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Bleeding Gums - What are they and what do they mean?
It is not typical for brushing to cause bleeding gums. Even so, a lot of Canadians get bleeding when they brush, but they may brush it off as not being serious or needing urgent care. Usually, this is a bad idea. It's best to address bleeding or inflamed gums as soon as possible, whether or not they are currently in pain.
Understanding Causation - How could I end up with bleeding gums?
While occasionally bleeding gums can be caused by wearing dentures that are too tight or brushing your teeth too hard, more persistent gum bleeding may be an indication of more serious conditions or dental care problems, such as gum disease.
Gingivitis & Periodontitis - What are they and what do they have to do with bleeding gums?
Plaque can amass on the gum line and harden into tartar more quickly when you don't brush and floss properly. Your gums may become swollen, painful, and eventually bleed if you have gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. More severe diseases can develop from gingivitis.
The second, more serious stage of gum disease is periodontitis, which is an infection of the tissues and bones that connect your teeth and gums and can eventually cause bone and tooth loss. Oftentimes progression to this point can lead to certain teeth having to be removed as a part of treatment.
Bleeding While Brushing - What should I do next if my gums bleed during brushing?
Though you should visit your dentist at the first sign of bleeding gums so your periodontal health can be evaluated, you can take some measures at home to prevent and treat bleeding gums. These steps are numerous, and this article is not comprehensive, but adopting the following steps can greatly minimize potential hares. These steps include including:
- Brush after each meal and before bed with a soft toothbrush and gentle fluoride toothpaste. You may experience increased bleeding at first, but extra attention to oral hygiene can help the bleeding gums heal more efficiently in the longer run.
- Floss a minimum of once per day. Be sure to keep your floss somewhere highly visible, to help increase your likelihood of remembering to floss and protect your dental hygiene.
- Consider an electric toothbrush to help you clean your mouth more easily. Many electric toothbrushes have sensors to help communicate when you've done enough brushing, which is yet another reason using them 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.
- Bring any changes, soreness, or sensitivity to your dentist's attention every six months. In order to maintain good oral health, nothing is more effective than routine professional examinations. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth in addition to performing a cleaning to ensure that no oral diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are currently present.
Your dentist is a critical ally in the daily battle against gum disease and other oral health issues, like a load-bearing pillar holding up a temple called "improving your oral hygiene". So, regular professional cleanings are important. He or she can also provide tips on proper oral hygiene, brushing, and flossing techniques to reach the more challenging spots in your mouth.
Depending on the cause of your bleeding gums, your dentist may take new dental impressions to ensure you have correctly fitting dentures or prescribe a vigorous dental care routine that can put you back on track to good gum health.