Your gum health is as important as the health of your teeth. After all, your gums support your teeth and help keep them anchored into your jawbone. If your gums are unhealthy, your oral health suffers.
Are you currently experiencing tenderness in your gums or bleeding gums? In this blog post, we discuss what can cause these issues and how they can be treated.
What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Gum Disease
Bleeding gums are most commonly caused by gum disease or periodontal disease. There are two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis, the mild first stage of gum disease, is characterized by tenderness, puffiness, and bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth. Usually, gingivitis can be reversed if you improve your oral health habits. This is because the gums are being irritated by a buildup of bacteria and debris.
If gum disease progresses into periodontitis, there can be serious consequences, like tooth loss. Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Underlying Health Conditons
Other possible reasons for bleeding gums include a vitamin K deficiency, hormonal changes, and bleeding disorders.
Treatment for Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums should not be ignored. They’re usually caused by harmful bacteria that has accumulated into a sticky film called plaque.
Improve Your Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, making sure to gently brush along your gumline. Remember to floss every day, too! This cleans out food and plaque caught in the small spaces between your teeth and from under your gumline. Rinsing with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash can also help fight the accumulation of bacteria along your gumline.
Evaluate Your Other Oral Health Habits
There are additional steps you can take at home to improve your oral health habits. Consume a balanced diet; eat sugary treats in moderation; limit carbohydrates to about 45-65% of your total caloric intake; drink plenty of water; and avoid tobacco products.
Schedule a Cleaning & Checkup
In conjunction with good oral health habits at home, visit Seaport Family Dentistry, your family dentist in Liberty, MO, for regular cleanings and exams. Our expert hygienists will deep clean your mouth by meticulously removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. We can also give you advice on improving your oral health habits.
For severe cases of gum disease, our team may recommend more specialized treatment or more frequent cleanings.
Treatment for Bleeding Gums in Liberty, MO
Brushing, flossing, and keeping up with regular professional cleanings will keep your gums healthy and strong. Sore, tender, or bleeding gums are a sign that’s something wrong.
But if you’re dealing with bleeding gums, we are here to help! We offer a variety of services, including preventive and restorative dental care.
Contact us with any dental-related questions or to schedule an appointment at Seaport Family Dentistry!