So tonight I realized that I hadn't brushed my teeth in a day or so (I know that sounds gross but I'm sure you all understand. I only get out of bed to pee, and sometimes I forget even that.). So I brushed them right away.
But here is the weird part, all of my gums were just bleeding so badly. All along the edge of each and every single tooth.
It didn't hurt that badly like it looked like it should but I am very concerned. I have had some slight problems for years with my gums bleeding when I floss and occasionally when I brush, but NEVER this severe.
Do you know what this is being caused by? I am just so worried because I have really really bad teeth anyway and I am REALLY hoping it isn't some gross gum disease or something!!
Help!
Posted by little_olive (Member # 28063) on :
I didn't get to my teeth until 9pm tonight!
I had a lot of gum bleeding, too. I didn't even notice it was a symptom until it went away after antibiotics! Ironically, in cats, bleeding gums is one of the few symptoms the animal is suffering from a bartonella infection. And that's one of my main problems. I'm sure a lot of other things can cause this, though, but I just got off of the "cats are hazards" thread and it was on my mind.
I'd definitely bring it up with your doctor and/or LLMD; doesn't sound like something to miss, if there's something else going on!
little olive
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I agree with little olive.
I had swollen, bleeding gums in half my mouth (lots of my symptoms are one-sided) for years. I was always in trouble at the dentist, even though I brushed and flossed and everything else.
After extensive Bartonella treatment, my gums turned healthy pink. No swelling or bleeding ever since.
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
My consult with the biological dentist that did my amalgam removal was enlightening.
He had a high powered microscope that went to a computer screen. He took a swab of my mouth and then showed me what was in the swab.
I saw my first spirochetes ever.
Nasty little buggers. Always spinning. Like little, tiny drills.
These oral spirochetes are the cause of gingevitis or bleeding gums, receding gums, and most mouth disease.
Here's a movie that shows 2 mouth slides of oral spirochetes, rods and cysts. http://lymebook.com/nordquist Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
You know, this is all making sense to me. I have struggled with cavities all my life. I have had 4 roots become infected but with all of them, it wasn't like I had a huge cavity that I was ignoring! It always started out as puss pockets on the sides of my gums and that was how I knew that the root was infected. No pain like your average person would experience.
I did have 3 root canals but when it came time for the 4th one, we opted to pull that tooth and keep the wisdom tooth behind it that we were previously planning to remove.
I've long said that there is "something else" going on with my teeth. I get cavities so fast, so often. Nobody else in my family has teeth like me but I would say I have the best dental hygiene, because of my dental problems. Aggghh!!! I'm getting carried away here...I seem to ramble on so much right now!
Anyway, the Bartonella makes sense to me. I am currently not treating it but will be soon with IV zithro.
I will be sure to call my Dr. today. All night I could taste the blood like they were kind of continually slowly bleeding....who knows.
Thanks guys for your imput!!
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
quote:Originally posted by momlyme: My consult with the biological dentist that did my amalgam removal was enlightening.
He had a high powered microscope that went to a computer screen. He took a swab of my mouth and then showed me what was in the swab.
I saw my first spirochetes ever.
Nasty little buggers. Always spinning. Like little, tiny drills.
These oral spirochetes are the cause of gingevitis or bleeding gums, receding gums, and most mouth disease.
I've never seen a biological dentist but I feel it would be advantageous in my case!
I watched that video and that was alittle creepy!!...scary little buggers!! Now I'm just envisioning them in my mouth, totally destroying my gums and teeth even more...yuck!
Thank you for you input! I am going to contact my Dr. and see what I should be doing about this issue. ....another thing to add to the list of "things gone wrong". Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Try brushing with sodium or calcium ascorbate powder and baking soda. Taking vitamin C supplements is also good, but because of blood-flow issues, may not get vitamin c into the tissues of the gums themselves.
I've had bad problems with bleeding gums also, but there is family history of very poor teeth and it doesn't matter how good I am with taking care of my mouth, I always get the bleeding gums.
Something else that helps me is using toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. For some reason, I am very hypersensitive to fluoride (I get an instant fever if the dentist uses the fluoride rinses on me). I also find I have to use filtered water to brush my teeth or I have more troubles too.
And another thing - I have noticed certain foods can make the bleeding gums worse...for me, it is fresh fruits & veggies that cross-react with pollens to which I'm allergic (trees, grass, weeds)...apples are the worst for me...if I eat a raw apple, my gums start bleeding instantly and they get all swollen & such. I don't test allergic to apples, but the proteins in apples are similar enough to birch pollen (one of my worst tree allergies) that my body mis-interprets the apple protein as birch protein and goes after it with a vengance. I can't eat apples during birch pollen season for this reason.
Good luck,
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
Mouth health is important to overall health.
Posted by elizzza811 (Member # 24713) on :
My gums used to bleed like you describe, and because they were already swollen, flossing only made things much worse because the floss sliced right through them. And this was the result over time, receding gums...
Try Biotine Mouthwash. It's the first thing I've tried that seems to be helping. Apparently it dissolves bacterial biofilms without alcohol.
Also, AVOID toothpastes and products containing baking soda. For some reason that only made things worse for me. Not sure why, but it did?...
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I also had the oral spirochetes. But I still had half healthy gums, half bleeding gums.
Bart treatment made the biggest difference for me. But I'm sure Lyme treatment didn't hurt!
I think lots of bacteria cause mouth issues.
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
Thanks guys! It sounds like this is not an uncommon Lyme issue....at least I know what to blame it on!
Momlyme- I hadn't ever heard of oil pulling! Does it really work?? Looks like it would make me vomit...but you know, everything does.
Its so interesting that you guys say to avoid fluoride. I've been on prescription fluoride paste, that I brush on after I have already brushed my teeth, for years! It is the only thing that has kept my teeth from completely rotting out of my mouth!! When I was really consistent with it, I was able to go over a year I think without any cavities, that was previous and since unheard of for me!!
I will see if that seems to be affecting the situation. I hadn't noticed any connection there though.
Thanks for all the info!!
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Co Enzyme Q10 is very good for gum disease but do not take it with Mepron. What you describe IS gum disease. It is inflammation in the gums that will lead to deeper and deeper pockets below the gum line.
You need to see a dentist much more often to have your teeth cleaned - every 3-4 months instead of every six.
And you need to brush twice a day, maybe even three times. Never forget to floss. I now use a WaterPik as it is easier and does a better job. You can mix mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide into the water you clean with the Pik. This helps a lot.
Don't ignore it or you will ruin your gums and might even lose teeth. Babesia is what is responsible for my problems. I had five cavities last time I went to the dentist. Which reminds me - get xrays so the the ones between your teeth can be seen.
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
Ok, so what can I take while I am on Malarone?
And unfortunately, my dental hygiene hasn't been the best. I forget to do everything, including eating, meds, and peeing.
Can somebody explain to me how i can forget to pee?? Tell you what though, I do.
I am SO frustrated right now! What part of my body has this disease not taken over and ruined?? I dont't even know. None really. This is just one more thing to add to the list...ARGH!!!
I'm not angry exactly, just so frustrated and at my wits end.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Great Advice Nefferdun!
And to add... Waterpik now has a Sonic toothbrush which is more affordable than the Sonicare one. It works the same for 1/4th the price. If you don't like to floss at least get a 'sonic' type toothbrush. And brush your gums too.
It is a daily fight to keep the mouth 'clean' throughout these disease.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
It can be a side effect of some meds too. Just analyze the meds you're taking. It's good to do regular CBCs.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Xylitol might actually be more helpful than fluoride for preventing cavities... Xylitol is a natural sugar that prevents bacteria from sticking to surfaces (such as teeth, gums, etc.) and causing decay. There are a lot of xylitol sweetened products available now - gum, candy, etc. - that regular use of which helps fight tooth decay.
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
@Razzle- yes, my dentist has "prescribed" me to chew gum often. I haven't been doing that much lately either. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for all the ideas guys. I will have to buckle down and set alarms or appointments or something to make sure I brush enough. Also, look into a good tooth brush and/or water pik.
Thanks again!
Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :
Make sure it is xylitol-based gum. Otherwise, other gums will only encourage more bacterial growth and add layers to your periodontal biofilms!
You can also buy xylitol in bulk, maybe Whole Foods like I did last year. Heck, you can gargle with it! Xylitol helps loosen the biofilms and get rid of them. It's also found in some fruits and vegetables.
Posted by steelbone (Member # 14014) on :
My dentist had me do oil pulling with coconut oil.
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
YES! Only xylitol gum!!
...hmmm..I really can't stand *anything* coconut. Even when the oil is used to make food, I can taste it. Do you know of another kind of oil that is good to use for the gargling? Or oil pulling, whatever it is called.
Posted by steelbone (Member # 14014) on :
Sesame oil is the most popular oil used for oil pulling
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