Gum disease is an important public health problem in the United States according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.1 The Institute’s research indicates that 42.2 percent of U.S. adults 30 years and older, which translates to two in every five Americans, have periodontitis, with about 8 percent having severe periodontitis.
Periodontitis, commonly referred to as gum disease, damages soft tissue around the teeth and can destroy the bone that supports teeth, causing teeth to loosen or fall out.2 The good news is that most people’s periodontitis can be treated and improved or cured.
More good news is that just because your gums bleed, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have periodontal disease.
Several Causes of Bleeding Gums
If you have bleeding gums it is important that you see a dentist promptly. Your dentist will determine the reason for your bleeding gums and work with you to develop a plan to treat any dental issues. There are a number of reasons why your gums could be bleeding that aren’t periodontal disease.
If you just started a routine of flossing each day and you find that your gums are bleeding, it may simply take several days to several weeks for your gums to adjust and stop bleeding.
If you are on blood thinners, this can also be a reason for your gums to bleed.3 Using a toothbrush that is too hard or brushing your teeth too hard can cause gums to bleed. Switch to a soft-bristled brush and use less force when brushing and the problem of bleeding gums should resolve.
Hormone fluctuations, vitamin deficiencies, blood-clotting disorders and even stress are some other reasons why your gums may be bleeding.4
How to Treat Bleeding Gums
Part of the treatment for the majority of people with bleeding gums is for the patient to improve their oral health routine. Periodontitis can be prevented and treated by adhering to a schedule of brushing teeth at least twice per day with a soft-bristled brush and flossing each day.
Regular dental check-ups are also important. When a dental hygienist performs a cleaning, the hygienist uses special dental instruments to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth, especially in areas where your toothbrush just can’t reach. An interesting study by Brushlink found that almost half of adults in the United Kingdom consistently missed at least of a quarter of their teeth when brushing. 5
When you eat starches and sugary food, plaque, a sticky film made of bacteria, forms on your teeth. If that sticky film stays on the surfaces, between the crevasses of your teeth, or under your gum line, it can harden into tartar. Tartar can’t be removed by brushing your teeth. It can only be removed by your dental hygienist.
Tackling Tartar
Tartar and plaque that remain on your teeth for long periods cause dental health issues. Plaque can cause gingivitis, which is irritation and swelling of the gum tissue around the base of the teeth. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease but if left untreated it can lead to periodontitis. The inflammation caused by plaque and tartar can also put a strain on your immune system which can lead to other health issues.6
Don’t Ignore Bleeding Gums
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t ignore bleeding gums. If the bleeding is caused by tartar build-up regular dental cleanings and good daily oral hygiene is all that is needed to treat the issue in many cases. That’s why those routine dental check-ups are so important. Your dental professionals can spot dental health issues before they become more damaging to your teeth and harder and more costly to treat. ####
Your Oral Health Comes First with Our Commerce Area Dental Team
Make your dental health a priority starting with your gums, it will improve the overall quality of your life. Call Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp today to see how we can help optimize your dental health. Our full-service dental clinic addresses all oral health concerns including gum disease and receding gums, as well as restoring smiles with cosmetic dentistry, and the latest in dental treatments. Free Consultations.
______________________________________________
1 Periodontal Disease in Adults (Age 30 and Older)
Link: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/periodontal-disease/adults
2, 6 Periodontitis
Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473
3 Bleeding Gums
Link: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/bleeding-gums
4 Bleeding Gums
Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24908-bleeding-gums
5 Nearly Half of Adults Miss a Quarter of Their Teeth When They Brush, 11/2/2017
Link: https://www.dentistrytoday.com/nearly-half-of-adults-miss-a-quarter-of-their-teeth-when-they-brush-2/