PITA Bleeding Gums...

[Jolleigh]

Quite badly. Does anyone have any advice? I'm not yet registered at a dentist, though I promise I will (OH is putting his foot down...I have great oral hygiene simply to avoid the dentist but he's put his foot down now). I'm wondering what I can do in the meantime?

Just in case people missed my unintentional repetition...OH has put his foot down

My gums have always bled a tiny amount but since becoming pg they seem to really pour with blood. The best thing I found was flossing at least twice a day. For the first day the gums really bled but this slowed down afterwards - I always used to floss quite often but at least twice a day seems to be doing the trick.

Hope that helps!

Gums can bleed during pregnancy but it can also be a symptom of an underlying problem. Please go to a dentist asap. it's free! I had bleeding gums during pregnancy which ended up masking some underlying gum problems. So I'm a little bit evangelical about pregnancy dental health.

Hopefully your bleeding gums are just pregnancy but until you into a dentist it's a good idea to up you oral hygiene routine. Something like this.

Floss teeth.
Blush teeth for a timed 2- 3 minutes.
Use inter dental brushes. using the largest ones that will fit into the gaps. You might need several sizes but you can rinse them and use again. try to go though the gaps from the front and back.
Finally rise with a non alcoholic mouthwash

It sounds like loads but really takes about 5 or 6 minutes.

Really hope it's nothing but get to the dentist.

I was prescribed corsodyl mouthwash during my pregnancy when my gums went swollen and itchy with a tendency to bleed. you can buy it in supermarkets pharmacies etc if you can't wait for a dentist and a free prescription.

Exactly what hazchem said - you have a good dentist/Hygienist. I'm a hygienist and you need to clean them excellently to avoid your problems. Corsodyl mouthwash will not solve the problem, it will just slightly reduce bleeding and stain your teeth. Get flossing regularly (prob twice a day whilst pregnant) and you'll soon see a difference. Just don't be put off if they bleed like crazy the first few days. Your gums can respond hugely to a tiny amount of plaque when pregnant so you just need to do that bit more to make sure they are spotless. Just toothbrushing won't get in between your teeth.
Honestly if I had a pound for every time a pregnant lady has come in with awful brown stained teeth from using corsodyl mouthwash I'd be rich! Feel free to use alongside flossing though, they do a 'daily defence' version that stains much less.

Don't use mouthwash at all it's a waste of money just after brushing your teeth. Firstly you wash all the fluoride off them from the toothpaste (you should spit your toothpaste out and not rinse with anything) and secondly the ingredients can counteract each other.

Hmm, I've only been flossing once a day...might up that. I generally brush for 2 mins, floss if it's the evening, brush tongue, wait a few mins then use the daily corsodil. Sometimes the bleeding is suddenly really heavy though. And an apple seems to trigger loads of bleeding too.

I promise, I'll get to the dentist!

I'm having a nightmare with mine too, so far I've found switching to a sensitive toothpaste and a new electric toothbrush had really really helped. I'm a bit heavy handed with my brushing which I don't think helps.

My jaw is also incredibly painful during the night. Quick google reveals it may be down to loose joints and I clench my jaw during the night which is now rubbing one of my back teeth causing more pain and sensitivity! Ordered a cheap gun shield last night in the hope that helps a little!

A gum shield obvs, tempting as it may be to shoot myself in the middle if the night I'm going to try the gum shield first!! Lol

I was looking like a vampire everytime I brushed having had almost no problems pre-pregnancy and up to 30 weeks. Managed to improve after really upping my oral hygiene - including an electric toothbursh - but still a bit tender. The best thing was to go and get a full clean from the hygienist, had to pay as it was more than a standard nhs clean but was worth it for the relief.

Try and find a high fluoride toothpaste, my dentist sees me every month when I'm pregnant and puts me on prescription toothpaste as my teeth and gums really suffer. Have not had to resort to corsydil mouth wash just yet.

I had this in first two pregnancies but since last time I've got a Sonicare toothbrush. It sorted out problems I was having pre-preg and I've now got to 37 weeks with a teeny bit of puffiness and the very odd streak of blood when flossing. I think dental professionals are divided on whether Sonicare are good but sems to have worked for me.

You can get a gum shield for free on the Nhs but you have to go to the dentist. I would recommend getting one properly fitted for your bite if you clench/grind your teeth. I have collected my second gum shield today (wore my old one down to hole in less than a year) and have to say they really do help with the neck and shoulder pains I get.

Oh really, thats good to know Xena. I massively hate the dentist, but will see how I get on with the cheap one, if it helps a bit I will get a proper one. When im not pregnant it causes me no problems whatsoever, its only with the loosening joints that its giving me a problem.

Anyone know why dentists dont like sonicare? Thats what I have always had and just upgraded mine!

IME dentists not convinced it's any better than a normal electric toothbrush; hygienists love them.

HMT13 Yes have had excellent care from NHS dentist then, Kings dental and now out of the country see a consultant peridontist (have to pay but at least I'm keeping all my teeth:) )

Jolleigh Yes twice a day with the floss. Very important in pregnancy.

As MrsMorton said mouth wash can wash away some of the fluoride from your toothpaste. I find I still need to use mouth wash to ensure that all food particles are gone from my mouth but you can use mouth wash at other times of the day. After lunch do you get an extra coating of fluoride. I use a non alcohol fluoride mouthwash and drink fluoridated water.

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying talking about oral hygiene.