Do you ever notice that your gums bleed easily when you brush and floss? Soreness and bleeding could mean gingivitis or even the early stages of periodontal disease. Understanding what causes this to happen means you can take steps to keep your gums healthy! In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists talk about what bleeding gums mean, and how to make them stop!
The Warning Signs of Inflammation
Your gums could bleed, feel sore, or appear red as a result of inflammation, also known as gingivitis. This develops due to poor oral hygiene, which enables plaque to form on the teeth and irritate the gingival tissues. Other causes could include smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products, certain medications, inflammatory illnesses, or infrequent or improper brushing and flossing habits. Lack of dental cleanings to remove plaque could be a factor as well. Without treatment, this could lead to periodontal disease. While gingivitis can be reversed, periodontal disease cannot, and care is needed to prevent complications like tooth loss!
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
To reverse gingivitis or begin managing periodontal disease, we may suggest a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this procedure involves using an ultrasonic scaling device to remove all plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of the teeth and the roots. The process could take one visit, or up to four, depending on how severe the buildup actually is. Afterward, we polish the teeth and recommend a traditional cleaning every three to four months. This helps prevent worsening disease and issues like tooth loss from occurring.
Preventive Actions
To help avoid the disease, or manage it from home, you can take a few simple steps. First, avoid tobacco products and take time to brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and again before bed. Try to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride too. You should floss up and down each side of every tooth each evening. This removes what a toothbrush cannot reach. You should also try to cut back on sugary and starchy foods and drinks, which feed harmful oral bacteria. Every six months (or possibly three to four if your smile is at risk) you should see us for an exam and cleaning. The exam lets us watch your smile for signs of trouble, the cleaning completely removes all plaque plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth.
Do You Have Questions About Gum Health?
We know that keeping your gingival tissues healthy helps keep your smile whole. To learn more about preventing or treating periodontal disease, then schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brookline, Newton, and all surrounding communities.
