Bleeding Gums

[Naboo]

Hi. I have suffered with bleeding gums throughout my entire pregnancy. I know that this is a common problem with pregnant women. But about a month ago, it started to get worse. Sometimes my gums bleed when I'm not even brushing them, and they seem to bleed alot. I went to the dentist and got them professionally cleaned and checked out when I was about 5 months pregnant and at the time he said everything was ok. Now at 40 weeks pregnant I'm unsure what to do. Has anyone else had this problem?

[onemummmy]

I was told vitamin c deficiency can cause this in pregnancy

[logiesmummy]

I had the same thing when i was preg with ds!
It stoped a couple od weeks after bubs was born! Good luck and if it still happens i would metioned itto your doc!

[halloweenmum]

I have the same problem, mine have gotten worse since about 5 months into my pregnancy. Mine are at the point now where I wake up in the morning and they have bled through the night and there is blood in the back of my throat and all over my teeth, its so gross.
Here is what I read about it: "it is caused by higher progesterone levels, which make your gums react more to the bacteria in plaque, and by an increased blood supply to your mouth. This so-called pregnancy gingivitis affects about half of pregnant women."

at least you hve been to the dentist, thats the main thing.

[CrystalMumOfTwo]

I also have had this all through both my pregnancies, i can't even eat an apple without it having blood all over it, i will be sitting there watching TV then have the horrible taste of blood in my mouth and its always the teeth.
like halloweenmum said its really just the increased blood supply and hormones :) hope it goes soon after you have bub

[Naboo]

Phew at least I'm not the only one who's experiencing it badly. I stand there and brush individual teeth so I don't aggravate my gums! I didn't realise it could get so bad. It's a good warning not to let your teeth go anyway I guess, I'd hate for this to happen all the time!

Thanks!:D

[Eeyore]

I stand there and brush individual teeth so I don't aggravate my gums!
I work with a gum specialist and we see this all the time. Please please please massage the gums and the teeth. I know its sensitive and it bleeds, but the bulk of plaque buildup is at the junction where the tooth meets the gum. Salt water mouth rinses can help too (if the dont make you gag) and flossing is important too.

There is an old saying that you lose one tooth for every baby you have. This goes back to gestational gingivitis and women were too scared to brush because of the bleeding. They ended up having really bad decay or periodontal disease. Boring as it sounds, good oral hygiene is really important during pregnancy. As the other girls mentioned, the bleeding should subside once bub is born.

[Miss_Vicki]

i find brushing my teeth twice in a row seams to get out a lot of the blood an gives me much relief

i think doin it in the morning would help to but don't have the time

bleeding gums was my first sign of been preg :D