bethben Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 (edited) My son has bleeding gums. He has gone to the dentist multiple times and basically was told to brush better and use a mouthwash (not prescription). They are still bleeding. Where should I be taking him now? New dentist? Doctor? I “googled” but that’s really too broad. Edited July 13, 2019 by bethben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 There are probably many reasons, but the first that comes to mind in my experience is when someone hasn't been brushing or flossing well, then the gum tissue seems to become more tender and bleeds more easily. Maybe there's some inflammation going on too. My gums used to bleed easily when I went to the dentist and they flossed my teeth during routine cleaning, until I started flossing thoroughly and regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Is he flossing? If not, he should floss twice a day until they stop bleeding and then he can cut back to once a day. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 (edited) If he is unwilling to floss, a pointy brush for between the teeth and along the gums makes a big difference. And a brushing timer. The brush I use is similar to this https://www.dentaldirect.co.uk/tepe-compact-single-tuft-toothbrush.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwgqbpBRAREiwAF046JSowC4dQIroQMf7GrrEsx1sCcjkbKp5n2fsUrIGy5CS5Q7JPfhfArBoCbjEQAvD_BwE I would supervise his brushing for several weeks and see if his gums recover. Edited July 13, 2019 by Laura Corin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 I’d recommend a water pick and making sure he is getting enough Vitamin C. Used correctly, a water pick will clean the gums better than brushing or flossing (although they are still important) and will massage the gums and toughen them up. I mention Vitamin C because I know someone who completely solved their issue with bleeding gums by greatly upping their intake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 One of mine was an over flosser and a heavy handed brushed causing it. If he is flossing and brushing regularly, see if he is brushing/flossing gently or aggressively. And get a water pick, so easy and makes them take their time. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Is he using an electric toothbrush? If not I'd get him one yesterday. The main cause of my bleeding gums was that no matter how hard I tried not to I was brushing too hard. Same thing with DH--I knew he brushed too hard. Just listening to him go at it made my teeth hurt. I talked him into getting an electric toothbrush--problem solved. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Where is the bleeding? Mostly top teeth in the front? If so, he may be a mouth breather. If he is drying out the tissue in the front,it can cause bleeding when brushing. Waterpiks are great for braces and other hardware, but can not reach more than a millimeter below gumline. Flossing reaches up to 3. Electric toothbrushes are great. I recommend them mostly because people tend to brush longer. Healthy gums do not bleed. Unless some major traumatic flossing or brushing occurs. Bleeding is a sign of disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Just a quick recommendation for this Reach Flosser. It's like a toothbrush. https://www.amazon.com/Reach-9655-Access-Flosser/dp/B0017TU2HE/ref=asc_df_B0017TU2HE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312075948606&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7657060554791419942&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014633&hvtargid=pla-562083099768&psc=1 It completely revolutionized my attitude toward flossing. I do it at the end of the day, while I'm reading in bed. Yes, my understanding is bleeding gums need to be flossed. We also used that blue Oral Rinse from Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Alcohol-Free-Zesty-Mint-Multi-Action-Antiseptic-Oral-Rinse-33-8-fl-oz/26441079?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=491&adid=22222222227018110655&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40843461872&wl4=pla-78657009752&wl5=9014633&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=26441079&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIttqxn9Gy4wIVSv7jBx1PuwELEAQYAyABEgLAifD_BwE Really, the motivator is that you only get one set of permanent teeth. I resisted doing all of this, but my gums are now very healthy & I averted lots of oral surgery. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 I would get him a quality electric (like a Sonicare) and maybe some different flossers to try and have him doing each of those 2X a day for 2-3 weeks before I'd consider following up again. Particularly if a dentist has already seen him. Eliminating soda and sticky candy entirely would be another good step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 We have a waterpik too and those are great. We trained everyone to bend down right over the sink while using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 (edited) He’s 18 and is flossing like the dentist told him to. I did get him a nice electric toothbrush. I will try the vitamin c and if that doesn’t work, I’ll look into different floaters or waterpick. Thanks! Edited July 14, 2019 by bethben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 I would definitely check and see then if he is a little too heavy handed with the flossing and brushing since he is flossing regularly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 23 hours ago, Pawz4me said: Is he using an electric toothbrush? If not I'd get him one yesterday. The main cause of my bleeding gums was that no matter how hard I tried not to I was brushing too hard. Same thing with DH--I knew he brushed too hard. Just listening to him go at it made my teeth hurt. I talked him into getting an electric toothbrush--problem solved. I had the opposite problem - I was brushing too hard for my teeth with the electric toothbrush. Instead, I got the Colgate Floss Tipped toothbrush and that works for me. My dentist also told me to swish with salt water for 30 seconds or so a few times a day until the inflammation decreased when I had this problem. Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 I agree with all the above advice... but also... some people just have bad gums. Dentists like to act like our teeth and gum health are entirely in our control (and most of us should be doing a better job and all that) but some people just genetically didn't hit the lottery on their gums. It's possible his are just weak. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 2 hours ago, bethben said: He’s 18 and is flossing like the dentist told him to. I did get him a nice electric toothbrush. I will try the vitamin c and if that doesn’t work, I’ll look into different floaters or waterpick. Thanks! How often and how effectively the flossing and brushing is being done is really important. Is he flossing daily? Is he brushing frequently? How about sugary drinks and foods? Does he consume soda, juice, etc frequently? Food particles that get stuck between the teeth and gums, like bits of popcorn, can inflame the gums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 If his oral hygiene is good and it hasn't been a new development with a new routine, I would have him see his PCP for a thorough checkup to be sure it isn't something like diabetes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 Vitamin K in addition to Vitamin C could he be vaping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 This is unlikely, but his diet is good, right? He's not short on vitamin C? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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