If your gums are bleeding, you may have a dental health issue, and lots of these issues can be fairly severe and need to be addressed immediately. Today, our Timmins dentists share the reasons why your gums may be bleeding and what you should do.
Bleeding Gums & What They Mean
Gums don't normally bleed as a result of brushing your teeth but, lots of Canadians experience bleeding gums when they brush their teeth and dismiss it as something that isn't important and doesn't need to be addressed immediately. Most of the time this is a mistake. When you have inflamed or bleeding gums it's best to have them attended to as quickly as possible, whether they hurt or not.
Why Your Gums Bleed When Brushing Your Teeth
While occasionally bleeding gums can be the result of wearing dentures that fit too tightly or brushing your teeth too aggressively, more frequent gum bleeding can also be a sign of more serious conditions or dental care issues, such as gum disease.
What are Gingivitis & Periodontists and How do They Relate to Bleeding Gums?
When you don’t brush and floss correctly, plaque builds up on the gum line and can harden into tartar at an accelerated rate. Gingivitis - the first stage of gum disease - can make your gums sore and puffy and eventually bleed. Gingivitis can progress into more serious diseases.
Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease and it is more serious than the first. This is an infection of the bones and tissues that connect your teeth and gums, and could eventually result in bone and tooth loss.
What to do If Your Gums Bleed When You Brush Your Teeth
While it's best to visit the dentists when you first notice your gums bleeding to have your periodontal health assessed, there are measures you can implement at home that can prevent and help your bleeding gums. These steps are numerous, and while the list we have shared below is not comprehensive, taking the following steps could significantly minimize your potential hares.
- Brush after every meal and before bed with gentle fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Your gums may bleed a bit more in the beginning but the extra attention you will be giving to your oral hygiene will help your gums heal more efficiently in the long term.
- Consider using an electric toothbrush, which can help make it easier to clean your mouth. Lots of electric toothbrushes have sensors to help communicate when you've done enough brushing, which is another reason why using one often correlates with having fewer dental health problems.
- Rinse thoroughly with an anti-gingivitis, alcohol-free mouthwash. You can pick up a mouthwash that fits this description at your local pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist if you're unsure what you're looking for.
- Floss at least once a day. Remember to keep your floss in a highly visible location to help remind you to floss and protect your dental hygiene.
- See your dentist every 6 months and let them know of any changes, soreness, or sensitivity. Nothing is more effective than regular checkups with a professional when it comes to ensuring good oral health. Your dentist will not only provide a cleaning but also fully investigate to make sure your mouth is not currently afflicted by any manner of oral diseases - including gingivitis and periodontitis.
Your dentist is an important ally when it comes to fighting gum disease and other oral health problems, like a load-bearing pillar supporting a temple called "improving your oral hygiene". Therefore, regular professional cleanings are important. Your dentist can also give tips on proper oral hygiene, brushing, and flossing techniques to reach the more challenging spots in your mouth.
Depending on the reason why your gums are bleeding, your dentist might take new dental impressions to make sure your dentures fit correctly or prescribe a vigorous dental care routine that can put you back on the track to good gum health.