Blog Post

Why Your Gums Are Bleeding 

Gerald M • Jun 25, 2019
bleeding gums

It is certainly alarming to see blood in the sink when you spit out your toothpaste, but it may not be a major issue at all. In many cases, you don’t even need to go to the dentist to cure your bleeding gums. Let’s go over the things that commonly cause bleeding gums, what you can do to solve the problems at home and how you know that you need to go to the dentist.

Understanding Your Gums

When you look at your gums, you should see a healthy pink shade – no redness. They should make the shape of a C around the bottom of your tooth and form a small groove where they touch the tooth, almost like a collar.

Although your gums are a small part of your body, they are important. They protect the tooth and the root from bacteria. If your gums are not functioning properly, bacteria can get to the root and cause damage to the tissue there. When the tissue becomes too damaged, it can no longer hold in your teeth, and they will eventually begin to fall out.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

Generally, your gums bleed because they are irritated. Here are a few common things that might be irritating your gums.

Gum Disease – Gingivitis

Bacteria, sometimes known as plaque, will build up in the area surrounding your teeth if you don’t brush and floss properly. If you notice yellow or white marks around your gums, this is a sign that you have significant plaque buildup.

If the bacteria are allowed to grow in your gums, you will eventually suffer from gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease and you can commonly identify it by bleeding in the gums. Other symptoms might include red gums, bad breath, and sensitive gums.

At this stage, gum disease is reversible. You can visit your dentist and have them scrape away the plaque and bacteria. If you improve your oral hygiene habits, you can keep the plaque away for good and enjoy a healthy smile.

If left untreated, gingivitis can cause your gums to separate from your teeth, allowing even more bacteria in. The longer the bacteria are allowed to stay, the more severe your oral health issues are going to be.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes impact every aspect of your health when you are expecting. Unfortunately, your oral health is no exception. “Pregnancy gingivitis” is not uncommon among pregnant women. You may notice that your gums are more sensitive, causing them to bleed when you floss or brush. Have a conversation with your dentist about the best ways to take care of your teeth while you are pregnant.

Medicine

Even with the best dental hygiene habits, there are certain medications that can cause sensitive and bleeding gums. Aspirin and blood thinners keep your blood from clotting but they also put you at an increased risk for bleeding gums. In fact, with these medications, your gums may continue to bleed even after you have finished brushing.

If you are on any of these medications, you should make your dentist aware of them. They will be able to help you manage your general health with your dental health.

A New Dental Routine

If you have made a major change in your dental routine, such as flossing more frequently than you have in the past, your gums may bleed until they adjust. The good news is that these new habits will improve your oral health. Eventually, the bleeding will stop completely.

Remember that brushing with too much pressure can also cause your gums to bleed. Brush gently and make sure you have a brush with soft bristles.

When to Make a Dentist Appointment

You don’t necessarily need to see the dentist for bleeding gums. But you might.

If you improve your dental health, your gums should heal on their own.

However, if the bleeding occurs every time you brush your teeth over a long period of time, it is best to let your dentist take a look. You should also see your dentist if your gums continue to bleed for a period of time after you have finished brushing.

The following symptoms also cause to call your dentist:

·Redness or swelling of the gums

·Gums that are sensitive to hot or cold

·Gums separating from the teeth, leaving a gap

·Chronic bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth

·Loose teeth in adults

·Changes in alignment of the teeth

The sooner you make an appointment the see your dentist, the sooner they will be able to reverse the damage to your gums.

If you are looking for a Granville, OH dentist, consider using Sampson Dental Group. We are currently accepting new patients and would love to make you and your family part of ours! For more information or to request a dental appointment, please click here.

Dentist in Westerville OH
05 Dec, 2023
Moving to a new city is hard enough, but if you are moving to an entirely different state altogether, the adjustment period might feel like it will never end. You might love everything about Massachusetts, but completely reconfiguring your life can be daunting, even for things seemingly as small as finding the right dentist. You know you want someone qualified, someone who will provide comprehensive dental services, and someone who will see you as more than just a number. You are likely thinking, “Is there someone close by who has everything I want from my dentist?” Hopefully, you will have an easier time after considering the following points. Experience and Qualifications It is always smart to check out how long a dental professional has been practicing, the number of professional associations they have affiliated themselves with, and, for extra clarification, the university or college your prospect chose for their dental school. In addition to the length of time your potential dentist has been operating, it is also wise to ask how much experience they have with each aspect of dentistry and how long they’ve performed in those various areas. Patient Reviews When choosing a new dentist, especially in an area you have just moved to, it is an absolute necessity that you check online reviews and ratings to get a better understanding of how patients like you feel about the practice and what they have experienced sitting in the chair. You can find out about the level of professionalism and kindness from the staff, how cleaned up the office is, and, perhaps most importantly, whether the office’s priority is simply getting bills paid or making sure their patients receive quality dental care. Offered Services This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but you should be sure the dental professional you choose offers the kind of services you want and need—whether it is just general check-ups and cleanings, children’s dentistry, or something more complicated like restorative dentistry or Invisalign. Since dental care will be a part of our lives until the very end, building strong relationships with patients is important to us at Sampson Dental Group. You may not need a dental implant today, but the future could very well call for one, and, at the very least, the option is available for older family members. We are proud to provide the full scope of dental services for all patients—from seniors to kids to everybody in between. Logistics  We know it can be frustrating to fight traffic anywhere, especially if the dentist you are driving to is out of the way. Fortunately, Sampson Dental Group has three convenient locations in Gahanna, Granville, Powell and Westerville, and you can always make an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you. We can’t wait to meet you, so fill out or contact form and our office will be in touch with you ASAP.
Sampson Dental
05 Dec, 2023
For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Westerville OH dentist? Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .
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