My 3 year old has bleeding gums

[Rebelwithallthecause]

I’m so worried and feeling like a terrible parent

Obviously dentists aren’t open at the moment

Is there anything I can do to help now?

He brushes teeth twice a day with a toddler toothbrush but I’ve felt it and it’s bristles are harder than my toothbrush so have bought a curaprox child’s soft toothbrush in case that helps

He’s too young for gun disease surly?

It will be where you have missed bits of plaque when brushing and the gums have got inflamed. Keep brushing his teeth twice per day. Don’t avoid brushing even when they bleed. Do you brush his teeth or do you let him do it himself?

We usually let him do it whilst watching and then do it a bit more after where he’s missed

I’ve just had a new baby and DH is now at work before 3 year old gets up so he’s been doing his own in the morning as I’m usually attached to feeding baby

I feel so awful

Don't be so hard on yourself, we all miss things sometimes. Make sure you brush him as well from now on, and keep an eye on it. My kid is 7 and we still make sure to do it ourselves once a week, just to be on the safe side. At 3yo we did it ourselves at least twice a week. Again, don't be so hard on yourself. Hugs

At three he won't have the manual dexterity needed to thoroughly brush his teeth.

You really should be doing it all, not just what he misses.

Children under 7 should be having their teeth brushed by an adult, then supervised by an adult when proficient.

If he’s at the stage of having bleeding gums, he may also have some degree of cavities or even potential gum infection.

Call your dentist, they should have a voicemail message with instructions for emergency dentists who can advise or potentially see the little one.

You need to start brushing his teeth yourself.

Does he eat fruit and vegetables, get enough vitamin C?

@Rebelwithallthecause please don’t be hard on yourself. He is to little to do it by himself, small children don’t have the manual dexterity to do it properly. If you brush his teeth for him from now on twice a day it should all come good. Don’t stop brushing if they bleed, you have to carry on. When the dentists re open it might be a worth a check up just to make sure his oral health is good.

I’m feeling terrible this morning

He’s woken up and his pillow is soaked in blood

Looked in his mouth and there is one area that’s really swollen.
I’m not too sure if it’s something that’s got lodged and is causing the bleeding as I’ve never seen anything like this with bleeding gums

That doesn't sound right. If it's swollen & he's soaked the pillow with blood call your dentists asap. Mine is open & even yours aren't they should be able to direct you to emergency care. Otherwise call your GP / 111 for advice.

You need to see the GP if he’s bleeding like that.

Yes going to sort out urgent appointment this morning as soon as they open

Will try dentist first otherwise GP

I am the shittest mum right now

Brush brush brush. A dentist won't do anything for a 3 year old especially during a pandemic. It will get better regular decent brushing.

GP will see you, and dentist will too. I'd say soaking a pillow in blood is urgent, the swelling could be a wee pocket of infection? Hope your boy is okay, don't blame yourself, it is hard enough.

I hope he's ok. How scary for you both. As others have said definitely get an appointment for the dentist.

Also i would make sure to brush his teeth yourself from now on. Once before bed and one other time throughout the day.

I think it’s something lodged there from what I can see but I’m guessing it’s become infected

Oh bless him. I hope you manage to get an apt. Hugs

Update - we ended up in A&E. turns out it’s Thrombocytopenia and he’s now having full blood count to try and find out how low the playlet count is and find out the cause.

I’m so worried

My little sister had ITP ( idopathic thrombocyopenia) when she was about 4 years old. She was covered in bruises. The doctors told us it sometimes happens after a viral infection. She was given steroids and monitored. I hope you get good news soon x

I was about to say that is a symptom for hospital and bloods, not the dentist.

You must be frantic with worry.

I hope he's ok. ☹️

So sorry to hear your update. Hope your DS is ok

They are now saying leukaemia after tests

He’s being transferred to great ormond street for further tests and to start treatment

So shocked and sad

Oh my goodness OP. Remember you got this checked out early you didn't leave it. Wishing your family and your strong DS all the best xx

Oh op! I'm so sorry to read your update. I really do wish you all the best

You've got him checked out as soon as you realised something was wrong. Stay strong xx

Oh goodness how awful. Keeping everything crossed for you both