Gum abcess bleeding like mad, help!

[eternamariposa]

(x-posted from I'm Pregnant)

So I have this crazy looking bubble, probably an abcess, in my gums behind one of my teeth that is getting a little intense these days. I don't have any pain or sensitivity to the site, no fevers, but being pregnant the bleeding is INSANE. Basically, I have that particular tooth bonded and the dentist said that (even pre-pregnancy) my gums are rejecting the foreign material and I will need to have the work re-done because it wasn't done properly. I waited since I found out I was preggo thinking everything would be fine.

With my first pregnancy it did swell and would bleed a little with flossing, nothing major. But now it is the size of the tooth it is behind and bleeds so much that I actually have a flow of blood filing my mouth every time. At first it was just while brushing, then I had to be careful with really crunchy foods, and in the last couple of days it has actually started to bleed of its own accord. I don't know what to make of this. I am 35 weeks so I know I have a ton of extra blood exaserbating the bleeding. I bought some natural dentist brand mouthwash that is full of aloe, goldenseal, echinecea, xylitol, and other good things to keep everything healthy. But at what point is this not ok? When should I be seeing my dentist? Are there risks I am not thinking of here?

[enfpintj]

Well, I would see the dentist. The abscess means that it is infected. It's probably not just blood, but blood and pus. The infection keeps growing and if left alone can cause bone loss and probably other issues. You may have to have a root canal. I believe that the abscess is usually on the root. You can google for lots of info about abscesses. Some will scare you. Someone mentioned Oral Assist (homeopathic) on post of mine that helped them get through the abscess until they got it treated.

I had a root canal 3 years ago that went bad or was not done properly in the first place. In june i started getting headaches in my temple. In August I got an abscess, but didn't connect it to my headaches because I'm used to headaches and thought my migraines were back. I finally made it to the dentist for my regular cleaning end of Oct. just as the pain was moving down the trigeminal nerve into my cheek. The tooth never hurt. I had the tooth retreated early nov. and had to go back for more treatmentseveral weeks later. I may end up at a specialist before this is over. I was on an antiobitic for 5 weeks. I just went yesterday and got a homeopathic med instead of getting the next anti b. filled. Not to scare you with all of this and they will do things differently b/c you are pregnant, but it is serious and you do need to go to the dentist.

[Koalamom]

I would make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin C and D3. Stay away from food allergens. And try packing pascalite clay around the area. I think that the Vit C is a big need here. I am not telling you what to do, but I would usually try home remedies first, but I wouldn't mess around if things don't improve soon. A little gum bleeding is one thing, but a ton sounds bad.

[eternamariposa]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I would make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin C and D3. Stay away from food allergens. And try packing pascalite clay around the area. I think that the Vit C is a big need here. I am not telling you what to do, but I would usually try home remedies first, but I wouldn't mess around if things don't improve soon. A little gum bleeding is one thing, but a ton sounds bad.

I agree with you. I am trying a natural mouthwash full of immune boosters, taking probiotics, probably going to start emergen-c soon in addition to the orange juice I drink in the morning, and rinsing with salt water after meals to try to keep the area as clean as possible, but it sort of feels like I am running out of time to rely on homeopathic solutions alone. Any ideas of how to tell if this is just inflammation due to the rejection of the composite material/ excess blood in pregnancy or an actual infection? My indicators were fevers, pain to the site, and/or puss.

[Koalamom]

A packet of emergen-c has only 1000mg of vit C, and OJ for me personally makes things worse since it is an allergen. Those alone or together are not enough Vit C now. You would need many packets of emergen-c to get enough. I would consider supplementing.

I bet that a little bleeding could be from pregnancy, but alot could be something else going on. If it is an infection, make sure your liver is strong, and dandelion is usually safe during pregnancy for that, or even nettles. And the clay topically will draw out infection, and even taken internally will help too. Have you talked to your Midwife or OB about it?

[eternamariposa]

update

I actually went to the dentist yesterday and he said that it is not an infection or an abscess, woo hoo! He said that it is a fibroma that is growing this way first as a means to reject the composite filling, but now that I am in late pregnancy the hormones have made it go a little haywire. He recommends that I get it surgically removed since it will likely continue to grow and we don't want it to become infected or compromise my ability to clean the tooth it nearly covers, but he says he doesn't think I need antibiotics and removing it should be a minor procedure, safe for pregnancy. Thanks for all of the replies!

My only question now is should I do it during pregnancy or should I wait a couple more weeks until the baby is born? I am not sure which scenario opens me up to a greater possibility of infection/complication, leaving it or cutting it off. Either way he encouraged me to continue to do the things I have been doing to keep it clean and my consult with the oral surgeon will be tuesday.