BLEEDING GUMS & ITS TREATMENT

What is the cause of bleeding gums:

When ever people don't practice proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth forms plaque on the teeth. 


These bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed, which results in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. 


For many people with gingivitis, this inflammation is not painful. ... gums that bleed during and after toothbrushing.



Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Plaque on your teeth and at the gumline that is not removed by brushing and flossing can infect the gums and lead to the symptoms of gingivitis. When gingivitis occurs, your gums may become swollen, tender and sometimes bleed during brushing

GUM DISEASE: 

Definition:

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. 

The three stages of gum disease — from least to most severe — are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Signs & Symptoms:

Gum disease can be painless, so it is important to be aware of any of the following symptoms:

• Swollen, red, tender or bleeding gums.
• Gums that recede or move away from the tooth.
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in mouth.
• Loose teeth.
• Visible pus surrounding the teeth and gums.
  
  

  The best gum disease treatment is prevention.

  How can you stay healthy and avoid gum disease and tooth loss?

  A. Floss your teeth BEFORE you brush them EVERY TIME you brush your teeth. Why?
  

  • Brushing only cleans 60% of your teeth. 40% of tooth surface is between your teeth where only floss most effectively cleans.
  • You will remove the particles of food between your teeth so the fluoride, tartar control, whitening, etc. in your toothpaste can reach those areas of your teeth.
  • You will have all the time while you are flossing and brushing to remove the particles of food from your mouth
  • You will be less likely to forget or get distracted and not floss if you do your flossing first.

  B. Brush your teeth, tongue and gums to remove plaque and food debris.
  C. Rinse and IF your gums are bleeding use an antimicrobial rinse such as Listerine or a herbal rinse that will kill the germs associated with gingivitis. If your gums are not bleeding after you floss and brush rinse with plain water.
  D. Have regular professional cleanings or periodontal maintenance (if you already have periodontal disease) to stay healthy or maintain the bone you currently have.
  
  
  Read more http://www.sharonalbrightdds.com/dental_facts/bleeding-gums/
  
    Causes of Bleeding Gums:
  Rarely, bleeding gums may be a symptom of other problems pertaining to your mouth or body. While bleeding gums are usually a good signal that you have gum disease, causes of bleeding gums can also result from: 
  
  - Brushing too hard
  - A vitamin deficiency
  - Taking blood thinners or other medications
  - Bleeding or clotting disorders
  - Hormonal changes during pregnancy, resulting in pregnancy gingivitis
  - Dentures that don't fit
  - Mouth sores
  - Other medical problems, including diabetes, heart disease, leukemia or scurvy
  Regardless of your situation, it's important that you don't self diagnose. 
  
  Only a dentist or medical professional can determine the causes of bleeding gums and offer the right treatment. 
  
  
  Bleeding Gums Treatment:
  The best bleeding gums treatment is to remove from your teeth the plaque bacteria that causes gum disease. 
  
  When dental plaque builds up, it turns into tartar, a hard, sticky substance that adheres to your teeth. Without regular teeth cleanings, dental tartar can become a breeding ground for even more plaque, which can creep below the gum line and lead to an infection that causes bleeding gums.
  
   So if you notice that you have bleeding gums, see a dentist as soon as you can. Seeking bleeding gums treatment at the first sign of a problem can help reverse gingivitis and help prevent periodontal disease. Other treatment options, such as scaling and root planing procedures, slow down the process of gum disease. 
  If you suffer from an advanced form of periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend ongoing bleeding gums treatment or periodontal therapy. 
  
  In some cases, dental surgery may be needed to control the bleeding. 
  
  
  
  Professional Cleaning and Treatment:
  
  Many people are diagnosed with gingivitis during a routine office visit. The condition starts out very mild, so it isn't uncommon for people to be unaware they have it prior to diagnosis. 
  The dental hygienist often notices bleeding, swelling and irritation while cleaning the teeth. During the professional cleaning, plaque and tarter are removed from under the gumline and from the surface of the teeth.
  
   The dentist will examine the positioning of your teeth, jaws and dental work, such as crowns and bridges, to determine if there is an alignment problem preventing you from brushing or flossing effectively. If so, the dentist will make suggestions for treatment or strategies to overcome this problem.
  
  Periodontal charting may be done to measure the depth of your gum tissue and the hygienist can determine if you have gum recession. This will be done again at future appointments to analyze if gum health is improving or declining.
  
  
  The hygienist will go over proper brushing and flossing procedures with you.  This gives you a fresh start for going forward with oral care at home. Make sure to attend your follow up appointments. 
    Regular exams and cleanings are important for monitoring and reversing gum disease.
  
  Caring for Your Teeth and Gums at Home:
  Bleeding gums are a sign that you need to step up your dental hygiene routine at home. 
  
  Consistent and proper brushing and flossing will go a long way in improving the health of your gums.
  
  
  Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. Many dentists suggest adding an antiseptic mouthwash to the home care routine.