It looks frightening – becomes an unsightly mess and makes us worry.
Occasionally, however, a little bit of bleeding from your gums is normal and even expected, especially when we are vigorously brushing or flossing our teeth. It’s not necessarily something we should panic about, but if your gums bleed regularly or without you really doing anything to unsettle them, it may require further inspection here at Stanley Street Dental. After all, and without trying to alarm you, bleeding gums could be a symptom of a number of dental issues, but most commonly, a clear sign of gum disease. On the other hand, and to back away from such a direct statement, things such as injury or infections can also lead to gum bleeding, so when it comes down to it, you shouldn’t try to self-diagnose or Google it.
It’s always best to let us take a look.
Below, and for some peace of mind, we have collated some relevant information regarding the onset or continuing nature of your bleeding gums, and treatment plans in trying to rectify it. As a side note, and quite unfortunately (at least when it comes to early detection) if your bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease, many are unaware of such a condition, as there isn’t really any pain or discomfort until it becomes more severe. Obviously, if you know what to look for, or have scheduled regular check ups at Stanley Street dental, we will be able to identify any risk factors or gum disease early on in its development, and prevent it from worsening.
Again, bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum disease, and although it is easy to disregard or write off as perhaps brushing too hard, it should always be seen by a dental professional.
Sometimes, bleeding of your gums will also be accompanied by other, unsettling symptoms. Things such as painful tenderness, red and swollen gums that remain that way over a period of time, an increase in tooth sensitivity, and the onset of bad breath can all signify something amiss.
If my gums are bleeding, does it really mean I have gum disease
As discussed above, yes, it is the most common symptom, but there are other reasons as to why your gums would bleed.
They are as follows:
- Brushing or flossing too hard
- Dentures that do not fit properly or have become dislodged
- A vitamin deficiency
- Mouth sores
- Medications such as blood thinners
- Clotting and bleeding disorders
- Pregnancy gingivitis (as opposed to regular gingivitis) which can arise from hormonal changes during pregnancy
- And medical issues such as leukemia, heart conditions, diabetes, or scurvy can also cause your gum to bleed
As you can see, there are quite a few reasons outside the diagnosis of gum disease as to why your gums may bleed, so if you find yourself bleeding often, it is best to visit us here at Stanley Street Dental in order to rule out anything serious. From there, the right treatment plan will be implemented, and we will have you back to full health where your gums are in good shape and rarely bleed.
It’s time to smile again.
Gum Disease Treatment
If it is the case that you have the beginnings of gum disease, don’t stress, for our dentists know exactly what to do. The most effective form of treatment is to remove the plaque from your teeth, first and foremost, in order to prevent it from returning. Plaque, as you may be aware of, is a kind of bacteria that causes gum disease over time, by wearing your enamel and overall oral health into the ground. When dental plaque builds up, it turns into a hard and gluey substance that binds to your teeth, which not only looks unappealing and sounds awful, but is ultimately a damaging process that contributes greatly to dental complications. This is known as tartar, and tartar can lead to gum disease over time when you don’t clean your teeth properly and rid them of it. Again, you should see your dentist at the Stanley Street Dental Clinic with the first signs of any abnormal gum bleeding, and they will subsequently take care of any plaque or tartar present. It may sound dramatic, but if you act quickly and efficiently, visiting us here at Stanley Street Dental may prevent your gum disease (if that’s what it is) from developing into gingivitis or periodontal disease.
They, naturally, require further treatment.
Luckily, we can prevent those two scenarios from happening, and even if your gum disease is in an advanced stage, your dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment, such as periodontal therapy or dental surgery to maintain and control the issue.
There really is no excuse to ignore bleeding gums so come in and talk to us today.
Tips to prevent and stop bleeding gums
Like any form of preventive dental care, there are things you can do at home to ensure you are mostly free from the plight of bleeding gums, plaque build up, or even the development or tartar and infection.
Here are just a few
- Brush properly with a soft toothbrush. Brush for 2 minutes and at least twice a day, especially after heavy meals
- Floss once a day. Make sure to floss beyond your gum line to reach even more plaque in hard to reach places
- Use a cold compress to control the bleeding in the short term
- Use salt water and hydrogen peroxide to rinse the mouth in order to keep the area and surrounding tissue clean
- Be mindful that tobacco will aggravate and even worsen gum bleeding
- Limit your sugar and carbonated food and drink intake and strive to eat a balanced meal
- Have your dentures aligned when required
Visit our General Dentistry in Stanley Street Dental to find out more.