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Children's health

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Original poster

Four years olds gums are suddenly bleeding and ulcerated - dentist advising it could be viral

48 replies

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 16:58

I have taken my eye off the ball over Christmas and let my partner deal with my four year old while I sort the baby and the festivities. So he has been cleaning his teeth night and morning and getting him washed dressed etc.

I am very careful with his teeth and his last dental appointment was about 6 weeks ago and everything was fine. This morning I noticed his gums were red and inflamed with red dots and white marks which the dentist has said is the start of an ulcer. My partner took him to the dentist this afternoon as I managed to grab a cancellation and from what I can gather he has said he sees this a lot in children my son's age. He is currently unwell so he is attributing it to a virus and advising we try and get him to gargle salt water and if it doesn't clean up in a week we are to ring NHS direct.

I'm so angry with myself as I don't know when this started and I also think the dentists advise seemed a bit woolly. He hasn't suggested seeing him again or mentioned referring him or anything. I assume ringing the NHS helpline will be to try and get referred to a dental hospital?

Any advice would be very much appreciated as I need a plan of action beyond just waiting and seeing what happens. Thank you.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

WaccaWacca · 05/01/2017 19:19

My DD had this aged around 18 months. She was really poorly but recovered quickly and now just gets the odd coldsore when she's run down, like me. It's a real shame she suffers with them, but I think there is very little you can do to stop them being exposed to the virus if you have it.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 19:50

I think the horse will already have bolted with he one year old as they have been with each other constantly the last 24 hours kissing and cuddling. What am I sterilising with? Milton?

OP posts:

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 20:37

One more question. Do I need to take him to the doctor or only if it persists or becomes really severe? If the 11 month old catches it do I need to take him or again only if it becomes severe?

The 11 month old is still breast feeding, I have no idea if it could affect my nipples? God my head hurts trying to work out how to look after them both tomorrow and somehow stop them from being close. It's a nightmare.

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 05/01/2017 20:46

A 4yo shouldn't be brushing his own teeth. Not until he can wash his hair on his own at least. So important.

OP, try to relax, it's nothing you've done. If it persists or he's not eating and drinking then I'd suggest a GP appointment. Otherwise, as with most viruses, it's fluids and pain relief until the worst is over.

Maybe DP could watch some youtube videos on brushing? Or get some disclosing tablets to help if you think he's not doing it right but I don't think he's to blame here.

I'm a dentist btw. You should be fine as it primarily affects children but it does sound like you need to take some time for yourself and make sure you get enough rest, food and fluids.

Goje · 05/01/2017 21:12

Definitely agree with your partner learning how to brush teeth. If he can do his own properly surely he can do his child's teeth, rather worrying that he doesn't know how and it got to this stage.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 05/01/2017 21:38

Goje have you read the thread? On page 1 a mumsnetter very kindly linked me to a condition which I'm 99% sure having looked at photos and symptoms my son has. Obviously this was the virus the dentist was alluding to without giving it it's official name. So my worries about teeth cleaning were obviously unfounded as sadly it seems my son actually has a primary herpes outbreak and this is why his poor gums are inflamed and he has sores on his lip and gums.

OP posts:

WaccaWacca · 05/01/2017 22:45

I would say that you and your nips will be fine - its the first outbreak of the virus that is really nasty. As you suffer from coldsores you already have the virus.

Breastfeeding was a lifesaver when DD had it, was the only thing she ate or drank for about 5 days!

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 06/01/2017 09:03

Thanks WaccaWacca. Overnight was better than i thought. Lots of wake ups initially then he slept from 2am onwards. I've given him some Calpol and he is drinking water. His mouth just seems extremely painful and he just wants to sleep, so I shall keep monitoring him and see how we go.

OP posts:

Badders123 · 06/01/2017 17:17

If he starts refusing liquids you know what to do op.
Good luck and I hope he feels better soon x

Badders123 · 06/01/2017 17:18

Just as an aside....
I'm pretty sure my son got it so badly because he hasn't had chicken pox yet.
In fact I'm looking into gettting him vaccinated

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 06/01/2017 17:57

Amazingly DS is up and eating and saying the virus has gone and he feels fine!! He has a big old coldsore on his lip and his gums at still red and inflamed - although better than yesterday, but in himself he seems really normal.

He hasn't had chicken pox yet either Badders

OP posts:

Badders123 · 06/01/2017 18:42

Glad to hear that 👍

DailyFail1 · 07/01/2017 00:39

Strongly suggest GP. Bleeding gums together with feeling run down are serious symptoms

FadedRed · 07/01/2017 01:28

^^As DailyFail says, I reiterate that he should be seen by GP. Sore gums, tiredness and 'viral symptoms' could be indications of more serious illness that should be ruled out.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 07/01/2017 12:13

If he were showing any worrying signs aside from his gums and Coldsore on lip I would be trying to get an appointment don't worry. But very luckily he is absolutely fine in himself. Eating and drinking as normal and jumping and throwing himself around.

OP posts:

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 07/01/2017 12:16

To add; if his gums don't return to normal within a week I shall be seeking further advice per the dentists suggestion. They look somewhat improved but not 'normal'.

OP posts:

age81 · 07/01/2017 12:27

My DD had something similar at 19 months old, the dr actually thought she was just teething as you could just see the tops of each tooth above the gum. She has a full set of teeth, but the gums were so swollen.

The dentist said it was herpes virus and we would have to sit it out, she picked on bits of food and we almost had to retrain her how to try different foods/textures which took a very long time.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 07/01/2017 14:11

Age81 we though the same. We thought maybe his new teeth were coming g through or something!!

OP posts:

age81 · 08/01/2017 09:19

DD is 15 now, so such a long time ago, but I remember it being months before she ate properly a good year or two before she would co sister a sandwich.

It's good that your DS is still eating and drinking.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 08/01/2017 10:46

Bless her ☹️ He does seem to be coping really well although understandably doesn't want to eat crunchy things. At the moment I'm getting porridge down him, he's drinking milk and I'm going to try sippy eggs later with soft toast.

As you are right down the line now can I ask how often your daughter gets coldsores? I'm trying to work out how the hell I will deal with him getting them as a child when I know he won't understand not touching it and that its contagious etc. Did you keep your daughter off of school when she had an outbreak to protect the other kids?

OP posts:

age81 · 08/01/2017 16:20

She has never actually had a
cold sore (which I'm glad about), the dentist just said it was the virus she had.

We managed with calpol and inbrufen for pain relief, lots of fluids and whatever she would eat, which wasn't much.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 08/01/2017 16:30

Oh that's interesting 🤔

OP posts:

browneyedgirl23 · 19/01/2017 22:57

Sorry to jump on this post - my daughter has had a virus for a week, the last 3 days her gums are really red and swollen to the point you can't see some of her teeth (she only had little teeth to start with), she's also not been eating and had a fever for 6 days.
I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow but I wondered if you actually took your son and if so what they said? If you didn't, has it all cleared up and how long did it take?
Any advice or help would be great as I'm really worried!

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