Toddler bleeding gums - to brush or not?

[beemay]

DS 2.5 has got primary herpetic gingivostomatitis - started with fever a week ago, then cold sores around the mouth and bleeding gums. His gums bleed if I even so much as touch them with the toothbrush and obviously he is in a lot of distress. Dentist is insisting we keep on gently brushing and she will review him in 2 weeks. Has anyone had experience of this and did you keep brushing through the sore/bleeding gum stage? How long did it last, did it go away on its own...?

My 3.5 old son has just got over this. Lasted all of 8 days. Swollen gums cold sores in the mouth on the lips. It was horrendous. He didn't eat for a week, just lived on milk. I didn't brush his teeth at all, just got him to rinse his mouth with warm salty water few times a day. Keep up with the painkillers. Hope your child picks up soon.

Thank you v much pk78. I can imagine getting a 3.5 year old to understand rinsing mouth (and not swallowing salty water!) but not sure my 2.5 year old will get that... I think I will stop brushing to give his gums a chance to calm down, but that does go against what the dentist advised, argh.

If it helps, I am a dentist!! I was worried about his teeth more than anything, but he is fine even with no brushing for over a week.Must say his breath stank!
You can try using a damp soft muslin wrapped around your finger to clean his gums if he can tolerate that, half an hour after painkiller so it is less sore.