed in one visit. It could take 4-6 visits over the next 3 months.

Your dental hygienist should do periodontal measurements where she walks a measuring tool around all the teeth and records the numbers on your chart. This is necessary for follow-up so bone levels can be monitored.

Make sure you are taking lots of Vitamin C as this can help prevent ANUG.