Sounds sick, huh?
I've been picking at my gums for as long as I can remember. It started in childhood with my fingernails. I would scrape at and poke the corners of my gums where my teeth meet until they bled. It didn't even hurt-it felt good. Now that I am 23, the habit is even worse. I can sit here for hours picking at my teeth. They don't even bleed anymore. I use whatever is small, sharp, and pointed. From thumb tacks, knives, the prongs on a fork, straws, toothpicks, nail files, I could go on forever.
I am really worried that my teeth will eventually start to fall out because the gums are beginning to disappear. The weird thing about it is my teeth are relatively healthy other than that. I take good care of them, brush and floss them regularly, whiten them.
I started thinking today that this was definitely a psychological problem but I've never heard of anyone else having the same problem.
I've tried to use orajel too. It doesn't work. The tingling feels good, then I feel then need to poke. I put orajel on the tool and jam it into my gums. It just feels good, I don't even know how to explain it. The best way for me to try to explain is it's almost like itching and a constant need to scratch.
Wish someone could help.
Gum Picking
you know I have a similar habit, I chew off the inside of my cheeks and lips with my teeth and nails. I feel like I have to peel off the inner skin of my cheeks all the time and now I have canker sores popping up everywhere! I think gum picking and cheek picking are a form of OCD. I'm in a yahoo group for skin pickers that you might want to check out its called Pickaderms. Hope this helps!
I just love the feeling
I knew that i wasn't the only one who loves to pick at their gums until they bleed. It feels so good, especially after the picking occurs. I enjoy how the tingling occurs awhile after the actual picking. It makes me keep coming back for more. I mainly do this at night...even in my sleep...or when I can't sleep. I love how the gums start to recede. Sounds weird, but it makes me want to pick at them more. There is more space for picking. LOL.
I had a tooth removed in Febuary of last year, and the wound has long healed, but now I have an open space for picking at. I prefer my fingernail, but if a tac or pin becomes available, that is wonderful as well.
I even found myself doing this in public places like work. I dodn't even care that I was doing it. The spaces in between my teeth are becomming larger, and I love how much easier it is to get something in there. Keep posting...I can't stop this, and probably need professional help. I have been doing this since childhood.
An addict in Arizona
I have been doing this since I was little. I can remember I had a favorite spot- right between my canine and first molar on the right side. I remember picking at that spot just felt right to me somehow... At some point my favorite spot switched to a different area... I would definitely never pick at the old spot now. It would just feel weird.
Goodness knows how many times I have probably taxed my immune system
doing this- once the wound has been inflicted, I have a tendency to push down on the spot with my fingers. They have to be dry and salty for it to feel right... I can seriously just leave my finger on the same spot for as long as I want and it'll just keep burning.
I do this all quite absent-mindedly... If I am paying attention, I can keep myself from doing it, but the minute I don't focus on it, I'll discover myself doing it again.
It seems to happen most when I am bored or stressed, but also sometimes when I am reading a good book I will do it and because I am so absorbed in the book, I will do a lot of damage without even noticing. There have been times when I have picked for so long that I have developed a headache from it.
I have always wondered why this feels so damn good to do! There is no other way to describe it but as immensely pleasurable. I am a huge baby when it comes to any other kind of pain, so why does this feel good??? Anybody have any idea?
I have done the same thing! When I was little I used to scrap my gums until they were raw. Then i started shoving toothpicks and sharp objects into them. It doesn't hurt. It feels good...but like almost a euphoric feeling. Sometimes I can't stop. I then rinse with scaulding hot water and salt. It makes them sting but it hurts them for a while which takes the urge to pick away. Just try not to damage any nerves...
(04-01-2009 04:26 PM)Guest Wrote: [ -> ]Sounds sick, huh?
I've been picking at my gums for as long as I can remember. It started in childhood with my fingernails. I would scrape at and poke the corners of my gums where my teeth meet until they bled. It didn't even hurt-it felt good. Now that I am 23, the habit is even worse. I can sit here for hours picking at my teeth. They don't even bleed anymore. I use whatever is small, sharp, and pointed. From thumb tacks, knives, the prongs on a fork, straws, toothpicks, nail files, I could go on forever.
I am really worried that my teeth will eventually start to fall out because the gums are beginning to disappear. The weird thing about it is my teeth are relatively healthy other than that. I take good care of them, brush and floss them regularly, whiten them.
I started thinking today that this was definitely a psychological problem but I've never heard of anyone else having the same problem.
I've tried to use orajel too. It doesn't work. The tingling feels good, then I feel then need to poke. I put orajel on the tool and jam it into my gums. It just feels good, I don't even know how to explain it. The best way for me to try to explain is it's almost like itching and a constant need to scratch.
Wish someone could help.
LOL weird, I thought I was the only one. I have wondered if this is actually something similar to other tissue massage in why it feels good. Massaging your gums does make them tighter and send blood and hence nutrients there. hmm.
I experience the same thing!!
i find that flossing much satisfies this strange craving, and has the additional benefit of being good for the teeth and gums. i always make sure to have some of those little plastic flossers around, they are awesome for this.
I am completely shocked that there are so many people who do this.