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[saranga]

I'm 36 weeks and my gums have just started bleeding when I brush them. Is there anything I can do about it? Is it a big problem?
My teeth around the bleeding area feel tender and the affected gum is sore.
I hate going to the dentist and my next midwife appointment is next week.

Will the bleeding stop once the child has been born? If so, I can probably ignore it for another couple of weeks. Or is it something that needs to be addressed?

What the hell. i intended to title this just 'bleeding gums'. My laptop has got extra sensitive lately and highlights and copies random pieces of text. No idea why. Now i can't seem to edit it. Bah.

Title made me laugh!

I would say see a dentist for advice if you can. I have always had trouble free teeth, no fillings, no discolouration etc, all fine until I had DD and then suddenly I needed an enormous and very painful filling-there was even talk of me losing the tooth altogether at one point though thankfully that wasn't necessary. Gum health can go to hell in pregnancy. I'd definitely see a dentist and invest in mouth wash and floss if you don't use them already.

Try corsadil or oral dene mouth washes?

Believe it or not, you are supposed to keep brushing them and concentrate on that area. Hubby is a dentist and says bleeding is a sign of gum disease.

Pregnancy shouldn't impact your gums or dental health.

Gums bleeding in pregnancy is very well known. Mine have on and off all the way through. My dentist is not concerned and said that my mouth was in very good shape.

I stand corrected! Hubby says it can make you more susceptible to gum disease (which causes the bleeding through a build up of plaque) as your hormones change, but all you can do is brush and floss unless it really hurts.

Be careful of mouth washes and get an alcohol free one.

Thanks guys.