Recurring bleeding gums...intraoral herpes?

[editrix]

Hoping someone can help here. Five years ago, I went to the dentist because my gums, in one spot, got very very sore. I was sure they were infected. When the dentist took a look at the inside of my mouth, he said it looked like a herpetic lesion. He did nothing to confirm this, and was a little wishy-washy about the herpes diagnosis. It completely freaked me out, though; I was not aware that one could get herpes INSIDE the mouth, and for me, the symptoms seemed the same as infected gums.

Since then, maybe a few times a year, that same spot in my mouth will get very sore when flossing. Digging around with the floss only makes it worse. This happened a few months back and I went back to the dentist (a different one). He said it wasn't herpes, but that it looked like a small cut from trauma (e.g., hitting my gums with the toothbrush). He also said canker sores and herpes are the same thing, so I basically have no faith in him at this point.

Last night while flossing, I noticed that same spot was a bit sore. I left it alone, but when I flossed tonight and gently hit that spot, it started bleeding a lot.

I know these symptoms probably sound vague, but for those of you who have been diagnosed with intraoral herpes, what are your symptoms like? I tend to think it is intraoral herpes, partly because the sore gums happen in the same place (between the same teeth) every so often.

Any insight is appreciated!

[WilsoInAus]

Gums are exceptionally rare for recurrent herpes outbreaks. Perhaps on initial infection, perhaps if your are seriously ill and your immune system is compromised. However for average healthy people, gum herpes lesions rarely occur in their lifetimes. The lips and nose are much more viable places for the virus to reach the surface and cause an outbreak.

[THETASH92]

OMG haha I've had the same thing since I got genital herpes about 4 months ago there hasnt been a full week where the inside of my mouth isn't aching because of my gums... Always bleeding but everytime I see someone about it they say it can't be herpes because it hasn't gone away with medication.. They make me feel crazy haha thought I was the only one. I get really swollen gums all the time now.

[thanks_robin]

If it is herpes, try putting about 4 drops of Oil Of Oregano P73 on your toothbrush while brushing & make sure you scrub your gums.

[Brad6096]

Last year I noticed I had a bunch of tiny cut-like sores on my gums on the right side of my mouth. Both upper and lower guns. I thought they had to do with canker sores and what not but they looked a tad bit different..

I went to my dentist and she looked in my mouth no longer than a minute and said it looked like intraoral herpetic lesions. I said I've gotten cold sores all my life about twice a year but NEVER inside my mouth.. She said it happens and it's very rare. Gave me valtrex, and they cleared up in about a week or so. Just like normal cold sores. That's just my personal story on the herpetic gums topic