Calling all bleeding gum sufferers / dentists!

[pegasus]

I have had a severe bout of sore and bleeding gums over the last few days. Can I clear this up myself by doing what I'm supposed to do: interdental brushes, electric toothbrush, mouthwash twice a day, or do I have to go to a dentist? I'd rather not go if I can clear it up on my own!

[pesme]

i had alot of this when pregnant and sporatically since. i always go to the dentist when it gets really bad. other wise swill with salt water and floss regularily - since flossing my gums have been loads better. there are lots of herbal remedies which i keep meaning to investigate. this is a misery so i hope you are better soon.

[pegasus]

Thanks pesme! What did the dentist do when you went? What herbal remedies are there - I'll try anything! :)

[ComeOVeneer]

Salt water rinses, corsodyl mouthwash good cleaning/flossing. But I would advise a trip to the dentist (or hygeinist) to have them checked (rule out any underlying gum disease) have a good clean and check your brushing technique. Long term gum problems can result in loss of teeth.

[pesme]

dentist cleaned it out and gave me a gel thing in a syring to apply to get rid of infection. she also sent me to the hygenist to learn how to floss properly. i can't remember what the herbal rememdies are but if you go into a good health food type place they should put you right.

mine is definitely hormone related and i get quite bad migraines with it too.

[fuzzywuzzy]

I had this when pg, I used corsadyl mouthwash which cleared it up, but if it's persistent I would go see a dentist.

[expatinscotland]

I lost a tooth to gum problems related to pregnancy.

It had an old crown on it and at the time I had the root treatment the dentist had to put a post in it - it had been filled mulitple times during my teens/young adulthood.

Well, my gums receded during pregnancy and an infection got between the crown and gum and up into the pocket there.

Not nice! I have to have a bridge next month.

Glad you went to the dentist and got it sorted.

[waterfalls]

I developed gum disease while pregnant with dts, dentist said it can be caused by a huge hormone change in the body, so I would deffo advise seeing a dentist.

[pesme]

eek! expat. i am off to floss. i went for an emergency appointment with a dentist when i was pregnant and i said i was worried about loosing a tooth due to being pregnant. he laughed superciliously and said it was an old wifes tale. 1 year later i had my first filling ever. being pregnant sucks.

[expatinscotland]

How unprofessional of him to laugh like that!

Pregnancy honestly can cause hormonal changes that affect the gums, that's why the NHS gives you a maternity exemption.

In my case I think it was also b/c the gum receded on the inside - on the side of my tooth where it wasn't visible to me. It was an upper molar, too, so hard to get a look in there.

If I had seen it, I probably would have caught it sooner.

I have had LOADS of cavities, root canals, etc. over the years.

I don't really know why. I take excellent care of my teeth and don't drink fizzy drinks, eat lots of sugar - mainly b/c I am vain about my weight.