When to See Your Dentist About Bleeding Gums

If you’ve noticed a little blood occasionally as you brush your teeth, your first reaction is probably to ignore it and just get on with your day. Then it happens again, and you ignore it again.

The problem with this approach is that it only leads to more problems. The primary cause of bleeding gums is a buildup of plaque. As the buildup gets larger, it leads to gingivitis or gum inflammation. Without treatment, plaque hardens into tartar, causing even more bleeding and leading to an advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis, which puts your oral and physical health at risk.

To put it mildly, you don’t want this to happen, and the team at 2K Dental is here to help. They’ll treat you based on their knowledge of your oral and medical history using the most advanced dental procedures available.

Why good periodontal health is important

You probably don’t think about healthy gums and jawbones much, but they play a vital role in optimal oral health. We describe the condition of your gums and the bones supporting your teeth with the term periodontal health.

If your teeth didn’t have the strong foundation provided by healthy gums and a strong jaw, they would have nowhere to anchor themselves. Unfortunately, gum disease can seriously compromise this foundation, leading to problems for your teeth as well.

There are several risk factors for gum disease, a common condition that leads to many complications, including tooth loss. However, the most common cause that you can actually do something about is poor oral hygiene.

A warning sign

Slight gum bleeding while brushing and flossing might seem like no big deal. However, gingivitis — the precursor to full-blown periodontal disease — begins with inflammation in the gum tissue around the base of your teeth, which can cause bleeding.

The blood is a warning sign to allow you to catch gum disease in its earliest stages, so the 2K Dental team can treat it in less invasive ways, like scaling and root planing. Scaling removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gums, while root planing smooths the tooth root, allowing your gums to reattach and essentially giving them a fresh start.

If you don’t get treatment, gingivitis will progress to more severe stages, known as periodontitis. This serious infection causes bacteria-filled pockets between your teeth and gums, as well as soft tissue damage that can endanger your jawbone, making tooth loss possible.

Your overall health is at risk too

Gum disease is a problem for more than just your mouth; it also affects your immune system and overall wellness. If you have periodontitis, you’re at higher risk for:

Heart disease
Stroke
Diabetes

These are serious health conditions that can cause major problems and even lead to death. Thankfully, there are multiple treatments for gum disease and periodontitis to help restore your oral and overall health before it gets to this point.

Gum disease treatments

The 2K Dental team has successfully treated many patients with gum disease. Depending on your individual situation, we may recommend a variety of treatment options to improve and maintain your gum health, such as:

Antibacterial mouthwash to fight infection
Dental scaling and root planing to clean teeth above and below your gums
Bone and tissue grafts to replace damaged areas in your mouth
Gum surgery to lift gums and remove tartar before suturing them back in place

The biggest thing to remember is that gum disease is highly preventable. Just practice consistent, good oral hygiene (brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day), and schedule regular professional cleanings. And, if you notice bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease, schedule a visit with 2K Dental so we can provide the care you need.

Don’t wait to address your bleeding gums. Call one of our three offices as soon as possible to schedule a visit!