Flossing & Bleeding gums...Help!

[mrtallguy]

Earlier this year I was experiencing bleeding gums when I would floss between my teeth....I was dabbling with my wicked step monster Tina and I was told that crystal meth can cause that.....so it has been a few months since I have used (attending a recovery support group) and the bleeding gums stopped until a couple weeks ago and now I avoid flossing since it creates quite the bloody mess.  Next stop will be the dentist but as we all know....doctors (at times) seem to be the last to know how to deal with some of these issues....is it the HIV or a related complication? any ideas?  should I try out for "Jason" in the next sequel of  Friday the 13th? 

[Miss Philicia]

Does it just bleed when you actually floss or for a good period time afterwards?  My gums have always tended to bleed when I floss but it stops quickly.  I also use biotene mouthwash which is good for you gums.  I've always had it recommended since my diagnosis of HIV to go to the dentist at a minimum every 6 months.  I think I went even more often when my cd4's were quite low over a decade ago.

And yes, meth is really bad on your gums from what I've read.

[blondbeauty]

I had that problem as a complication of HIV just after infection. You should use a tooth paste and a mouthwash containing "clorhexidine diguclonate" for no more than two weeks or your theet can become brown. Then yo can switch to a thootpaste containing "triclosan" as Colgate Total. This will help but will not bring a lasting solution.
The best thing you can do is buying a waterpik and start using it at the softer position. It will sting as if you were using needles in your gums and the bleeding will worsen but in one week you will be able to use it in the strongest position. At the same time I recommend you to take an antibiotic called "acetilespiramicine" 500mg for one month. It is the only way I got rid of that problem.
If your gums keep on bleeding the infection can reach the bone and you may end up loosing your teeth.

[J.R.E.]

  Next stop will be the dentist but as we all know....doctors (at times) seem to be the last to know how to deal with some of these issues....is it the HIV or a related complication? any ideas?  should I try out for "Jason" in the next sequel of  Friday the 13th? 

Get yourself to a dentist, for a full oral check-up :

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html


Meth Mouth :

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/methmouth.asp



Ray