Gum Disease: Are Your Gums Bleeding for No Apparent Reason?
Have you noticed your gums seem to bleed whenever you brush or floss, or for no reason at all? Bleeding gums are not healthy and now is the time to take action!
Why Gums May Bleed
Every day, bacteria build up on your tooth surfaces. Unless they are removed with regular brushing and flossing there is a good chance they will infect your gums. One side effect of this infection is inflammation, created as your body’s immune system tries to fight back. It is this inflammation that causes the gums to become fragile and to bleed more easily.
Getting Treatment for Bleeding Gums
A check-up at Apple Dental will enable us to diagnose the problem and an early diagnosis will enable you to completely eradicate this condition, called gingivitis, hopefully before it can cause permanent damage. Ignoring these early symptoms will lead to a much more serious form of gum disease, called periodontitis.
Treatment for gingivitis is very straightforward as we will get rid of the infection by professionally cleaning your teeth and gums and can tell you how to improve your home oral care. Persevering with your improved oral care routine will stop your gums from bleeding as they gradually become healthier and stronger.
Seven Signs to Check If You Have Gum Disease
Gum disease is an extremely destructive condition that can lead to tooth loss. If you think you might have gum disease, please visit Apple Dental as soon as you can. Signs to look out for include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Your gums may look red or could be swollen and tender to touch
- Noticing a persistently nasty taste in your mouth
- Having permanently bad breath
- Your teeth may look longer than before as the gums recede
- One or more teeth may begin to feel loose
- Your teeth may begin to bite together slightly differently
One of the real problems with gum disease is that the early signs are easy to overlook and it is sometimes called the “silent disease.” This is why we thoroughly recommend six monthly check ups and professional cleanings. Even though you may think there is nothing wrong, our dentist can detect the very earliest signs of gum disease, at which stage it is usually completely curable.