I'm worried I might have gum disease caused by epilepsy medication?

I just saw on someone else's question that they have gum disease as a result of their epilepsy medication; I'm also on epilepsy medication (valproic acid) and have been noticing that if I rub my finger hard against my gums, it comes back with blood on it. The gum area directly above/below my teeth is a healthy pale pink, but there's a distinct line between that and the areas further from my teeth, which are a very dark almost purplish-pink. I get an ache in my lower jaw sometimes too, which I have been attributing to a tooth that cracked several years ago (a result of being killed off by too-tight orthodontic bands), and now I'm concerned about a) gum disease and b) abscesses!
YES I will have to get myself to a dentist, but I'm currently travelling and would find it expensive - can anyone offer me any information on these problems?

How long since your last cleaning? Do you floss correctly everyday? Do you use a soft toothbrush and brush at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes at a 45 degree angle to the gum line? How old is your toothbrush?
These are questions you can answer that may prove why your gums bled when you rubbed them. I've had patients on the newer epilepsy med. that did not get the hyperplasia (growth) of their gums like Dilantin produced. I don't know about your medications side effects. The color of your gum as it leaves the enamel down to the area approximately where the frenum (string of tissue that holds your lip in place) is a coral or light pink. Below that it gets a darker purple pink color. If you have a redness directly below the enamel then your gums are inflammed. There are degrees of gum disease so if your medication is causing puffiness in your gums doesn't mean you are about to lose teeth. Having them cleaned, buy an electric toothbrush and floss should help counteract any side effects....if it doesn't then see if another type can be used.

HELLO,

THE ANSWER FROM NANCY S. IS CORRECT. THE MEDICATION TO TREAT EPILEPSY WILL HAVE A SIDE EFFECT WHICH CAUSES THE GUMS TO BE INFLAMED. AS A RESULT, THERE CAN BE A BUILDUP OF PLAQUE AND TARTAR AND THIS IN TURN CAN LEAD TO BONE LOSS WHICH IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE.
A PATIENT WITH EPILEPSY MUST MAINTAIN EXCELLENT HOME CARE AND HAVE REGULAR DENTAL VISITS TO PREVENT PERIODONTAL DISEASE.

If you touch your gums and they bleed then they aren't healthy, this sometimes puts people off brushing them but that is the worst thing you could do. You should make sure you brush twice daily as well as flossing and attending hygienist appointments regularly every 3 months, you should also use a mouthwash such as corsodyl, which helps gum problems,you could speak to your doctor and see if they can give you alternative medication, and all you can do now is make sure you are cleaning your gums as well as you can.