Bleeding gums are typically a sign of a larger problem. It is most patients’ first sign of gingivitis, or mild gum disease. If your gums bleed, you should not ignore the problem. If you have the beginning stages of gum disease, you must seek treatment from a dentist. Dr. Elizabeth Duling is a caring dentist who treats bleeding gums in Owens Cross Roads, AL. Bleeding gums are one of the dental concerns Dr. Duling treats at her Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, office.
What Causes Bleeding Gums
The leading cause of bleeding gums is plaque buildup on the teeth along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. It is filled with germs, bacteria, and acid. If you fail to remove it daily from your teeth, it begins to harm your teeth and gums. Plaque will irritate your gums and lead to inflammation. This causes them to bleed, most likely when you brush or floss. Furthermore, if you leave gum disease untreated, it can eventually cause serious harm to your oral health.
There are other reasons your gums could be bleeding. Pregnancy or hormone changes and taking certain kinds of medications can lead to these side effects. If you are experiencing this, do not stop caring for your teeth and gums. Continue to brush and floss as normal, but take caution. Ask your dentist for advice if your gums begin to bleed excessively.
Additionally, certain lifestyle habits can cause your gums to bleed. This includes flossing and brushing too hard or with a toothbrush that is not soft enough, wearing dentures that do not fit, and using tobacco in any form. Avoiding these things can keep your gums healthy and protect them from bleeding.
Treatment for Bleeding Gums in Owens Cross Roads, AL
Treating bleeding gums early is essential so they don’t progress to more serious issues. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the condition.
Anti-Bacterial Rinse
If your bleeding gums were caught early, you may only need a good tooth cleaning and an anti-bacterial rinse. Your dentist will suggest improving your oral hygiene routine and give you a schedule to follow. Adding the rinse into your routine will help keep your oral bacteria in check.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you have a more progressed form of gum disease, you may need deep teeth cleaning. This type of cleaning is called scaling and root planing. Essentially, the dentist will use special tools to remove all the plaque from your teeth, especially below the gums. Then, they will smooth out the tooth roots to encourage the gums to reattach the teeth.
Advanced Gum Procedures
If you suffer from the advanced stage of gum disease, your dentist will need to refer you to a periodontist. This local specialist must perform more intensive procedures to help you regain your oral health.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease progresses through various stages. It’s essential to know the signs of each one, as getting treatment earlier can help prevent more serious issues in the future.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the only reversible one. This is the stage where the most prominent symptom is bleeding gums. Harmful bacteria build up in the mouth when you’re not properly caring for your oral hygiene. They form plaque and tartar at the gumline, irritating the gum tissue and causing inflammation. Your gums begin to get red and swollen due to the irritation. Symptoms of gingivitis aren’t usually painful, so they can easily be missed.
To treat gingivitis, we perform a more advanced oral healthcare protocol. You’ll need to visit the office more often for checkups and cleanings. It’s essential that you’re brushing and flossing regularly at home, too. We may provide you with an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help diminish the bacteria in your mouth. These measures can fully reverse the condition.
Mild Periodontal Disease
At this stage, gum disease is no longer reversible, but we can manage it. The bacteria become more aggressive and start to attack your jawbone. Slowly, the bacteria will eat away at the jawbone and cause bone loss. We manage this stage with methods called scaling and root planing. Pockets form between the gum tissue and jawbone, where bacteria and food debris accumulate. We clean out these pockets and smooth down the tooth roots so the gum tissue can reattach to your jawbone.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
Here, the bacteria continue to get more aggressive and probe farther into your body. In addition to attacking gum tissue and jawbone, they enter your bloodstream. This can cause inflammation and infection throughout other parts of your body. As with mild gum disease, we use scaling and root planing to manage the condition.
Severe Periodontal Disease
This is the most advanced gum disease stage, and it has many impacts. Your gums start to ooze pus and blood, you have severe bad breath that can’t be managed, and it can hurt to eat and speak. Bacteria continue to erode the foundation of your teeth, so they can become loose or fall out. Only gum surgery or laser gum therapy can manage the condition at this stage. We can refer you to a trusted local peridontist for your care.
Bleeding gums are not normal and should be addressed as soon as possible. Dr. Elizabeth Duling is a general dentist who offers many treatments for gums that bleed. To schedule your regular checkup or an appointment for her to address your bleeding gums, call our office today at 256.202.4186. You can also request an appointment online by filling out this appointment request form.