bleeding gums

[cazz22]

hi has anyone got a problem with bleeding gums? tried all sorts of toothpaste and mouthwash.dentist refuses to believe its linked to pbc tho she cant find anything wrong with my teeth.also can anyone recommend a good vitamin supplement please.thinking im needing a nutitional support since i cut out fat from diet and trying to eat less.

[Lily-May]

Hi Cazz22,

I started having really bad bleeding gums late last year and went to the dentist about it and she says I have gum disease, they don't know why it happens but my gums are receding badly and I have to have deep pocket cleaning every 3 months, also had to have two teeth out as they were so wobbly and kept getting absesses under them. Found out about the PBC in Feb, but hadn't linked the two. Maybe it is to do with the PBC as I've never had any problems with my teeth/gums before always been healthy but this came out of the blue and advanced very quickly, just like the PBC?!! My dentist now gives me toothpaste on prescription that is very high in flouride because of the dry mouth.

I have started to take cod liver oil capsules and vitamin C with rosehip, mainly to help with painful joints and to try to ward off colds etc if I can. Don't know if it helps or not, haven't been on them long.

I hope you get your gum problem sorted, don't leave it to take hold and get to the next stage as it's costly and unpleasant.

[JennyM]

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis ANUG for short! get dentist or Doctor and get antibiotics as soon as poss, also special mouth wash, Common with people with PBC its auto immune, and if not treated quickly you can lose gums for good, will get worse without treatment, I had to go too emergency call center, Metronidazole is brill for this, unfortunately i has allergic reaction so trying all sort to help me, can be sooooo painful, all due to weak immune system, can't be transfered to others, Horrible but wish you luck go and get antibiotics, made immediate difference became allergic on day 3, so frustrating,

[Rosehip19]

Although none of the medical professionals I see have mentioned mouth problems, my own dentist is convinced that there is a link. She thinks at the very least the constant dry mouth many of us PBC bods suffer from must have had a detrimental effect. I now have the same dental regime now as Lily-May of 3-month hygienist visits, and by meticulous cleaning at home I have maintained the status quo for many years now.

Keep cleaning folks, and try to keep the saliva going!

[Beanie]

Dear cazz22,

I've also had bleeding gums for the past 8 years, and they are starting to recede. Despite meticulous brushing, flossing and mouthwash, they still get worse. Even eating soft food such as bananas can make them bleed. The dentist is convinced that i don't floss properly, and keeps trying to sell me expensive flossing brushes, but I'm sure it's nothing to do with it. My teeth are in perfect condition, and I've never had any fillings. I'm sure the bleeding is connected to PBC.

I've been taking Vitamin D and Calcium for the past 6 months. x

[wendyh]

i too had gingivitis for years and no amount of anti-biotics and cleaning worked for me on a permanent basis, lost 2 teeth, was diagnosed with PBC at about the same time as loosing the teeth, started on taking the urso and after 2 years my gums are now ok, they will never be perfect as they receeded a lot but they are a lot better.

[gizocsi]

gums are very sensitive and in the same time can cause further problems. Bleeding gums though can have sg with vitamin k, what most of us lack.

[Hidden]

Beanie, I know the brushes are more, but they are better than just floss...... I have been convinced over recent years after seeing a periodontist, my gums did not bleed but were not right, she as helped enormously although at a high price. If I can maintain the results with the brushes they are worth it, honestly.

Good luck

[Hidden]

I also have a problem with my gums ( bottom front) at the moment they are very sore, but didn't put it down to PBC, the dentist said the gums are receeding but I put it down to no longer being able to get the toothpast I have always been happy with and that was the pink sensodyne, that used to sooth my gums as I have always had that problem you get drinking or eating very cold stuff. at the moment I am using oraldine mouthwah to try and make them better. Will be seeing the dentist in August so will ask about PBC being the cause.

[Hidden]

I only have problem with a couple of teeth that bleed very minutely on brushing but is nothing of significance. I do not have gingivitis and visit the dentist at intervals. Since last yr., the dentist has said to me that I only need to go in at 9 monthly check-ups unless any problems meanwhile.

Best thing I can say is to buy a soft toothbrush as you will find that is much better and when cleaning teeth if possible use the hot tap with warm water as that seems to make the brush that bit softer.

I do not use the chemical loaded toothpastes myself, but a natural one as I find these better.

My dentist has noted to me a couple years ago that I do have gums that are starting to recede but he stated that is probably natural and due to ageing now as gums do start to do this as we get older. He knows I have PBC as I told him when I was under investigation due to abnormal LFTs in 2010 and I informed him I was diagnosed and what I was on (just urso) afterwards so he does know.

I do not floss my teeth as I do think that can cause havoc. Eating certain foods like crunching a carrot for eg can actually help clean the teeth as can eating a bit of cheese as that deals with mouth acidic plus of course adds calcium to our system.

I personally do not think it is PBC the cause but again it can be part of that knock-on effect of maybe certain Vits, D in particular that is needed to absorb calcium for bones and teeth health. I know if one was to have a tooth knocked out and immediately popped it in milk and then went straight to a dentist, that tooth may be saved so perhaps odd tots of milk are also a good further preventative?

[cazz22]

thanks as always for your answers.not heard of these'expensive' flossing brushes.can you only get them from dentist.i always have a prob with flossing as my teeth are really tight together.im fastideous at brushing.sometimes too much.dentist tells me off for that so have been trying peridots ideas of carrot/ cheese etc.gums and teeth just felt ' different ' over last few weeks.

[Ginger_11 in reply to cazz22]

I note that you have trouble with floss. I myself have an Oral B electric toothbrush with a small round head that gets in between the teeth. I also have a head for in between teeth separately, as this gets right to the line between the teeth and gums. If anyone is having difficulty with flossing, I would highly recommend using a toothbrush head like this. I am pretty sure that other manufacturers produce these types of brush heads.

[cazz22 in reply to Ginger_11]

Oh that's interesting Ginger thanks .which one of the oral b brushes is it if u don't mind me asking?my dentist now getting pretty pleased with me but recommended an electric brush.all but stopped bleeding but mostly down to an occasional salt water mouth rinse I believe

[JennerLayne]

I often wonder if this issue is due to aging or the overall health of my body, but am convinced there is a link. At 49 and recently diagnosed, I began experiencing tooth/gum aches and some bleeding last year, but have gone all my life totally cavity free --- not one single filling or dental issue!. My gums had begun to recede, my teeth became very achy and sensitive and on my last visit to the dentist, I had developed several cavities. I had made no changes in toothpaste or oral care, and had amped up my calcium intake due to age. I didn't think twice about it until I was visiting the Gastroenterologist earlier this year and the questionnaire asked if I had experienced any recent changes in dentition (e.g. cavities, receding / bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity or aches).

As I've read through PBC research, I've seen numerous notations about 'informing your doctor and/or dentist that you have PBC prior to treatment' and have wondered what the link is to having your dentist know about a liver condition. Now, it seems to make sense.

[NobleWisdon]

I have been thinking that PBC and dental health are linked. I think it is due to the inability of our bodies ability to break down the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E &K as well as the dry mouth. I have had tons of dental work over the last few years, root canals, receding gums, hygienist thinking I am not doing my cleaning properly but I have a really good regimen. Dental health is part of good overall health so I think that the PBC is proving things are not well on the inside of the body.

I just wish that the dentists and doctors would get it together and start studying the link because there is a link I can see it from all of us having similar dental issues.

[uitlander]

regular treatment by dental hygienist has really helped and only is miss the cleaning sessions does the bleeding gums re-occur. Just wish the dental hygienist fees were partly covered by NHS but it's not It is certainly worth the money for the comfort.

[Pat_H]

I have no problems with bleeding gums, probably because for years I've gone regularly (every three months) to my Hygienist as I've always made lots of plaque.

However, I told my dentist one day that I take Co-enzyme Q10 and he said research has shown that this is good for gums. I took it originally (years ago, long before PBC) because I felt tired, but everything I've read since gives the impression that it's good for everything!

This is only anecdotal, but I don't know whether you might want to try it to see if it helps your gums?

Pat_H

[busylady]

Hi,

I had bleeding gums and was led to believe by my Consultant that your liver is involved in manufacturing/developing some of the factors that affect blood clotting. And as your liver becomes more damaged you can therefore bleed more easily because these factors are not manufactured as effieciently. I know before my transplant I was having nose bleeds, my gums bled and I bruised so easily. if I cut my skin it took ages to stop bleeding

Interestingly post transplant this has all stopped completely. Proves the theory??

I also suspect you are asked to tell dentists so they are prepared maybe for the "extra" bleeding that may occur because of inhibited clotting etc.

Angie x

[Shirleygreen]

Yes me too! receding gums no matter what I do to prevent it. They are also meggar sensitive although I see the hygienist every three months and have been for a very expensive appointment and treatment at this person above the hygienist where they clean out the pockets uck! I think I am going to try the Q10. Is that okay for the liver, I already take other supplements as it is?

[sydney]

I have had beeding gums since being put on questran powders, I have been in a terrible state, went to see the consultant and told him its one of the side effects to the powders, he knew nothing about this. I stopped taking the powder on friday and the itch has been severe, no sleep at all, what do I do take the powder and loose my teeth, or scratch myself to death!!!!! I hate this condition its ruining my life.

[terri2109]

Hi I was at Professor Jones clinic yesterday and was told to get Enzyme Q10 for the tiredness, I got home and read up on it and its also for cardiovascular, periodontal, parkinsons and a number of other things, ive also had bleeding gums for a couple of years, I don't know why this wasn't given on prescription because ive read it can be but get some and give it a try, in fact you all should I certainly am even if I cant afford it. Good luck all. xxx

[NinaC]

CoQ10 is great for gums try that and for those of you who have trouble flossing please try a waterpik it will help with bleeding, research has shown that waterpik alone is 3.7 times more efficient than flossing i am a hygienist at a periodontal office and i see great results. I second the Oral B powerbrush with the Power tip for inbetween the teeth if you have bone loss otherwise it will be hard to use between teeth. Many of you mention receding gums however that has nothing to do with bleeding gums, the bleeding is a sign of inflammation and gum disease while receding can be due to many factors such as grinding, malocclusion, hard brushing, genetics and so on. If you have bleeding gums best thing to do is get a periodontal consult wich charting and a diagnosis then have your teeth cleaned every 3 months. Also for those interested there is a rinse called CTx4 made by Carifree that helps with bleeding tremendously.