HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Bleeding and painful gums

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/8/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure if this is Uc related or not.  But I went to Florida for vacation - thought I was starting to flare but it must've been a blip or IBS because I am better now.  When I was in Florida though my gums started bleeding and they made my teeth just hurt. I was flossing once daily (sometimes not at all - yeah bad me) so then I started flossing regularly.  It seemed to work but now my gums are bleeding again and I have to floss twice a day to keep the pain and bleeding down.  I am not sure what is going on since I've never had this issue.  I have a dental cleaning appt in a few weeks so I am going to bring it up then.  Is there anything else I can do to help with the bleeding and sore gums?  Oh and my teeth on the left side are getting super sensitive to the cold - which I don't see how that can be since all those teeth have had root canals (so I'm thinking it's the gums that are causing this feeling).  Any advice?
Posted 7/8/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Do you chew gum? Sometimes chewing gum gives me more sensitive teeth and when I lay off of it Im fine. Also, try a mouthwash or toothpaste for sensitive teeth. I also massage my gums when they get that way...but flossing is good too! :-) Take care, and hope the mouth feels better. Glad what you thought was an oncoming flare was just a blip!
Posted 7/9/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have very sensitive gums and they bleed easily since I am on 6MP. Almost daily I can strip off some skin of my gums and inside the cheeks. Yeah i know, gross. I use Sensodyne and am very careful with the flossing and only use soft toothbrushes and be careful of how much pressure I put on the brush. Strangely the mouthwashes that burn a lot do better work for me than the ones without alcohol.

I checked with my dentist and she also noticed that my gums bleed easily when I get my cleaning/checkup.

So for me, 6MP and gum sensitivity/gum bleeding goes hand in hand and my GI already "warned" me that this could happen when I was in the process of deciding if I should take it or not.

Just an idea.

Posted 7/9/2009 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I had same gum problem beofre. My GI doctor suggest that I could try leave probiotic in my mouth for a while. I take VSL#3DS. It seems working fine with me. I do not have gum problem any longer.
Posted 7/9/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
My dentist would advise you to (1) floss after every meal or use a waterpik, (2) use an interdental brush in addition to soft toothbrush to get out all the food "debris", (3) try the Sensodyne toothpaste for sensitivity to cold. I have additionally helped myself by rinsing with warm salt water or Colgate Peroxyl after brushing & flossing. As one gets into middle age the gums tend to become more of a problem than the teeth. You might need 3 dental hygiene treatments annually instead of the usual 2 for that reason. For me it made a huge improvement in the condition of my gums, but I have to stay on top of it day-to-day; otherwise the problem starts up again. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 7/9/2009 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Bleeding gums usually mean gingivitis. Do try to see your dentist soon to help get it under control. I don't think you smoke, do you? Smoking is a huge cause of gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Posted 7/9/2009 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
hey, i have the exact same problem. Mine started just as the flare i am in started. The doc says no correlation, but i don't believe it. They get red and irritated and bleed right around the teeth. I had a dental cleaning soon after this began and they said i had no gingivitis. So, i know it is bacterial some how. They gave me a prescription antibacterial mouth wash, and it seems to clear it up prett;y quickly when it starts. My teeth are also sensitive to cold....sounds exactly like me.
Posted 7/9/2009 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
So Sensodyne toothpaste can help take the sensitivity out of the gums as well as the teeth? Because mind you, I am having tooth pain in teeth that don't have nerves - so I am thinking it's just the gums. Yesterday I have also added Listerine to help - this is a good thing yes?

When I had my teeth cleaned 6 months ago, they did the pocket measure for my gums. I did have a couple of 4's and 5's and since then I have been *sort of* more vigilent in keeping my gums healthier. They started feeling pretty good after I increased my dental hygeine regimine. Until now....

Thanks for the suggestions! :)
Posted 7/9/2009 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have the same thing Sherry. My mouth is feel of crowns so I too don't have any nerves, but from what the hygenist told me, it's more the gum areas and the nerves around it. Sensodyne should help that too, plus extra flossing, mouthwash, and I go to the hygenist every 4 months. Listerine should work well too. ;-)
Posted 7/9/2009 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I use Listerine myself - maybe it is psychological that the burning mouthwashes make me think that my mouth is cleaner. Did anyone also hear that Crest mouthwash makes your teeth yellow over the time? It was in the media a while ago and they admitted that Crest would do that. Okay, that is off topic.

Bleeding gums doesn't mean in any case that you have gingivitis. I don't have gingivitis. My pockets are 1 or 2 and I go to dental cleaning three times a year to keep that in check. And I don't smoke anymore (since 2 years). There is a correlation between medication and bleeding/sensitive gums.

Posted 7/9/2009 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Now I know why I hate Listerine! Dang does that stuff burn! But I am going to stick with it to see if it helps.

I just hate this because everytime I eat, my teeth (or gums) just ache something fierce. I can't even chew on the left side or all those teeth just hurt. I may have to make an appt to see my dentist before I get into the hygeinist (sp?) because I am not sure how much longer I can handle this. Mouth pain is the worst! I honestly don't know which is worse, mouth pain or Uc pain! :(
Posted 7/10/2009 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Sherry, if it turns out that the gums around the teeth are bleeding and/or very sensitive, the hygienist can do a flouride (?) treatment. I had it done several time. It is like applying a paste on the sore gums and let it sit there for a while (meaning you cannot eat or drink up to an hour after the treatment). It takes the sensitivity right away and one treatment lasts for me for three months. It isn't that expensive, although I can't tell you the costs, because I don't have a dental bill at hand. It works great for me.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

Posted 7/10/2009 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
There is no correlation to your gum issues Sherry and your UC, many without and IBD have gum issues...with crohn's however, because it can affect your entire GI tract which includes the mouth there is a correlation.

For women with swollen/sensitive and other gum issues there is a link with your menstral cycle though, do you happen to notice more issues during/around that time of month with your gum issues?

:)
Posted 7/10/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Peroxyl mouthwash WHITENS teeth when used over time. It's also good for calming cheekbite irritation. Biotene is a non-burning mouthwash that Tooth Fairy inspired me to try a while back & I'm glad I did. I prefer either of these to Listerine. They seem more therapeutic. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 7/10/2009 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
I may have to try some of the Biotene. :)

Pb, I have no clue when my cycle is anymore since I've had the ablation. I do still get some of the PMS symptoms (just not the period) and right now, I am not having any of that.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply