Why Do My Gums Bleed?
This week’s blog is about gum disease, and what you can do to prevent it.
Gum disease is a problem which affects the majority of the population at some point in their lives, and the problem tends to get worse as you age. Some studies suggest over 75% of those aged 65 and over are affected by gum disease.
The early signs of gum disease can include bleeding gums, especially when you brush your teeth, bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth.
Gum disease is caused by plaque which is the white sticky substance which forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque irritate the gums and they then become red and swollen as they try to protect themselves from the bacteria. This is what causes the bleeding and sometimes tenderness when brushing. It can be made worse by a number of factors, including smoking, poor toothbrushing, and diabetes.
If caught at an early stage, as dentists we call this “Gingivitis”, which means the gums are inflamed. This is the best stage to treat things as there can often be no lasting damage to the teeth and supporting bone. If left for longer periods however, what happens is the inflammation then starts to affect the bone which supports the teeth, and this eventually leads to teeth becoming loose and having to be extracted. When the gum disease affects the bone as well as the gums themselves, it is then classified as “Periodontal Disease.”
The good news is that gum disease is something which can normally be kept under control by regular visits to the dentist to keep on top of things, and a routine gum check is included in all examinations I carry out on my patients.
The first step is to eliminate any risk factors, which includes stopping smoking and control of any systemic medical conditions such as diabetes. We would then work together to ensure you are removing as much plaque as you can at home, and this includes toothbrushing and general oral hygiene advice. I work together with my patients using things like plaque disclosing tablets, interdental brushes and floss to get a regime that works for them and allows them to keep their teeth and gums as clean as possible. As a general rule, you should be brushing with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes in the morning and at night, but when we are dealing with gum disease this can often be a lot longer.
We would then move on to the next step which is a professional cleaning of all surfaces of the teeth and gums, and cleaning below the gumline to areas you wouldn’t be able to reach at home. This gives an excellent starting point which my patients can then keep on top of on a daily basis.
With gum disease, it’s essential to continually monitor to ensure we have everything under control, and with my patients we continually check for plaque and bleeding on an ongoing basis to ensure your gums are as healthy as possible.
Bleeding gums can often be an early sign of gum disease but can also be a sign of something more systemic, and that’s why regular trips to the dentist are essential. If you are concerned about the health of your teeth or gums, don’t hesitate to give us a phone and book an appointment today.
Jonathan is a Dentist at Millersneuk Dental Practice in Lenzie. He has a keen interest in cosmetic dentistry and works together with patients to achieve the results they want. Jonathan has proved popular among his patients since joining the practice, please read some of his reviews on Facebook and on the practice website to find out more.
To book an appointment with Jonathan, please phone 0141 777 7511