Have you noticed bleeding gums lately?According to the Centers for Disease Control,
47.2%of Americans
have periodontal disease, which
stems from prolonged gum disease
.
But that doesn't mean you have to live with it. If you notice your gums bleed, it's important to understand what's causing it and take action to protect your teeth.
Doing so can prevent more serious, long-term damage.
Find out everything you need to know about bleeding gums below.
What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Understanding the cause of inflamed gums isn't always simple. There are several reasons you may experience this symptom, from your everyday dental hygiene habits to gingivitis.
How Can Dental Hygiene Habits Be the Cause?
Our gums are rather sensitive. If your dental hygiene habits irritate them, it can lead to bleeding. This includes:
● Brushing too hard
● Using a toothbrush whose bristles aren't soft enough
● Beginning a flossing routine for the first time
● Flossing for the first time in along time
● Irritation caused by dentures that don't fit
These causes are easy to fix. You can brush your teeth more gently with a soft bristle toothbrush, settle into a regular flossing routine, and get a new pair of dentures with a better fit.
But what if your dental hygiene habits or utensils aren't the cause?
What to Do If You Develop Gingivitis
Gingivitis is also one of the most common causes of bleeding gums. Gingivitis is
a form of gum disease
that occurs when plaque builds up around the gum line.
While good dental hygiene habits can help fight this issue, sometimes you need to seek additional treatment from
a dental professional
.
Ignoring it should never be an option. If left untreated or unaddressed, gingivitis can progress, causing lasting or more serious damage to your dental health.
Gingivitis vs.Periodontal Disease
Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are forms of gum disease. The difference between the two is in the severity.Gingivitis is less severe than periodontal disease. It's symptoms include:
● Gums that are swollen
● Gums that are puffy
● Receding Gums
● Gums that are dark red in color
● Halitosis, also known as "bad breath"
● Gums that are tender to touch
If you experience any of these signs, you want to make an appointment with your dentist. He or she can identify whether your gingivitis is in its early stages. If it is, you can often reverse the effects.
However, prolonged gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease. This more advanced gum disease can cause gum inflammation,infection, and even permanent damage to your dental bone structure.
This, in turn, can impact the way your teeth sit in your gums and even lead to tooth loss.
Common Risk Factors for Gum Disease
There are certain risk factors to keep in mind when it comes to gum disease. This includes (but is not limited to):
● Smoking
● Chewing tobacco
● Poor oral hygiene
● Old age
● Lack of proper dental hygiene
● Vitamin C deficiency
● Illegal drug use
● Drug abuse
● Diseases that impact your immune system, including HIV/AIDS or leukemia
● Hormone flux caused by pregnancy
● Some viral infections
● Some fungal infections
● Poorly executed dental restoration methods
Many of these risk factors are preventable.The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene and maintain a complete nutritional diet.
How Can You Treat Bleeding Gums?
If you have bleeding gums caused by a form of gum disease, there are 6 best practices you can adopt to reduce or even eliminate this issue.
1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly and Properly
Ideally, you'll want to brush your teeth every time you eat. However, most of us don't travel with a toothbrush and toothpaste handy. Aim to brush your teeth every morning when you wake up and right before you go to bed.
Use a circular brushing motion with a toothbrush that is soft enough to avoid aggravating your gums.
2. Floss Your Teeth EveryDay
Include flossing in your daily routine. We recommend you do this alongside your evening dental hygiene routine.
This will catch any lingering pieces of food that may have eluded your toothbrush. Flossing also removes plaque, which is what leads to gingivitis.
3. Use Gingivitis-Fighting Toothpaste
There are numerous types of toothpaste on the market today. Each one boasts a different ability, from fresher breath to whiter teeth. However, you want to make sure you use a toothpaste that goes beyond aesthetic maintenance.
Gingivitis-fighting toothpaste will help you protect your smile from the germs and plaque that lead to receding gum lines and gum disease.
4. Eliminate Tobacco Use
Tobacco is horrible for your oral health,whether you smoke it or chew it. The damage it does to your gums can lead to an onset of gum disease,
bone loss, and even cancer
.
The only way to avoid this risk is to eliminate tobacco use completely.
5. Adopt a Healthy Daily Lifestyle
Great nutrition, avoiding snacking, and even leading a stress-free life can all go a long way in protecting your gum health.Certain deficiencies such as vitamin C can impact your body's resilience,making it more susceptible to gum bleeding and other health-related issues.
A balanced diet will help meet the nutritional needs, but why avoid snacking? Because we often can't brush our teeth after snacks, the food particles linger.
Snacks that have unhealthy ingredients such as high amount of sugar can lead to plaque, tartar, and even tooth decay.
6. See a Dentist at Least Twice a Year
A dental cleaning goes above and beyond any dental hygiene habits you do at home. They use special tools and formulas to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup while keeping your smile clean and bright.
Scheduling a cleaning twice a year will help you stay on top of your gum health. This will also help you reduce any gum bleeding since this is often a sign of plaque or tartar buildup.
Let Us Help You Fight Gum Disease
Semi-annual cleanings can play a huge role in helping you fight gum disease. If you're experiencing bleeding gums and it's been a while since your last visit, let's talk.
You can
request an appointment
at one of our two locations online: Sparkle Dental in Mount Vernon, New York or Putnam Bright Smile Dentistry in Brewster, New York. Both offer exceptional, friendly service to help you rediscover a happy, healthy smile.
