Bleeding Gums May Be More Serious Than You Think! [Video Explanation]

It’s not unusual for your gums to bleed occasionally while brushing. However, if your gums bleed frequently after you brush or floss, that may be a sign of a serious issue! We encourage any patients with persistent bleeding gums to schedule a visit with us at Asthetic Dental as soon as possible. There, we will examine your smile and determine the root cause of the issue, providing the right treatment to keep your smile healthy.

Why Are Your Gums Bleeding?

Gums can bleed for any number of reasons. The most common include:

• Brushing or flossing too roughly
• Taking blood-thinning medications
• Deficiencies in certain vitamins
• The earliest stage of gum disease

The most common cause by far is gingivitis, or the earliest stage of gum disease.

According to the National Institute of Health, more than 47% of adults 30 years and up in the US have some form of gum disease. And if you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with this condition, you may not even be aware of it!

Gingivitis has very subtle signs, making it difficult for patients to notice. In most cases, gingivitis doesn’t even cause pain, so those who don’t come in routinely for dental visits remain unaware until the infection spreads.

One symptom to look out for, though, is bleeding gums. While they’re not always a sign of something more, bleeding gums may mark the beginning of your struggle with gum disease.

Breaking Down Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs in stages, starting with gingivitis.

1. Gingivitis: In this beginning stage, you may notice swollen, red, or bleeding gums. The bacteria on your teeth are slowly spreading towards your gum line, irritating the tissues and causing inflammation.
2. Mild periodontitis:  The next stage involves noticeable effects, like receding gums or dental abscesses. As the bacteria reach below your gum line, your gums will start to pull away from your teeth, creating pus-filled pockets of bacteria called abscesses.
3. Moderate periodontitis: Without treatment, bacteria will continue to spread underneath your gums. At this stage, you’ll start to lose bone and ligaments that support your teeth. Pain and bad breath are common and clear signs that an infection is causing irreversible damage.
4. Severe periodontitis: Finally, in the last stage of gum disease, the tissues supporting your teeth are extremely eroded. You may notice your teeth coming loose, difficulty chewing, and, eventually, tooth loss. Once you reach this stage, we cannot reverse the effects of gum disease. All we can do is help you manage it effectively.

Early intervention is key to treating gum disease, which is why it’s so important to notice early signs, such as bleeding gums. If you think you’re struggling with gum disease, reach out! Our office provides gum disease treatment and emergency services for patients in dire need.

Treatment for Bleeding Gums

At Aesthetic Dental, we have a few ways to treat gum disease, but the earlier we start, the better.

The best way to treat gum disease is to prevent it. Regular brushing and flossing, along with routine visits every 6 months, help keep your smile healthy. Without these visits, early signs of gingivitis may go unnoticed, resulting in serious issues later.

If you’re dealing with early signs of infection, we can reverse the effects with professional cleanings and regular dental hygiene. Additionally, we may be able to place an antibiotic directly beneath the gums to target the affected area. This antibiotic helps stop the progression of gum disease before bone loss starts.

If you’re beginning to lose bone, we will use intensive treatments, such as scaling and root planing or laser dentistry, to remove infected tissue. However, we much prefer to see patients before they’re in pain so that we can make their experience at our office comfortable.

When brushing or flossing your teeth, be sure to look out for bleeding gums, and check in with your dentist regularly to make sure your smile is healthy.

Take Care of the Early Signs of Gum Disease To Stop the Infection!

Bleeding gums may be a sign that you’re brushing or flossing too hard, or that an infection is beginning. Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can cause frequent bleeding gums and requires immediate treatment to prevent the spread of infection. Without dental care, gingivitis will advance into more serious stages that affect your oral health. If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, reach out to us at Aesthetic Dental in Southfield, MI, for fast and effective care.

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