gum issues

Did you have gum issues before immunosuppression or is this entirely new and unexpected? Having a slightly surpressed immune system can make existing extra-intestinal issues worse.

Before uc, my dentist usually complained that my gums always tended to bleed during cleanings. I was never the poster child for regular flossing or mouth rinse usage (like Listerine) then. Since immunomodulators it only got worse. Now, I floss daily and use mouth rinse and it's helped a lot. I'd suggest you do the same, and ask your dentist about temporarily giving you more frequent cleanings until things are back under control. Between the two, it should help a lot. It did for me.

You also can try a water pic they work well.
Old Mike

I second Old Mike's suggestion. A couple years ago my dentist said my gums were really bad and they bled a lot -- I rarely flossed or water picked. After a periodontist wanted to do gum surgery I started being very devoted to using a water pic every night and flossing every morning. Now the hygienist always comments about how healthy my gums are and I avoided the surgery! Water pic & floss -- your gums will love you!

If you cant find one locally they sell on amazon
I have this one but it looks like the price is out of control I paid 45 for my last one
it also looks like the prices are out of control I paid 45 for my last one
www.amazon.com/Waterpik-WP100W-Ultra-Dental-Flosser/dp/B00CU9VF2Q?ie=UTF8&keywords=waterpik&qid=1465327537&ref_=sr_1_25_s_it&s=beauty&sr=1-25

looks like bed bath and beyond has them for like 59 then use a 20% coupon
or ebay cheaper than amazon
old mike

Post Edited (Old Mike) : 6/7/2016 1:39:38 PM (GMT-6)

Different, you have to learn to keep your mouth open to drain all the water, and need to hit
between every tooth on both inside and outside. Takes about 2 minutes or so depending on high
high you fill the container and the pressure setting. I like it better than flossing.
My gums are in much better shape from water picking,probably did not floss enough.
If I stop for say a week, gums will bleed when I restart so I do it every day sometimes twice a day.
It really does work.
ALso use an electric toothbrush.
Old Mike

Post Edited (Old Mike) : 6/8/2016 3:04:24 AM (GMT-6)

My gums got messed up after a course of Prednisone for severe UC flare in 1990s; I had some bleeding, pockets, and a loosened premolar. I needed to have root planing by quadrant to get back in good shape; then the dentist advised me to think of flossing as a new hobby! So I brush, floss, use an interdental brush, and rinse with warm salt water generally AND get dental hygiene every 4 months. That's what it takes to keep my gums behaving ... (sigh) ... worth the effort, though. Water pics are also good for the gums, though, as Mike mentioned, kind of messy to use. / Old Hat (35 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

My gums started receding a few years ago, particularly on my bottom two front teeth. Can't remember exactly when it started, but my Crohn's would have been very active at that point and I would have been on steroids or immunesuppressants.

I never flossed because back then I didn't realise the importance of flossing. Even worse, my NHS dentist kept on fobbing me off every time I visited her and expressed concerns about my gums. Late last year my gums became inflamed yet again and for the first time started hurting a lot. Had a complete freakout about it and my parents got me an appointment with their dentist and hygienist.

The hygienist was superb. Told me exactly what was wrong (periodontal disease) and what I should be doing. She showed me how to floss and how to use those interdental brush thingies. A month later I went back to her and she was genuinely astounded at how much better my gums were.

The dentist was very good too. Unfortunately he didn't think my front bottom tooth could be saved in the long run. But in the meantime my gums haven't got any worse or my tooth any wobblier. I use an electric toothbrush (one of those circular half-price jobs from Boots), dental floss, interdental brushes (different sizes) and mouthwash every day.

I did ask the hygienist about water picks and she wasn't sold on them. Said that flossing was better and I wouldn't be able to use it to replace flossing. That said, 'cos you can't have too much of a good thing, I still might try one if they come down in price.

Ooh, the colon water pick. Just spray away all the nasties! I like it :)

I have had gum recession since before I was diagnosed with UC. I brush, floss, use the inter-dental thingies, haven't tried water pick but keep hearing good things about it for periodontal issues.

I had gum graft surgery last year. It was the worst thing I've ever experienced. Will NOT be doing that again. It hurt like crazy (says the lady who did her last colonoscopy w/o sedation and gave birth twice w/o any drugs), cost a boatload of $$$, and didn't work nearly as well as it should have (I still have bad recession in the grafted areas). Soooo frustrated! I could rant on for a long while about that experience.

But I do wonder if folks with messed up digestive systems also might have a higher incidence of messed up gums. It's all part of the digestive tract, and we all know that bacteria has *something* to do with it, too.

Oh, goodness, I couldn't do anything dental without anesthetic. My mouth for some reason is super sensitive to pain in a way the rest of me is not. When they did the gum graft surgery, I could feel them cutting (and it hurt like crazy!) - I kept telling the doctor I could feel it and she kept giving me more numbing stuff and I could still feel it. I read a study a while ago that red-headed people often require more pain meds for dental work that other people. I generally like to be the exception to a rule, but definitely not that one. I have red hair and dental work sends me through the roof.