Most people don't give a second thought to gum disease. However, while brushing your teeth, maybe you noticed a slightly pink tinge when you spat out. You also discovered some bleeding while flossing. Although minor bleeding may not seem like a severe problem, recurrent gum bleeding is a condition you should never ignore. Bleeding gums is a result of several factors, including gingivitis and pregnancy. Altering your oral care regimen can also cause gum bleeding initially.
If you do not maintain good oral care routines such as regular brushing and flossing, you give food debris a chance to bind with bacterial plaque and accumulate in your teeth grooves. The plaque is sometimes visible as a white or yellowish film on the gums. As the bacteria accumulate and grow, they cause gum irritation, leading to gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and the typical symptom is bleeding gums. Other signs of gingivitis include sensitive gums, bad breath and red gums.
If you fail to treat gingivitis, it will worsen to the point where the gums may start pulling back from the teeth, creating pockets that allow bacteria to accumulate and penetrate the teeth. As more bacteria infect the tissues, your oral health degenerates considerably into periodontitis. Fortunately, the early stage of gum disease is reversible. The dentist can clean away the plaque and bacteria deposits from your teeth. The following are ways to prevent bleeding gums:
As mentioned earlier, the most popular cause of bleeding gums is plaque accumulation on the gumline. Failure to clean the plaque immediately will allow it to harden into tartar. The best way to stop plaque in its tracks is to improve your oral care regimen.
Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily, and ensure you visit your dentist regularly, not just when there is an issue.
If your oral hygiene is optimal and you still go for your biannual dental appointments, then your oral care tools may be responsible for making your gums bleed. You may feel that a toothbrush with hard or medium bristles will clean your teeth better, but they could actually be irritating your gums and causing them to bleed. According to the American Dental Association, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth to prevent irritation.
Sometimes, it may not be the tool, it could be how you are utilizing it. If you have not flossed recently, start doing it again. You might notice some blood on your gum line, but that will stop. Remember to be gentle and try not to press the floss too hard.
If improving your oral hygiene and adopting a healthier diet did not stop the bleeding gums, then you need to book an appointment with the dentist. The dental expert will evaluate your gums and teeth to know if you are dealing with advanced gum disease. If treatment is required, you may be referred to a periodontist, who is an expert at treating gum disease.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mycaredentals.com or call My Care Dental at (512) 590-6634 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A dental implant is the gold standard in dental restorations. It can replace an entire tooth structure from the crown to the roots. This tooth replacement can enhance your oral function and health. Here are the details on how a dental implant can improve your quality of life.Research shows that oral structures work together to…
Using the right toothbrush is part of preventive dentistry. Your dental health is more secure if you have the right tool for cleaning your teeth and gums. An effective toothbrush can help you reach your dental health goals. If you want to know the basics of choosing the right toothbrush as part of preventive dentistry,…
Did your general dentist recommend root canal therapy? You may need a root canal, which is a technical dental procedure that is done to correct and restore oral health. In this article, we will take a look at what root canals are and why your dentist may have recommended one.A root canal may be necessary…
When you need dental bridges, your dentist will work with an oral surgeon to find the best solution for your problem. There are a few things that you can do in preparation for this procedure. This blog post outlines some of the steps you should take before going in for dental bridges surgery.Make a list…
A dental implant is much like a natural tooth that completes the entire dental structure.
Preventive dentistry professionals recommend replacing a toothbrush every three to four months.
Teeth that are causing crippling pain may be needing root canal therapy.
When you need dental bridges, your dentist will work with an oral surgeon to find…
Dental crowns play an essential role in restorative dentistry and are used primarily for correcting…
Sometimes the whole family needs to undergo routine dental procedures. Wondering what a family dentist…