Do your gums bleed whenever you brush your teeth? Are you experiencing gum sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold foods and beverages? You may have gingivitis, or gum inflammation, a common cause of bleeding gums. At Perfect Smiles of Bensalem, we want to help patients restore gum health. We provide multiple treatments for bleeding gums in Bensalem, PA.
Bleeding gums are a common dental concern that affects many patients. The main cause of bleeding gums is gum inflammation and gum disease. Other common causes include poor diet, injuries, and even hormonal changes. If you struggle with chronic bleeding gums and need dental treatment, you can receive custom care to heal your gums.
Common Causes of Bleeding Gums
Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, occurs when harmful bacteria build up on gum tissue. If left untreated, gum inflammation can lead to gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Gum disease is a common yet highly damaging infection that can break down the gum tissue, leading to deep gum pockets, chronic gum pain, and loose teeth.
However, gingivitis isn’t the only cause of bleeding gums. You can develop bleeding gums for these reasons:
- Aggressive Brushing: If you brush your teeth and gums too hard, your gums are more likely to bleed. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not put excessive pressure on your teeth or gums with the brush bristles. Sometimes, brushing more gently can prevent gum damage and bleeding gums.
- Dental Injury: You can experience bleeding gums if you injure your gum tissue. Placing a clean cloth or gauze on your gums can help stop bleeding. However, if your gums continue to bleed, you need professional care to address your injury.
- Nutritional Deficiency: A healthy and balanced diet helps keep your body healthy. Your diet can also impact your oral health. Vitamins C, D, and K are integral to your gum health. Vitamin C can support your body’s tissues, including gum tissue, while Vitamin D fights inflammation and Vitamin K helps blood coagulate. If you are vitamin deficient, you can experience sensitive and bleeding gums.
- Hormonal Changes: Did you know gum inflammation and gum disease are common in pregnant women? An increase in progesterone during pregnancy increases blood flow to the gums, which often leads to gum sensitivity and irritation. Sensitive gum tissue may react to natural irritants, and this sensitivity is often accompanied by bleeding gums.
How to Treat Bleeding Gums in Bensalem, PA
The gums are supportive structures for teeth. Damage to the gum tissue can affect the health of your entire smile. When you notice a change in your gum health, contact the dentist. There are several treatments we can recommend if you experience bleeding gums:
At-Home Care
One of the best things you can do for your gum health is to brush and floss daily. Flossing before brushing removes leftover food and harmful bacteria from between teeth. If you encounter gingivitis, flossing once or twice a day can help lessen your chance of gum disease. Additionally, gently brushing and flossing your teeth can minimize bleeding if you usually brush too hard.
Dental Cleanings
Visiting our dental office every six months allows us to clean and examine your smile thoroughly. During a professional dental cleaning, our dental hygienists scale, brush, and floss the teeth and gums to remove bacterial buildup. They can also provide more intensive dental cleanings if you have gum disease.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Scaling and root planing are the main treatments we recommend for patients with mild gum disease symptoms, including bleeding gums. During a scaling treatment, we remove plaque and tartar from the gum surface and beneath the gum pockets. Then, we perform root planing. Root planing ensures the tooth roots stay in place and help support the gum tissue. We place antibiotics in the gum pockets after these treatments to help prevent reinfection.
Gum Disease Stages
Gum disease progresses through multiple stages when left untreated. While the beginning stage is mild and common, it can have serious consequences the longer you let it go.
Gingivitis
This is the first stage of gum disease and the only reversible one. It happens when bacteria build up on your teeth and form plaque, a sticky film. Poor oral hygiene allows plaque to build up more, turning into a hard substance called tartar that’s hard to remove on your own. The bacteria irritate the gumline, causing the gums to swell, redden, and bleed more easily.
To reverse this, you need to practice oral healthcare more diligently. This includes brushing your teeth and flossing at least twice daily. We may recommend or prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse to assist in eliminating bacteria. You may also need to come into our office to get cleanings more often until the condition is under control.
Mild Periodontitis
Once it progresses to this stage, you can’t reverse it. The bacteria and inflammation start to impact your bone structure. Your gums begin to recede, and pockets form between the gums and bone. They collect food debris and bacteria, making getting rid of infected material difficult. You may notice more bleeding when you’re brushing and flossing.
While it can’t be treated at this stage, we can manage it with professional care using scaling and root planing. It’s a deep cleaning procedure that cleans out the gum pockets and removes tartar. Then, we smooth down the tooth roots so the gum tissue can reattach to the bone.
Moderate Periodontitis
The infection penetrates deeper at this stage, further impacting the bone structure and connective tissue. More bone loss occurs, and your gum pockets deepen. You may notice that your teeth are becoming loose, and you may experience discomfort or sensitivity when you bite or chew. Scaling and root planing are also used at this stage, with more intensive deep cleaning.
Severe Periodontitis
This is the final stage, where bacteria severely impact the mouth structure. Your gums recede severely, and you are in a lot of pain. Your teeth loosen and may even fall out, making it hard to chew or speak. Pus and blood can get between the teeth and gums. Surgical intervention or laser periodontal treatment are the only things that can manage the condition when it gets this bad. This stage can also cause systemic issues throughout your entire body.
Bleeding Gums FAQs
Do you want to know more about bleeding gums? Read answers to these commonly asked questions:
Should I visit an emergency dentist if I have bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums are not an emergency if you brush or floss and experience minor bleeding. However, if the bleeding does not stop, they are a dental emergency. We recommend visiting the dentist if you experience excessive bleeding. A dentist can help stop the bleeding and find the cause. If an emergency dentist is not available, contact a hospital.
Are there risk factors for bleeding gums?
You may be more at risk of developing bleeding gums due to these factors:
- Poor nutrition
- Diabetes
- Genetics
- Medications
- Pregnancy hormones
- Poor oral health
When should I be concerned about bleeding gums?
If bleeding gums are a chronic problem, it’s time to visit the dentist. Additionally, you should contact a dentist if you experience bleeding gums from a dental injury, and the bleeding will not stop.
What problems do bleeding gums cause?
If you experience chronic bleeding gums, you can also experience:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Swollen and irritated gums
- Bite changes
- Teeth grinding
How long will it take to heal bleeding gums if I floss again?
It can take one to two weeks before you notice that you can brush and floss without bleeding gums. One of the best treatments for gingivitis is to improve your oral hygiene. Gently floss before you brush your teeth at least once a day. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled brush. You will notice an improvement if you have a consistent oral hygiene routine.
Will a salt water rinse help my bleeding gums?
Yes. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help reduce swelling and inflammation accompanying bleeding gums. Warm salt water can remove food debris and act as a disinfectant. However, salt water rinses will not eliminate or heal bleeding gums.
Reverse Bleeding Gums
Treat bleeding gums in Bensalem, PA. Call Perfect Smiles of Bensalem for gum disease treatment at 215-770-1081. Schedule a dental appointment online. We’re here to help you improve and maintain your tooth and gum health.