In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about gum disease, its management, and prevention. So, read on to learn more. 

Are Bleeding Gums Normal?

If your gums bleed when you brush them, it is a sign that there is something wrong with your oral health. That is why you shouldn’t consider this condition lightly. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, bleeding from the gums is an early sign of gum disease. Therefore, if you or a loved one has bleeding from gums whenever they brush or floss, they should visit their dentist right away. 

What Is The Reason For Gum Bleeding?

According to Healthline, gum bleeding can occur due to various reasons. The foremost reason is underlying gum disease caused by plaque and tartar deposition on the teeth. Another reason for gum bleeding could be the use of excessive force when you brush your teeth. This could result in physical injury to the gums causing bleeding. Vitamin C deficiency is another cause of gum disease, which can cause a condition called scurvy. 

Why Am I Experiencing Bleeding Gums Without Brushing?

Bleeding from gums doesn’t always occur while brushing or eating. It can also occur even when they are not stimulated. For example, gum bleeding can occur continuously in advanced gum disease. Moreover, constant bleeding from the gums is also common in people suffering from scurvy. According to the NHS, scurvy is caused by Vitamin C deficiency, and one of its common signs is gum bleeding, swelling, and tenderness. 

What Causes My Gums To Bleed At Night?

If your gums only bleed during the night, it could be due to a condition called bruxism. This condition is characterised by excessive teeth grinding during the night or daytime. When one grinds their gums during sleep, it exerts pressure on the teeth and gums. As a result, the biting surfaces of the teeth begin to flatten while the gums start to bleed. In later stages, excessive pressure on the gums can result in chronic gum disease and complications such as tooth loss. 

Is Your Gum Disease Over If The Bleeding Stops?

If your gums stop bleeding, does it mean you no longer have gum disease? Not always. If your dentist has performed professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar deposits, then you may observe cessation in gum bleeding. This is because teeth cleaning will help neutralise the harmful bacteria that cause gum bleeding. On the other hand, if you haven’t sought any treatment for your bleeding gums and they have suddenly stopped bleeding, it isn’t a sign that your gum disease is over. So, gum bleeding should stop after periodontal treatment. However, if it stops without treatment, it means that the disease is still there and you shouldn’t take this condition lightly. 

When Should I See A Dentist For Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding from your gums is a sign of poor oral hygiene. The first thing to do in this case is to maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once. Moreover, you may consider using a mouthwash for added dental cleaning. However, if these measures don’t stop the bleeding, this means that there is a need for dental treatment and you should visit your dentist right away. 

Is Dental Cleaning Good Or Bad?

Dental cleaning is a procedure in which your dentist removes the plaque and tartar deposits on your teeth. They will use an ultrasonic scaler whose tip vibrates at a very high frequency to remove tartar from your teeth. While there is no harm in getting one’s teeth professionally cleaned once or twice a year, it should be done frequently. Moreover, teeth cleaning should not be considered an alternative to regular oral hygiene measures such as brushing and flossing. 

Why Does Teeth Cleaning Have To Be Done Twice A Year?

Everyone doesn’t need to have one’s teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Instead, teeth cleaning once or twice a year is recommended for only those people who are at a high risk of developing gum disease. If you have healthy gums that don’t bleed, you don’t need frequent professional teeth cleaning. 

How To Stop My Gums From Bleeding?

The best way to stop your gums from bleeding is to maintain optimal oral hygiene. You can do this by brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush. You should also use a floss for internal cleaning at least once a day. Moreover, you can ask your dentist to prescribe you a mouthwash which will help in neutralising the disease-causing bacteria and accelerate the healing process. Finally, you should eat a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients. A healthy diet boosts immunity and helps with healing. 

If you are looking for the best dental practice in Rotherham for teeth cleaning, there is no better option than Precision Dental Care. We have the best dentists in town to look after your entire family’s dental health. Join our patient family and take your first step towards a healthy and lasting smile

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So, what is gum disease and how does it affect one’s oral health and physical well-being? We will explain everything in this blog. So, continue reading to learn everything you need to know about gum disease and its management. 

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

According to the US National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research, gum disease refers to a condition in which the tissues supporting your teeth in the jawbones. The starting point of gum disease in virtually all cases is poor oral hygiene. 

When one ignores regular oral hygiene measures such as brushing and flossing, it results in the formation of plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth. These plaque and tartar deposits provide an ideal breeding ground for the harmful bacteria, which release toxins that irritate the gum tissues and cause inflammation. When this happens, the gums start to detach from the teeth, resulting in the formation of “pockets”. 

At this stage, gum disease is reversible. However, if it is not treated timely, it can lead to significant damage to the jawbones and even tooth loss. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Gum Disease?

The typical signs of early-stage gum disease are red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed whenever you brush or eat anything. You will also observe that your gums have receded from their normal position. Some people may also experience bad breath during gum disease. This early-stage inflammation is called gingivitis. However, in the case of long-standing gum disease, there is widespread destruction of the bone tissue making the teeth mobile. Advanced gum disease at this stage is called periodontitis. 

What Happens If Gum Disease Is Left Untreated?

As mentioned earlier, gum disease is reversible if diagnosed and treated timely. However, if it is left untreated for a long duration, it can lead to significant jawbone damage. As a result, the teeth become mobile in their socket. Further delay in seeking treatment will make the teeth so mobile that they start falling off. 

How Can Gum Disease Affect Your Overall Health?

Did you know that gum disease not only affects our oral health, it can also have a direct influence on our physical health and well-being? For example, the harmful bacteria in the plaque and tartar deposits can travel through the bloodstream or the food to other body organs and cause serious, even life-threatening medical conditions, the so-called oral-systemic link. 

If the bacteria enter the heart, it can result in the inflammation of the prosthetic heart valves. Similarly, research has shown that people with poor oral hygiene and gum disease are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Moreover, the risk of preterm or low birth weight is higher for pregnant women with gum disease than for healthy ones. 

How To Avoid Gum Disease?

The good news is that gum disease is preventable. The NHS recommends the following measures to prevent gum disease in the first place:

• Oral Hygiene Maintenance – the main factor involved in the development and progression of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. So, by brushing your teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and flossing once every day, you significantly reduce the risk of gum disease
• Tooth-friendly Diet – a fibre- and nutrient-rich diet goes a long way in preventing plaque and tartar deposition, and keeping our gums healthy
• Regular Dental Checkups – by visiting your dentist regularly, you will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, and any underlying issues are diagnosed well before they cause any problems 

Can Gum Disease Be Treated Without Surgery?

Early-stage gum disease, also called gingivitis can be treated non-surgically by improving oral hygiene maintenance and dietary care. However, if the disease progresses into an advanced stage, the only option is to treat it surgically through scaling and polishing. The procedure involves using an ultrasonic scaler to remove adherent plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth.

Is Gum Treatment Painful?

You may experience slight pain or discomfort during the surgical treatment of gum disease. However, your dentist will apply a topical anaesthetic agent on your gums so that you remain pain-free during the procedure. 

Should I Use Soft Or Hard Bristles With Bleeding Gums?

It is advisable to use a soft-bristled toothbrush for teeth cleaning, particularly when one has gum disease. This is because a hard-bristled toothbrush will irritate your gums resulting in their recession and development of complications such as root sensitivity and decay. The same happens when one applies excessive force while brushing teeth. That is why dentists recommend using a soft toothbrush and using gentle brushing force for oral hygiene maintenance. 

Gum disease is preventable and easily treatable if diagnosed early. However, long-standing gum disease can seriously affect one’s oral and physical health, and cause various complications, including tooth loss. That is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly for checkups. If you are looking for a dental practice in Rotherham for the treatment of periodontal disease, your best option is Precision Dental, where we provide all dental services under one roof, at affordable prices. So, join our patient family today and let us take good care of your family’s oral health and smile. 

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