Bleeding painful gums in pregnancy - can anything be done?

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Anyone know? My gums have been sore for the last few weeks but it's got worse over the last week or so - there's loads of blood when I brush my teeth and what feel like ulcers (but probably aren't - probably swelling) underneath my gums - just a few, not loads. I'm so worried that it's making my breath smell that I'm constantly using mouthwash or chewing Airwaves Anyway, I called a dentist on Friday and the woman said there was nothing they could do anyway, except clean them. Is this true? Is it likely to be a side effect of pregnancy (am 34 wks) or will it carry on? My mum has gingivitis, so does one of my sisters but I've never had this before. My teeth are generally so good in fact that I haven't even got a filling (and I have been to the dentist, just never needed one). Thanks to anyone who can help.

My old man's a dentist (cue song & dance...)
... I've never heard of there being a reason why pregnancy should normally bring on any changes in your gums, but it sounds like you've got some periodontal disease - gingivitus is the common name. I'll ask my dad if he knows anything.

The basic deal is - yes - brushing is the only thing you can really do - but be careful - brush them two or three times a day and carefully and slowly. Brush the gums as much as you brush the teeth, and if you want to be really sure, then get some of that pink stuff that stains plaque - you can see where you've not cleaned (I think it's called disclosing solution).

WWW don't be too worried.
It's thought that pregnancy hormones can make your gums more sensitive to (even tiny) amounts of plaque on your teeth.
Gingivitis is very common in pregnant women and assuming you have a clean healthy mouth, it usually disappears as if by magic aS soon as thse baby is born.
In the meantime keep your teeth as clean as possible; when brushing brush your gums as well and do floss every day. If you are not used to doing this your gums wil get worse before they get better.
Getting them cleaned by a dentist or hygienist is a good idea - there might be hard tartar on your teeth which won't come off with your ordinary toothbrush.
Finally, get some Corsodyl (chlorhexidine gluconate) mouthwash from the chemist and swill it round twice a day after brushing.
You should see an improvement after a week or so.
Best of luck.

ha ha, know the song Tom! Thanks.

Jasper, I was really hoping you'd see this! Will follow all your advice. Many, many thanks.

Hygenist is a very good idea - book an appointment - you'll be amazed at the crap they can scrape out of yer mouth... but they'll get them completely clean so you've got a good basis to work on.

Tom, wonder if I know your old man.. wouldn't that be a small world?

You may know dentists have a high rate of divorce, alcoholism and suicide - do hope your dad is ok

www I
was amazed at the oral symptoms I had in pregnancy - gingivitis ( never had it before or since ), pain and clicking in my jaw joints ( presumeably due to more lax ligamants) and unlocatable toothache.

Everything went right back to normal as soon as the placenta was delivered

He's good thanks... married for 38 years to the same woman, likes a whiskey, but in moderation and hasn't killed himself - he's got a good attitude, which keeps him sane (unlike his partners). He practices in Southampton

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www, I was told by my dentist to floss (at least!) twice a day. prior to my appt, my gums were quite swollen & painful & bleeding. Following his advice was tough to remember & get into the habit, but had almost instant improvement. While at 1st the bleeding was bad with the flossing, it soon stopped altogether. they haven't been swollen since I followed the regime.

He also recommended I used corsodyl, but only for a few days (staining etc) then normal mouthwash, but only twice a week as v. high level of fluoride.

Floss floss floss. Take care of those teeth - the gingivitus can really take hold & cause nasty problems if you don't. I'm so practised I no longer need a mirror & can floss while watching tv (not v. attractive I know, but then, neither is massaging the perineum!)

Sympathy, WWW, cos I am suffering with the same at the mo. Corsydyl was helpful for me last time and am using it now. Can't eat anywhere in my mouth without pain (not helped by fact I definitely need root filling). If you see a hygeinist, make sure they're careful cos the one I saw last year when pregnant was so rough I could have cried. Lost a tooth when pg last year so hope your gums stay strong!!

Vitamin C powder crystals added to your morning juice. Check with doctor, but I don't believe this should "hurt" the baby as long as you don't take more than 1000 units(MG) at a timeI would take this morning and nightif no improvement after 3 days, I would be surprised. Good luck! I would also go for a cleaning to remove any plaque at the rootline. Lots of great advice already on this thread. Sorry if I am controversialI would not want to hurt your baby in any way, please check with doctorbut this worked for me and my DD is just fine! (I also dyed my hair and used nose spray--I always looked down, put my hand on my belly and apologized to her so that may have helped with her survival.

I agree with Moneky, floss floss floss and floss - it doesn't cure it over night but it does work. I also recommend going to a dental hygienist as I did and it worked

The thing is, as far as I know, the painful gums are because of bacteria, and while vit c might ease syptoms, or corsoduyl or whatever, the only thing to really tackle the problem is to get rid of the bacteria, and most people's teeth, esp back ones are closely packed, so brushing isn't brilliant. Flossing manually removes the bacteria & thus really helps.
(have you tried flossing the back teeth then sniffing?!)

This is from my old man...

It is probably ordinary pregnancy gingivitus - very common apparently (i never knew!) - should go away with careful and regular brushing...

...or if it's very smelly and painful it could be acute ulcerative gingivitus - esp if you find it flares up on the lower front gums - if it's this, you'd benefit from metronidozol flagyl - 200 mg - 3x per day for 3 days - but you'd only get this if a dentist or doctor prescribe it, so if you're worried, see a dentist.

Thank you everyone. I bought Corsydyl or however you spell it and will buy floss tomorrow and then maybe see a hygienist next week. Sounds as if it is pregnancy and isn't the acute type as it doesn't feel too terrible atm and it's not so bad on the lower front gums, more on the top front gums, although it is painful after brushing. Only 5 weeks to go of pregnancy, ho hum.

WWW, I was reading about something else last night and came across this information, I don't know how to do a quick link, sorry! This does not relate to you exactly, but I thought it was interesting information in general, it seems like you are doing the perfect thing anyway! Please don't take this the wrong way, OK? Just for a read if you are interested, A mom had written in to this website to ask about diet and how it could have effected her adopted asian son's dental health--this has NOTHING to do with how you might be eating or anything (if you can't tell I'm a bit sensitive about upsetting anyone!)
www.parentsplace.com/expert/dentist/qas/0,,166600_112218,00.html?arrivalSA=1&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=6283455

Oh s*, I've got scurvy then! Only joking Sunchowder, I'm not in the least offended, thank you for thinking of me, it's very kind of you