When Should I Be Concerned with Bleeding Gums
If your gums sometimes bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you’re not alone; the majority of adults in the US have experienced bleeding gums for one reason or another. If your gums bleed with any regularity, this should be a cause for concern. If you see blood when you brush your teeth for a week, or for a few days a week over the course of a month – any kind of regularity – call your dentist and schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning. Bleeding gums can have a few different causes, and some are more problematic than others. Brushing or flossing too aggressively can cause the gums to bleed, and using the wrong tools for cleaning the teeth and gums can also irritate the gums and cause them to bleed. The other common cause for bleeding gums is gum disease. A dentist can diagnose your condition and discuss treatment options with you.
Many people don’t realize that they’re supposed to brush their teeth gently, in a soft, circular motion, holding their toothbrush loosely enough to prevent excessive pressure from damaging the gums. It might seem like vigorous brushing is more effective at removing plaque and debris from the teeth, but fragile gum tissue is sensitive and excessive friction can irritate the tissue and cause it to bleed. Dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to decrease damage to the gums and also the enamel, and dentists and dental hygienists can discuss effective hygiene tools and teach patients proper brushing techniques during regular checkups. Flossing incorrectly can also damage the gums and cause them to bleed.
Brushing incorrectly can damage the gums in the shorter term, but ineffective oral hygiene is also the most common cause of gum disease, the leading cause of bleeding gums and a significant contributor to tooth loss in US adults. Gum disease is most commonly caused by a proliferation of bacterial plaque on the surfaces of the teeth, both at and below the gum line, which is removed by brushing and flossing and periodic professional cleanings. Gum disease can be reversed when it is treated early, but when it is allowed to progress, gum disease affects the health of the jaw bone and leads to loss of the teeth, and it can also worsen heart disease, improperly treated diabetes, and lung infections. While gum disease in its earlier stages may not have any symptoms, when it is symptomatic, one of the more common symptoms is bleeding gums. Gum disease affects most people at some point in their lives, and, because of its mild and unobtrusive symptoms, it is often undetected and ignored. The main symptoms of gum disease in its early stages, which is called gingivitis, are bad breath and bleeding gums.
The best way to diagnose gum disease is at a regular dental checkup, and the best way to prevent gum disease is with proper oral hygiene habits including regular professional cleanings. When treated early, gingivitis can be reversed and the gum tissue can be restored to health. When allowed to progress, however, gingivitis develops into periodontitis and infects not only the gum tissue but the bones that support the teeth, leading to additional infection, abscess, and eventually the loss of the teeth.