Sciota, Pennsylvania
Most people would be alarmed to find some part of their body bleeding. But for some reason, bleeding gums does not worry most individuals. However, bleeding gums is cause for concern in some cases. If you ever experience bleeding gums, it’s essential to determine the cause so that you can manage the issue and prevent it from happening again. So today on the blog, our family dentists in Sciota at Quiet Valley Dental share four unsuspecting causes of bleeding gums and what you can do about it.
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Using a new or hard-bristled toothbrush
It’s common knowledge that any toothbrush will do the job. And while that is true for the most part, brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush could actually do more harm than good. For one, a hard toothbrush has stiff bristles that won’t reach between your teeth and into the tiny crevices as well, leaving harmful bacteria behind. But hard-bristled toothbrushes can also irritate the gums, causing them to bleed. So, if you notice pink in the sink when you brush your teeth, consider opting for a soft-bristled toothbrush and see if your symptoms subside. If not, you should schedule an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible as there could be a more serious problem going on.
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Over-brushing
You might not know this but there is such a thing as over-brushing or brushing too hard and aggressively. Brushing in this manner could damage your gums and wear away your enamel, the protective coating on your teeth. How can you tell if you brush too hard? Inspect your toothbrush’s bristles. Bristles that are splayed or frayed could indicate that you’re applying too much pressure when brushing, although these are also signs that your toothbrush is worn out. Therefore, if your toothbrush looks worn out and you haven’t been using it for long and you experience bleeding gums when you brush, lighten up on your grip when brushing your teeth.
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Gingivitis
Bleeding gums is one of the primary signs of gum disease, which begins as gingivitis. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease, although it is curable in this early stage. Gingivitis develops as a direct result of neglecting to care for your teeth and gums. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gums are red and inflamed. If this is the case for you, speak with the dentist right away about a care plan and ways to manage your condition before it worsens into periodontal disease. With good oral hygiene efforts at home like brushing and flossing daily, plus going to the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings, your condition should improve.
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Periodontitis or gum disease
If gingivitis is neglected, it progresses into periodontal or gum disease. This stage is not reversible, although you can stop the disease from progressing. However, permanent damage has been done to your oral health. In cases of periodontitis, the gums recede away from the base of the teeth forming what are called periodontal pockets. These pockets harbor bacteria and can be difficult to keep clean without the help of a professional deep dental cleaning. The bacteria inflame the gums, causing them to bleed easily and feel sensitive to the touch. That’s why, if you have bleeding gums, it’s best to have a dentist evaluate your condition. Because without care, you could be damaging your oral health without even realizing it. Untreated periodontal disease leads to foul-smelling breath, and loose teeth, and is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults.
Schedule a dental checkup in Sciota, Pennsylvania
Bleeding gums is common, but that doesn’t mean it is something you should ignore. If your gums bleed, we highly recommend an oral exam at Quiet Valley Dental to rule out any detrimental oral diseases. If you would like to learn more about maintaining your oral health or need to find out how to get your gums to stop bleeding, contact Quiet Valley Dental by calling (570) 992-7040.
