painful gums - anyone else?

[Sara79]

Hello,
I'm 21 wks pregnant and went to the dentist a couple of weeks a go and was told that my gums are in a right state and that i have to start flossing (something that I have never really done - slapped wrist!). The gap between my teeth and gums is quite big apparently - about 4mm the dentist said. Since i saw the dentist I've been flossing every night, but it's so painful - my gums didnt hurt before this, but now my mouth hurts so much, even in the morning after flossing at night. I know that receding gums and bleeding can happen in pregnancy (i had this a bit with my first pregnancy) but I can't believe how much my gums throb with pain after flossing - does anyone have very painful gums and does this get better after pregnancy? I'm petrified of the dentist at the best of times and i am dreading further treatment.
Thanks Sara x

I would recomend you get some Corsodyl mouthwash.Its got an unsual taste but is well proven. Do not use for longer than a month. Maybe see if you can go and see the hygienist and get them to show you how to use Tepes and improve your plaque control.

Don't have painful gums but do have bleeding gums since being pregnant, I always floss but when I do it now they start to bleed, I have been using an antiseptic toothpaste though which has helped, perhaps this can help with your pain?

They will hurt for a while, as they are traumatised & not used to being treated this way. Keep flossing & brushing & be as gentle as you can be.

Tepes are good, but don't get below the gum line, which is where you need to go. Because you have pockets (indicated by the 4mm gap - which incidentally is how deep the pockets are, normally you should be hard pressed to get a 1mm gap) & they need to be cleaned out. Pockets are how the tooth is lost, the pockets become deeper, bacteria start to eat away at the bone surrounding the teeth, the teeth become lose. It is hard to undo bone loss (you are talking bone graphs) so it is very important that you persevere with this. Do not use a alcohol based mouthwash at all, this will cause more problems.

Second the Corsodyl. It will stain, but that can be removed.

Just to add, make sure you have the floss quite taught between your fingers, don't have a huge amount of slack, as this will mean you are snapping the floss into the spaces between your teeth.

You down slowly, up & down a few times. As gently as possible.

differentname....am with you on this. Only started flossing a few years ago and at first (wasn't pregnant at the time) had exactly the same problems as you - though not quite as bad.

The trick is persevering - it hurts at first but only because your gums aren't used to it. It really does the trick though - prevents gum disease etc. and keeps your teeth looking lovely and clean.

I have sensitive teeth and find that the Sensodyne Pronamel is excellent - both the toothpaste and mouthwash. Neither are really harsh but really do work for me. They are a bit more expensive but I couldn't go back to normal now!

Good luck x

Can you see a dental hygienist? Not only is this a good idea as they can get rid of any build up, but they can teach you to floss well.

Corsodyl is great - and is safe when pregnant btw. I've been trying to use it more as the nausea has meant I haven't been able to floss or even brush very well.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will definitely get some corsodyl and hope that the pain will reduce with time.
Have an appointment to see my dentist for a follow up appointment in a few weeks so will speak to them about seeing a hygienist.
Thanks again.