When gums are healthy and strong, they don’t bleed. If you have noticed blood on your toothbrush or bleeding when you floss, your gum health may need some attention.
Why Do Gums Start to Bleed?
There are several reasons gums can begin bleeding, including:
Early Signs of Gum Disease
Early gum disease, called gingivitis in Oshawa can lead to gum bleeding. It is due to plaque and tartar buildup, as these substances contain harmful bacteria that cause gum disease.
These bacteria produce toxins that infect and inflame your gums. In addition to bleeding, you may notice that your gums look increasingly red and swollen, and have begun to recede.
Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a much more serious condition that can destroy the bone and periodontal ligaments that hold your teeth in place. It can cause tooth loss and put your overall health at risk.
Hormonal Changes
During puberty, pregnancy and menopause, hormonal levels change. These changes increase the sensitivity of your gums to the bacteria in plaque and tartar. Consequently, your gums are more likely to bleed at these times.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Failing to brush and floss properly can allow plaque to build up on your teeth. It only takes a couple of days for plaque to harden into tartar or calculus. At this point, it’s too late to remove it with brushing and flossing; it must be removed professionally during a hygiene appointment at Margolian Dentistry.
Poor Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Some people think that scrubbing their teeth hard and choosing a hard-bristle toothbrush is the best way to get them clean. However, this approach can damage your gums, literally wearing them away. It can also damage your tooth enamel.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Having certain vitamin deficiencies can make it harder for your gums to remain strong and healthy. These include a deficiency in vitamin C and vitamin K.
How We Can Help
If you have noticed your gums bleeding, we recommend booking a dental checkup in Whitby. When you visit Margolian Dentistry, we can carefully assess your gum health.
A gum evaluation includes using a small probe, called a periodontal probe, which is gently inserted between each tooth and the gum. The probe provides an accurate measurement of the depth of the space between the gum and the tooth and is a good indicator of your gum health in Ajax.
Deeper pockets or spaces can indicate gum inflammation and infection. If you are a regular patient, we take these measurements at every dental exam and hygiene appointment and can quickly compare them to check for any changes in your oral health.
At the same time, we review your dental and medical history to determine whether any issues may increase your risk of bleeding gums.
Treating Bleeding Gums
One of the easiest ways to treat bleeding gums is to have your teeth cleaned professionally by our hygiene team. Getting rid of plaque and tartar buildup and the bacteria that cause gum inflammation and infection.
After cleaning, we can discuss any areas of concern where you need to spend more time brushing and flossing. We can also review your oral hygiene technique, which can be extremely useful.
When you brush your teeth, you don’t need to use too much pressure to clean them thoroughly. You should also use a soft-bristle toothbrush. This approach, combined with the proper brushing and flossing techniques, should ensure you remove the maximum amount of plaque without harming your teeth and gums.
If your gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, we may recommend specialized care from a periodontist locally.
