Your gum tissue will look firm and pinkish in color if you have healthy gums. However, unhealthy gums may be red, swollen, puffy, tender, or you may be experiencing bleeding gums. When you brush and floss your teeth, healthy gum tissue will not bleed. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of American adults have some form of gum disease. Drs. Lepore and Dougherty at Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry in Dunedin, FL, like to say, “If every time you washed your hands, your fingers bled, how concerned would you be? But bleeding when we “wash” our teeth with brushing and flossing is okay? A little blood in the sink is not okay.”
Bleeding gums may be a sign of gum disease. In addition to bleeding gums, other symptoms of gum disease include bad breath (halitosis), receding gums, or even loose teeth.
The Most Common Causes Of Bleeding Gums
Inflammation is caused by harmful bacterial plaque, which accumulates around teeth and at/below the gum line. This inflammation is your body trying to defend itself against bacterial invasion. These bacteria also release toxins that accelerate the inflammatory process. Bleeding gums, at a minimum, is gingivitis. When this process continues, the chronic inflammation can irreversibly erode the bone surrounding the teeth. This process is called periodontitis.
- Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy and menopause)
- Vitamin K deficiency
- Blood thinners
Why Is It So Important?
The link between the health of your mouth and overall health is known as the oral-systemic connection. Certain bacteria in your mouth can result in chronic inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more.
Ways To Prevent Or Reduce Bleeding Gums
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily.
- Floss your teeth at least once daily.
- Visit your dentist a minimum of twice a year.
- Establish baseline with tests (Salivary Diagnostics – see below) with follow-up testing to see improvement
- Low-level hydrogen peroxide delivery via customized trays (PerioProtect – see below)
- Changing the oral flora bacterial flora composition by use of oral probiotics (ProBiora Pro – see below)
Gingivitis: The Do’s & Don’ts With Dr. Lepore
Bleeding gums are a common occurrence but should not be taken lightly. Dr. Lepore goes into detail and explains the implications and effects of gingivitis on your oral cavity. He even speaks from personal experience and denotes the importance of hygiene appointments and the insight the hygiene team provides in situations where you could lose tissue or bone mass if left neglected.
How To Treat Gum Disease
Here at Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry, we can effectively treat your gum inflammation or, if applicable, gum disease through a variety of methods:
- Salivary diagnostics is a simple test completed in our office to detect oral pathogens that cause decay or gum disease and can threaten your oral and systemic health. This test can help determine if you are at an increased risk of periodontal disease, decay, heart disease, stroke, and more.
- Prophylaxis cleaning (basic cleaning) – A prophylaxis or basic cleaning is otherwise known as a healthy mouth cleaning and is the removal of dental plaque. During your prophylaxis, Drs. Lepore and Dougherty, alongside their team, will do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums
- Periodontal SRP Therapy (Periodontal Therapy Cleaning) – SRP is the removal of harmful dental plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the roots.
- Periodontal maintenance (Maintenance for Perio Patients) – A type of dental cleaning following periodontal therapy that includes the removal of plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line. The difference between periodontal maintenance and prophylaxis is periodontal maintenance treats active gum disease, whereas a prophy is preventive.
- Oral probiotics support gum and tooth health by binding to the teeth and flourishing below the gum tissue. Oral probiotics also promote whiter teeth, fresher breath, and greater overall oral health.
PerioProtect: Custom trays are fabricated to correspond to your individualized pocket probing depths and may be recommended for those with chronic gingivitis, periodontal disease, or undergoing periodontal maintenance.
The only way to treat gum disease and stop your gums from bleeding is by seeking professional treatment. Call Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry in Dunedin, FL, to schedule your dental cleaning today.
