Inflamed Gums

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   inflamed gums?
   i have inflamed gums over my upper canine’s. they are so swollen and painful that now there is a white spot in the center of each inflamed gum that REALLY hurts when you touch it. what can i do to get rid of them?

   • ANSWER:
     you could have the begging stages of gingivitis, would could lead to periodontics which is “gum disease”. i think you should def. start flossing and brushing everyday! and go see your dentist, because those white spots could be filled with puss, etc. and you need to get that drained.

     but please floss, thats the main reason why this could be happening.

     good luck

2. QUESTION:
   Inflamed gums ?
   I have braces, and I’ll admit with some embarassment, that I have been pretty lazy and not flossing my teeth like my orthodontist has been telling me. Now my gums, I’ve noticed are a little inflamed.

   My question is, if I start flossing now, will the inflammation go down?

   How long will it take for it to go down?

   How often do I have to floss?

   Thanks a bunches.
   ♥

   • ANSWER:
     If the cause of your inflamed gum is loose dental plaque only, flossing should help. But if the plaque is hardened, flossing cannot relieve the swollen gums, You have to go see your dentist and have them cleaned.

     The healing process usually takes 5-7 days depending on the severity of the inflammation.

     Normally, you can floss at least once a day. In your case, since you’re wearing braces, you have to floss every after meal.

     For the person who answered first, the reason why his gums didn’t get inflammed while wearing braces even without flossing, is that there are people who are prone to plaque formation and calcular deposits faster than other people. There are factors to be considered in the formation of plaque and calculus, such as the consistency of the saliva, the amount of salivary flow, the general health of the patient, the habits, etc.

3. QUESTION:
   How long does it take for inflamed gums to heal?
   I went to the dentist today and found out I had a little chip of a baby tooth stuck between my gums and tooth, so they had to numb it and take it out.
   But now there’s a little gap between my gums and tooth where the chip had been, and the gums are all inflamed.
   I feel weird eating and brushing my teeth know there’s a gap… : ( how long will it take to heal?

   • ANSWER:
     Inflamed gums typically settle down after 1-3 days depending on the severity. Floss and brush gently on the area while it’s inflamed.

4. QUESTION:
   How to reduce swelling of inflamed gums?
   I have braces, and I keep good care of my teeth. However, I was in the hospital and could not take care of my teeth for a while. This caused my gums to become inflamed and are down very close to my braces. I’ve been trying to use saltwater, along with brushing, but I have an orthodontist appointment on Monday. They’re taking my braces off and I don’t want my gums to interfere because they’re so close to the wires. Is there any quick solution that speeds the process?

   • ANSWER:
     Brandon,

     I am a dental student and I can tell you that gum swelling is usually due to inflammation caused by gingivitis. Gingivitis forms from plaque accumulation which may be the case since you have braces. Also, gingivitis is caused by bacteria and this means that your immune system is responsible for fighting off the bacteria. Being in the hospital could certainly mean that your immune system may have been stressed.

     Using a salt-water rinse is maybe not the best choice. A listerine or type of mouth wash would probably be best to help protect your gums. The gums should not interfere with the removal of the braces and your orthodontist will be able to better assess your situation on Monday.

     Hope you’re feeling better.

5. QUESTION:
   How can you get inflamed gums to wear down?
   I have inflamed gums and braces Can someone help me?

   • ANSWER:
     You have to do the work. If you are not brushing properly and using a floss threader and flossing EVERYDAY then your gums will not heal. Braces are even worse on teeth and gums as they get everything caught in them. The bacteria and food debris just sits there on those brackets and wires, which in turn your body wants to fight off, hence you get swollen sore gums. I know that trying to floss with a full-set of braces is a pain. It is even for me when I have to floss one of my ortho patients, and I am a hygienist. I can’t imagine having to do this at home. But you can do it. You just have to make the time. An electric toothbrush is a great thing for people with braces, it does not have to be an expensive one, the pulsar by oral-b is a great one and it costs about six dollars at walmart. You have to take even better care of your mouth then the average person does when you have braces. The only way to get all of the nasties out of your mouth is to brush, then floss, making sure to go under your wires by using super floss or a floss threader, taking care to wrap each side of the tooth like a “C” shape to clean each side of the tooth and under the gum-line, and then following by a vigorous swish with mouthwash or salt water. The salt water is a great way to help heal the gums up and make them less sore. Yes it tastes nasty, but it is a tried and true method. Just try to remember that you will not have to wear braces forever, and once they are off you will have a great smile, as long as you do the work now.

6. QUESTION:
   How long for inflamed gums to heal?
   I just my braces off and now my gums are sore and inflamed really bad. The dentist told me to floss and brush as often as possible. And i also got some anti bacterial rises too.
   The inflammation is very un even because my teeth were really crooked meaning gum wasn’t spread evenly but i will get that grafted later on.

   How long should it take for my gums to go down and stop being so red, and also, little bits of my gums are coming away from the tooth, will this heal too?

   • ANSWER:
     If you have inflamed gums, it’s time to try one of a number of home remedies. A mild case of inflamed gums, also known as gingivitis, can often be remedied without an expensive and unpleasant visit to the dentist. Of course, more serious cases should be treated by a medical professional.

     Identification
     1. Inflamed gums are red and swollen. They often bleed when you brush and floss. This condition is also called gingivitis, and it is the first sign of gum disease. Gum disease is the primary reason that adults lose their teeth.
     History
     2. Conventional wisdom blames plaque as the source of gingivitis. Though plaque might be a contributor, the inflammation found in the gums is often an indicator of system-wide inflammation, according to newer research. Treating this inflammation holistically might be more beneficial than focusing solely on one instance of the swelling.
     Types
     3. Omega-3 oils make a big difference in gum health because they reduce inflammation throughout your body. By taking a flaxseed or fish oil supplement, you are likely to see a drastic improvement in the condition of your gums in a matter of two to three weeks. You can also target the gums by swishing with an even mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water, coating and then brushing your gums with a paste made of baking soda and water and massaging your gums with your thumb and index finger. Eating raw fruits and vegetables also makes a significant difference in your gum health.
     Benefits
     4. Any home remedy saves you money and time that you would have spent in the office of your health care professional. Home remedies also allow you the opportunity to discover for yourself a number of gentle, natural healing alternatives to conventional medicine. All of the remedies listed here are available at the grocery store, and some only cost pennies per use.
     Warning
     5. If you have tried the home remedies listed above for three to four weeks, while maintaining good brushing and flossing habits, and your gums are still inflamed and bleeding, go to your dentist. At this point, you have done everything within your power and you need medical help.

7. QUESTION:
   MY 17 yr old daughter has inflamed gums, is that young to be suffering from it?
   Can it be cured? Her gums are bleeding, shes had the plaque removed from the dentist. She brushes her teeth well so not sure why shes got it. Can there be any connection, i have inflamed lungs, my daughter has inflamed gums and my husband has wegners granumatalos – vasculitis.

   • ANSWER:
     I’m not saying that this is her case but my gums got terribly inflamed in my early pregnancy. At my 3rd dr. appointment I had a terrible problem that was actually so bad that I could not eat. I was diagnosed with having acidosis. I could not eat or drink anything that had acid. Orange juice, tomatoes, soft drinks, etc.etc. I later was diagnosed with gestational diabetes which explains my having acidosis. But your daughter just may have sensitive gums. I would recommend buying her a water pik and starting out on a low setting. Also, I used biotene mouthwash when I was pregnant and it helped so much with the swelling and pain. Its over the counter and I felt almost instant relief whenever I used it. My symptoms seemed to decline after I started using it also but did not totally go away until after my son was born.. Also, it could be an allergy to toothpaste. I found that I cannot use any flavored toothpaste especially the cinnamon kind

8. QUESTION:
   How do I get rid of my inflamed gums & I wear braces?
   Okay, so I have braces & I want normal looking teeth so please help to get rid of my inflamed gums. Please help, thnx.

   • ANSWER:
     well u can go to the doctors dat’s what i did and it helped thnks for askin!!!!

9. QUESTION:
   I have inflamed gums, should I wait until Monday when the dentists opens?
   It’s the right side of my mouth, not causing too much of an annoyance. Should I ring an out of hours telephone service or wait and book an appointment on Monday? I’ve heard that inflamed gums is the first symptom of gum disease. What should I do?

   • ANSWER:
     Nobody ever died suddenly from inflamed gums, you will be fine until monday. Of course, if you find yourself in IMMENSE pain then get looked after.

10. QUESTION:
    Is there any good ways other than flossing to reduce inflamed gums?
    My gums are really inflamed, but flossing doesn’t seem to work very well. Is there anything I can do to aid in de-inflaming my gums?

    • ANSWER:
      swollen and painful gums are warning signs that you are under attack gum disease. be wary that signs of gum disease often appears in the advanced state. the best course of action is to seek the help of a dentist. be able to keep and pay attention to a good program of oral habits. if gum disease is left without any treatment, tooth loss will eventually happen. water can keep bad bacteria at bay, so better keep the mouth hydrated by drinking adequate amount of water. visit http://www.oramd.co.uk for more gum care tips.

11. QUESTION:
    what to do about pain from abcessed tooth and inflamed gums?
    I know my tooth is probably abscessed but I have no insurance and no money and I am in terrible pain from severely inflamed and swollen gums surrounding the teeth. What can I do?

    • ANSWER:

12. QUESTION:
    How can I get rid of pain due to inflamed gums?
    When I eat, talk or swallow or just move my tongue around in my mouth, the gums on the left side of my mouth towards the back are VERY IRRITATED and painful. I have tried Aleve (aspirin) and Ibuprofen. I even gently brush my teeth and I gently run the toothbrush over the inflamed gums. I want to know what I can do to get rid of the pain and get the puffiness to disappear without going to the dentist. HELP!!!

    • ANSWER:
      you need to get on some sort of antibiotics…try orajel or anbesol…good luck that pain sucks

13. QUESTION:
    what is the operation called where they cut back your inflamed gums?
    i went to the dentist today, and i have braces. My gums are like really badly inflamed and they told me that my orthodontist might have to perform this operation on me that would be like numbing my gums then cutting them back. the procedure started with a g. I want to know what its called so that i can research it. anyone have anyy clue???

    • ANSWER:
      Crown Lengthening or gingivectomy

      http://www.periodayton.com/content/crown_lengthening.html

14. QUESTION:
    Still some discomfort and inflamed gums after a week post op?
    Its been a week since I got my wisdom teeth out and my gums are inflamed still. It’s only the bottom gums and these teeth were impacted. I keep the sockets clean. It’s just a dull apin so I know its not a dry socket. I’m on antibiotics and taking pain meds, is this normal?

    • ANSWER:
      Removal of impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and swelling for a week or so afterwards. Continue to take your medication as prescribed and rinse often with lukewarm salt water. Brush and floss your other teeth to keep the bacteria levels down in your mouth. If you reach 10 days post op and still have discomfort, call the dentist back for a quick check. Good luck!

15. QUESTION:
    i used the oil from crushed garlic to treat my dogs inflamed gums and bad breath it worked is it safe?
    I rescued a 5 lb pomeranian who had inflamed gums and stained teeth and horrible breath so i used the oil from fresh crushed garlic to brush his teeth it took about three days brushing once a day for his gums to loose there inflamed coloration the bad breath is gone and his teeth look much whiter was this safe to do again if the problem persists?

    • ANSWER:
      no, not really. garlic, over time, can be toxic to dogs. in small quantities it won’t hurt, but a better way to get your dog’s breath smelling fresher and clean teeth is to give it raw bones and meats to eat. for a pomeranian, chicken leg bones are helpful, and will not splinter as long as they are RAW. your dog will eat and chew the bones for the marrow, and in the process will scrape his teeth sparkling clean.
      RAW bones are safe for dogs.

      my vet and other people always comment how my dogs do not have nasty breath, and my 6 y.o. APBT has teeth like a 2 year old dog, shiny and white, because of the raw bones and meats she eats.
      raw bones are also a good addition to your dog’s diet because they help clean out their anal glands, which is much nicer than having to do it at the vet’s or groomer’s.

      also, good food really helps dog’s breath, so put your new friend on a diet of grain free dry kibble.

16. QUESTION:
    Is it possible to treat inflamed gums?
    My orthodontist said I have inflamed gums and ever since he told me this I’ve been noticing it in pictures and I feel like it makes my teeth look sloppy. Is there a way to treat this?

    • ANSWER:
      Try rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide, it deos help cure inflammed gums

      And how come your orthodentist only told you the problem of inflammed gums, I mean didnt he prescribe a treatment for it?

17. QUESTION:
    Are my inflamed gums caused by my illness?
    On Saturday morning I woke up with inflamed gums, this was also the same day I started feeling very sick. Could there be some kind of correlation between the two? I brush AT LEAST twice a day, every day and floss as well. I also haven’t started any new medications. The part that confuses me the most about this is that it just happened over night.

    Anyone know what this could be?

    • ANSWER:
      you should go to a dr soon.

18. QUESTION:
    how can i get rid of swollen and inflamed gums that take up half my teeth?
    help! my braces are coming off soon and i need normal looking teeth! theyre straight but they look discusting with the inflamed and swollen gums blocking them

    • ANSWER:

19. QUESTION:
    how do you get rid of inflamed gums?
    i have braces and its been a while since i flossed my teeth because i guess im to lazy to do it. so i decided to floss them today and now my gums in the front are inflamed and they hurt really bad. should i keep flossing my teeth? what should i do to get rid of my inflamed gums?

    • ANSWER:
      keep flossing every day…….

20. QUESTION:
    Cat having slightly inflamed gums, front-little teeth missing, is this something to worry about?
    My cat has a slightly inflamed gum in one of her front big teeth, and all of her front little teeth are missing. I also noticed she has really bad breath and licks her lips a lot. She’s about 7-8 years old, and we have another cat of similar age who has all his teeth. She eats dry food fine and doesn’t seem to be in much pain. Should we take her to the vet, is this anything serious to worry about?

    • ANSWER:

21. QUESTION:
    How can you get rid of inflamed gums?
    I recently got my braces off and my gums are swollen. What is a good way to get my teeth back to normal? (They were swollen with the braces on).

    • ANSWER:
      The most common cause of gum swelling is plaque and build up of calcular deposits (tartar) on your teeth. Visit the dentist and have your teeth scaled.

      Some people on the other hand have “over-reactive” gums. Braces cause their gums to be hyperplastic and consequently appear swollen. If this is the case, the treatment would be gingivectomy or slicing away of the hyperplastic gingiva.

      Visit your dentist so s/he can determine the cause of your swollen gums and treat it appropriately.

22. QUESTION:
    how do you get rid of cancer sores/cold sores/inflamed gums?
    i had a really bad out break of cold sores and canker sores which i normally get and treat with lysine, abbrev , nail polish remover etc…but this time my gums have became inflamed in a couple spots and i have a little blister on the bottom side of my tongue. what is this all about?

    • ANSWER:
      If you get cold sores (Herpes Simplex) or canker sores which have a number of underlaying causes, please see your doctor. My mother frequently had canker sores inside her mouth, which we now know, was an indication of her immune system being supressed. She now has CML, which is a form of Leukemia. I don’t want to scare you, but don’t ignore the symptoms and maybe you can catch any serious disease quickly.

23. QUESTION:
    making flossing easier with inflamed gums?
    How can I make flossing easier? My gums are inflamed and every time I do it manually they bleed.

    Is using tools like Waterpik an option?

    • ANSWER:

24. QUESTION:
    Is there a mouth rinse that help with inflamed gums?
    My gums are puffy, red, and some are painful. My dentist said just to keep doing what i’ve been doing (brushing, flossing,rinsing) and it would go away, but it’s been almost a month since my last appointment. Is there a mouth rinse that could help with this???

    • ANSWER:
      When u had an infection in my wisdom tooth I went to the dentist cuz my guns were swallow and sore they told me act month rinse

25. QUESTION:
    how can i get rid of my inflamed gums?
    i have braces and my gums are really badly inflamed. because if this it hurts to eat and my gums start bleeding when ever i brush them.but i dont want to get surgery. please help

    • ANSWER:

26. QUESTION:
    How long dose it take inflamed gums to go back to normal on average?
    Only one area in my mouth has actually swelled but other parts are some what redish. Please help i know this can become very serious if not delt with..

    • ANSWER:
      Of course brush your teeth a lot and use mouthwash about 5 times a day. I have had this problem on occasion. That mouthwash burn is killing the bacteria.

27. QUESTION:
    What is the process of plaque being removed from inflamed gums?
    Do you get any pain killers etc or are they not need. I just hate the feeling of a numb mouth thats all

    • ANSWER:

28. QUESTION:
    Inflamed gums, going to the dentist tomorow?
    My gum is puffy so I’m pretty sure I have inflamed gums. How will the dentist help fix it? Will they have to do surgery and cut open my gums to heal it? I’m really scared of the dentist cause of that.

    • ANSWER:
      The first visit will involve cleaning at the most.

      The need for any surgery will be determined upon how your tissue responds to the cleaning (also “deep cleaning”, if needed), and improved oral hygiene routine.

29. QUESTION:
    Why are my retainers giving me ulcers and inflamed gums?
    I’ve been wearing retainers for 2 weeks now and ever since I got them in, I’ve had ulcers in 4 areas of my mouth, it’s just around the gums of one of the back teeth and it really hurts. Why is it happening?

    It only happened after I got retainers…

    • ANSWER:
      You need to go back to your Orthodontist for retainer adjustment.

30. QUESTION:
    How do I cure sore inflamed gums?
    my gums are kinda red and puffy, and they bleed a little when i brush. My dentist said that i just need to brush better, and i have and they’re getting better, but they’re still a little bit red. How can i cure them to be pink and healthy?

    • ANSWER:
      use a decent mouth wash , make sure your bristles on your toothbrush are not that hard .
      Also when you brush you should only hold the brush with 2 fingers , which helps prevent you putting to much pressure on your gums .

      Also if you floss , cut it down a bit to once every few days .

      If you follow my advice your gums will be back to normal in no time

31. QUESTION:
    Inflamed gums on the roof of my mouth?
    The little piece of skin behind my two front teeth is inflamed and hurts. It looks sorta white-ish and the little indents on the roof of my mouth surrounding it are also imflammed and sensitive. Any idea what it could be?

    • ANSWER:
      Let it heal in a few days it may take 3 days more

32. QUESTION:
    Sore inflamed gums over removed wisdom teeth?
    I got my wisdom teeth removed about a month ago and all healed well. But starting last night, one side of my gums became sore and are now really swollen. They are swelling over my last molar now. I did have strep throat so I’m wondering if it was somehow related to that. But my main question if what can I do to help with the swelling? Doctor visit is soon, but its a weekend so I’ll have to wait.

    • ANSWER:
      Try using hydrogen peroxide rinses several times a day. Were you on an antibiotic for your Strep? You may consider a different antibiotic or another round. Definitely follow up with your dentist and good luck

33. QUESTION:
    I have gingivitis-(Red gums and inflamed gum in front of teeth) is there medication to treat that? What kind?
    Does peroxide help clean my mouth? Is it too strong that it will make teeth fall out?

    • ANSWER:
      Not that I’m aware of but didn’t the dentist talk to you on how to treat it or did you not go and did you diagnose yourself because that could be dangerous you might have other things brewing in your mouth.

      But anyways, you gotta make sure to brush at least 3 times a day, floss,look on youtube.com and search for vids that demonstrate how to brush and floss properly and stop eating anything with too much sugar.

      So brush floss and ask the dentist if they want you to use that special mouthwash, it’s by script only

      No peroxide won’t make your teeth fall out you have to dilute it in water and rinse then spit don’t swallow you’ll die from poision if you do

      dont brush too hard and use a soft brush

34. QUESTION:
    Anyone get irritated gums or inflamed taste buds?
    Lately I have had several instances where I will get a certain spot on my gums that gets really inflamed and irritated and then goes away after a couple weeks and then I had a couple of inflamed taste buds that went away rather quickly, but I don’t know if this is a sign that something else is going on that I should be worried about.

    • ANSWER:
      You are eating somthing that your are allergic to

35. QUESTION:
    How Do I Know If My Gums Are Not Inflamed ?
    They are not the smae color anymore. ( used to be really pink and sometimes red ). Now that i used the water pik, my gums are light pink. Are they still inflamed ?

    • ANSWER:

36. QUESTION:
    I have been told that I have periodontal disease and have loose teeth and badly inflamed gums?
    I can’t see the hygenist untll august, what can I do in the meantime help please

    • ANSWER:
      Unfortunately as you have periodontitis this is irreversible, however this does not mean you have to loose your teeth.

      When you see your hygienist they will perform a cleaning above and below your gumline and assess the severity of you disease and the way forward.

      In the meantime it is in your best interest to ensure you have tip top oral hygiene to stop the disease progressing. Brushing twice daily for at least two minutes with a small headed soft bristled toothbrush or a good quality electric toothbrush, ensuring you systematically clean the whole mouth is very important. Cleaning at the end of the day before bed is the most important clean. You should also be cleaning in between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Make sure you use a fluoridated toothpaste (the tube will tell you) and aim for one with a level of at least 1400ppm. Do not rinse your mouth after you spit out.

      Do be aware that your gums will bleed and this is not a sign that you should stop brushing/flossing, if you continue brushing through the bleeding it will subside as your gums become more healthy.

      Hopefully you can save your teeth and your hygienist will help you with this, do not panic and take this as a warning that your oral hygiene routine really is important!

      Good luck!

37. QUESTION:
    Inflamed gums for 2-3 days and good oral hygeine?
    This happens every couple months. Dentist says it’s not gingivitis and I brush and floss everyday. Any suggestions on prevention and/or treatment?

    • ANSWER:
      could be something your eating . try to see what it is . if you have braces that may be the problem

38. QUESTION:
    I have really bad inflamed gums with purple lines and get bad breath because of this. What do I do?
    My dentist told me to massage my gums everyday but it is not helping!

    • ANSWER:
      If you can find it try Spry Toothpaste. My gums stopped bleeding so easily once I started using it. My teeth were cleaner too. My regular toothpaste didn’t seem to do a thing when I was using it. The first link below helps you locate stores that sell it.

      http://www.xlear.com/locateStore.aspx

      http://www.xlear.com/

39. QUESTION:
    My gums have been bleeding and inflamed ever since I started using my Electric toothbrush?
    I used to have a horrible scent on my back molars after flossing, like halitosis plaque around the molars. I have been using the Oral-B professional care Triumph electric toothbrush for 3 weeks and now the stinky plaque around my molars has vanished, but in its place the gums around my molars are sore, bleed when I brush them and are very inflamed.
    What should I do?

    • ANSWER:
      If they are your very back teeth ie. 3rd molars, there might be a chance of infection. Wisdom teeth are very difficult to clean because of their location. You cannot brush the backside of them. Let your gums heal awhile, then start back with the elect. brush. If they still act up, you could have peritonitis. Switch to baking soda or sensodyne.

40. QUESTION:
    Do Inflamed Gums Cause Sensitivity of the Teeth?
    I have inflammed gums. So, that means when I floss, my gums bleed, and are really red. Well, i was wondering, do inflammed gums cause your teeth to be sensitive?
    Because my very back, bottom teeth constantly have sensitive pains
    Please help..

    • ANSWER:
      No they will not. The bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis. The sensitive teeth can different causes. Sounds like you need to see a dentist for some diagnosis and treatment. Good luck

41. QUESTION:
    Has anyone ever had problems with gums being inflamed where their wisdom teeth used to be?
    I had my wisdom teeth removed 7 years ago or so. Occasionally, back there where my teeth used to be gets inflamed and hurts a lot. Maybe a few times a year. I’ve never really asked my dentist about it because I forget it happens I guess. Does anyone one else have this problem?

    • ANSWER:

42. QUESTION:
    What could be causing my cats’ gums to get inflamed?
    My cat Boz is FIV positive and was struggling with sores in his mouth due to the gingivitis causing an autoimmune reaction. After many rounds of antibiotics and prednisone we decided to do the permanent solution which was to have all his teeth removed. He did wonderful even going back to eating hard food. Now recently his gum on the one side are inflamed and painful. The vet is puzzled as she finds no leftover bone or tooth fragments in the gum. Has anyone else ever had this problem? The anitbiotics and prednisone were used again but never really cleared in up for more than a few days and it was back to painful. I know that the FIV will eventually catch up to him and maybe this is a unavoidable symptom but I am just searching for something. I guess I will have my vet put him on the medication again until we can think of something else. She did say that we could do a biopsy but that will cost about 0 and I don’t have that right now though as soon as I can get it I will.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi Debbie…consider joining the Yahoo Groups for FIV cats. Someone may have experienced this with their kitty. There are 393 members here and many exchange information that is helpful for the owners and their kitties: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FIVCats/

      Here’s the group description:
      Description

      A discussion group for caretakers with cats who are living with FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This group allows caretakers to discuss various treatments of both holistic and traditional medicine and support each other in the task of caring for these special cats.
      Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infects 2.5% of cats in the US. It is transmitted by deep bites and mating behavior. It cannot be transmitted by casual contact and it is not a death sentence.

      If you have an emergency with your FIV+ cat or kitten, please contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

      Here’s another FIV Yahoo Group as well: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FIVpositivecats/

43. QUESTION:
    Is it bad that my front gums are inflamed after I got my wisdom teeth taken out?
    I got them taken out two days ago.
    I can’t close my mouth all the way.
    I can’t chew.

    my front gums are a light shade of pink and are kind of bigger than usual.

    • ANSWER:
      Thats only natural after a tooth extraction here are some tips to keep you healthy and still eat etc:
      Eat soups E: chicken broth, cream of chicken, etc. (try to find soups without little clumps of meat or veggies or stuff like that)
      Rinse mouth with salt water after every meal (I know it suks but it will help fight infection)
      drink plenty of water
      DO NOT EAT TOO HOT OR TOO COLD gotta eat stuff while its just above room temp so you dont start bleeding again or at room temp like water etc
      GL i got my baby teeth pulled about a week ago =P

44. QUESTION:
    Female Red Tabby cat with odd mouth issues, freckles, sores, inflamed gums?
    I have a female red tabby cat that is about 18 months old. She seems to have chronic inflamed gums, mostly in the back. She also seems to have developed freckles or dark spots on her lips and gums and lately what appear to be fever-blister like swelling on her lips. We’ve had her to our vet who has seen the inflamed gums. We periodicaly put her on Clind-Guard (anti-biotic) to treat her gums which helps but only temporarily. We also have her on Bayho Liquid Immo (L-Lysine) and a number of supplements (C, E and Q10). She also get fresh spinach and yogurt with her wet food every day. We do all of this to keep her immune system strong. My question is do all of these symptoms have anything in common? For example Feline herpes/Lentigo Simplex or am I dealing with multiple things. Our vet says the freckles are normal in female red tabby cats and some cats have chronic inflamed gums. We have tested her blood but he has never mentioned feline herpes. Any idea what I’m dealing with??
    Hi…we brush her teeth every night and she does get tartar control food & treats. The vet thinks it is not an issue of there being any mouth infection or need for teeth cleaning causing any of these issues.
    PS Our vet is very good. This is not a case of a poor vet more a case of trying to correlate all of these issues.
    As I said our vet feels the freckles are perfectly normal in female red tabby cats (lentigo simplex) and that the gums are potentially a chronic problem that we will have to periodically have to treat with anti-biotics and boosting her immune system. She has not been to the vet for the blister-like gums since they are very recent. Our clinic is 1st class, best in our area and one of the most knowledeable vets in the state. State of the art operating suites…really nice place, really intellegent vet. He also offer very hollistic approaches including accu-puncture…I have complete confidence in him but I do think it is valuable to seek opinions from other cat owners who may have experienced these exact issues. I’m not doubting or second guessing, just doing additional research.
    Confusing since the cat doesn’t appear to be affected in any way. She’s perfectly normal and healthy/happy otherwise. I’m not attempting to be stubborn and I do care about my kitty. I think the Get a new vet comment was out of line but get a 2nd opinion is fair. I’m trying to find another cat owner that is dealing with the same symptoms or has delat with the same symptoms more so that questioning our veterenarian care. Again getting a 2nd opinion is a fair answer just not exactly what I was looking for.

    • ANSWER:
      Get a new vet.

      First of all, your cat needs to have her teeth cleaned. Without all of that infection in her mouth, you may find that all of her problems clear up.

45. QUESTION:
    How does the dentist take care of inflamed/ receding gums? Please help I’m in pain?
    What can I do in the meantime to ease the pain until my dentist appointment?
    Julia- I have been brushing my teeth lightly and I don’t drink anything but water and milk maybe my gums are infected?

    • ANSWER:
      i have the same awful problem! your dentist can do anything about it… you have to stop brushing so aggressively and stop having acidic food and drink

      * i had that problem too! i had to get anti biotics from my GP and you can get an “anaesthetising” gel to numb the pain. you can buy it over the counter… its normally sold for toothache

      it is worth getting your iron level checked and having a full blood screen to make sure you haven’t got any nutritional deficiencies.

46. QUESTION:
    I need serious help with inflamed gums?
    My very back tooth on the right side of my bottom row is surrounded by the most painful case of inflamed gums I have ever had! And it has completely overtaken a sharp end of my braces which consequently made it worse.. I need help before I go get a bottle of scotch and a handgun to blow my freaking head off

    • ANSWER:

47. QUESTION:
    How to heal inflamed gums?
    I have braces, so flossing for me is really difficult so I don’t do it as often as I should. Over the past few months I’ve noticed my gums getting puffier. They’re starting to overlap on my teeth. I’m gonna floss on a daily basis now, but I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to help heal my gums. Also, in how long will I notice a difference?

    • ANSWER:

48. QUESTION:
    i have inflamed gums , any advice to get them back to normal ?
    i have really inflamed gums , but i have braces and my dentist says it is that and that i should brush my gums and use a special mouth wash but i have being doing it for a month know and there is no change :S
    any advice on getting them uninflamed ?

    • ANSWER:
      inflamed gums are caused by food and plaque getting trapped between the tooth and gum margin. The advice your dentist gave is (obviously) correct, but maybe you are still not being able to remove it correctly. Use a soft brush, and angle it so that you can see that the bristles are getting under the gum, where it meets the tooth. Brush left to right (rather than up and down) and then use the mouthwash. Be prepared that they will bleed…this will lessen once the inflammation has gone.

      The fact that the inflammation has started since your brace was fitted is because the brace will harbour plaque and makes it much more difficult to brush and keep your teeth clean. Make sure you have a very low sugar diet as carbohydrate increases plaque. Make sure you have a balanced diet and are not lacking in vitamins and minerals.

49. QUESTION:
    White tongue and sore inflamed gums?
    Why could be the cause of sore inflamed gums, White sore tongue and dry sore lips? I’m 21 years old, brush twice a day and floss once daily, I also have stared re-using listerine mouthwash twice a day after a short break from using it, could the listerine be the cause? Despite the fact that I havnt had these symptoms when using listerine before, although I bought the citrus one this time and usually I buy the mint.

    • ANSWER:
      Honestly, it sounds like you have thrush. You might want to call your dr. and have him take a look at it.

50. QUESTION:
    Inflamed gums on one tooth?
    On one of my teeth, my gums have inflamed. It feels odd, but it doesn’t hurt. What could this be from? Is there any home remedies? Oh, I have braces by the way, if that helps anything.
    I just got a cleaning last month. Maybe it’s because I went from brushing four times a day (what my orthodontist recommended) to two, so it may be inadequate care?
    I just got a cleaning last month. Maybe it’s because I went from brushing four times a day (what my orthodontist recommended) to two, so it may be inadequate care?

    • ANSWER:
      Given the fact that you have braces, it could just be gum overgrowth due to the braces and/or inadequate dental care (gingivitis). If you take good care of your teeth and gums, it could also just be the braces irritating your gums. If that’s the case, try some hydrogen peroxide rinse. If you’re not taking god care, I would go see a dentist for a cleaning.

      Just brushing isn’t enough. You need to floss at least 1x a day. If you’re flossing and brushing, you can try the peroxide rinse or talk to your ortho/dentist about it. Inflammation isn’t uncommon with braces even with good oral health care.