Treatment for Bleeding Gums in Raleigh, NC
If you notice a small amount of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing your teeth, this is a dental concern known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease development. Left untreated, gum disease leads to many major issues for your smile including gum recession, soft tissue inflammation, and increased sensitivity.
It’s important to stop gum disease progression in its tracks before it has the chance to cause major dental concerns. To combat gum disease progression, Dr. Emily Ann Reece recommends that patients visit us once every six months for oral health and wellness visits. This allows our trained dental professionals to monitor the health of your gums and remove any plaque or tartar buildup before it begins damaging your gum line.
Your smile is healthiest when all of your dental structures including your soft tissues are accounted for. Caring for your gums by thoroughly brushing and flossing every day, twice a day goes a long way in preventing gum disease progression outside of our office. We want to help our patients avoid the major damages that gum disease can cause to their smiles, and we will do everything we can to ensure that their soft tissues are taken care of.
The Stages of Gum Disease
When your gums are healthy, they’re firm and pink. They have strong support and the bone under them is sturdy and strong. When you start seeing deviations from gums of this type, they’re warning signs about gum disease. Here are the four stages of gum disease progression:
- Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease and the only one that’s reversible. You’ll start to notice inflammation around your gumline. The gums may be red, sensitive, and more prone to bleeding. The buildup of bacteria at your gum line needs to be cleaned out to prevent advancement.
- Early Periodontitis: Your gums get more inflamed and they start to pull away from your teeth. The gaps that are formed are called pockets, and start to become filled with bacteria and food particles. The surrounding bone starts to become damaged.
- Moderate Periodontitis: The inflammation spreads and gets worse. Your discomfort increases. Since more of the supporting bone structure is lost, your gums recede even further and you start to get loose teeth.
- Advanced Periodontitis: This stage is where you start to lose your teeth. The infection also makes its way under the gum line. Painful abscesses form.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by sticky residue left behind on your smile from common foods and beverages. As the residue hardens on your dental structures, bacteria develop along your gum line and begin to irritate your soft tissues.
This is why with the added pressure of brushing or flossing, your gums may begin to bleed. While bleeding gums are the main warning sign of gum disease development, other symptoms include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Red or swollen gums.
- Tender gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth.
- Teeth sensitivity
- Receding gums or longer appearing teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to have a dental professional evaluate your smile sooner rather than later so that we may stop the progression before it results in permanent damages.
At Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we are also able to provide periodontal disease treatments if your smile has already been affected by gum disease. Please schedule an appointment online, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Frequent Questions
What to avoid when you have bleeding gums?
Patients with bleeding gums should avoid high stress levels, consuming carbohydrates, and smoking. Increasing your intake of vitamin c and k will help strengthen your gums and prevent bleeding in the future.
How long does it take to recover from bleeding gums?
If bleeding gums are appropriately treated and taken care of at home, the bleeding should stop within three to ten days. In order to aid in the recovery of your gums, it is important that you floss and brush your teeth daily.
Can vitamin C stop gum bleeding?
People with low vitamin C levels usually have weaker gums than those with normal levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C can boost gum health and prevent gums from bleeding.
Should I brush my gums if they bleed when brushing?
Inflamed or bleeding gums are a sign that plaque and food particles are thriving along the gum line. This causes bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth. Brushing and flossing will help stop the bleeding. However if you avoid this, the bleeding will become progressively worse.
Should I worry about bleeding gums?
Although bleeding gums are common, you should not ignore them. Gum disease is commonly the cause of bleeding gums. If caught and treated in its earliest stages, you can reverse gum disease.