A common complaint of patients that visit our office is that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. However, they often assume that it’s normal just because it’s not painful.
That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth, and here’s why.
Most people think that bleeding gums are from flossing or brushing too hard. If that were the case, there would probably be pain associated with the bleeding.
In fact, if your gums are bleeding, and you’re not experiencing pain, then it may actually mean that you are not brushing and flossing effectively and you have gum disease.
When dental plaque accumulates on your gum line, your gums become red and swollen, bleeding easily when you brush and floss.
Why is gum disease so bad?
If you continue to brush incorrectly or refrain from flossing, plaque accumulates over time, and as gum inflammation progresses, it can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results in loss of bone that supports the teeth and can progress to eventual tooth loss!
Recent research shows that while 90% of the population has bleeding gums at some point, 50% develop periodontal disease. Bleeding gums as a strong indicator that you need a dental examination.
Prevent Gum Disease with good oral hygiene
To ensure that plaque doesn’t accumulate, you need to brush twice a day and floss daily. Remember that flossing is essential for eliminating bacterial plaque between the teeth. If your gums do begin to bleed, it is important for you to make an appointment with us. We’ll conduct an examination and review your medical history to determine the cause of your bleeding gums.
While oral hygiene may play a role in this issue, we’ll want to determine if there are any other contributing factors including elevated hormone levels (from birth control pills or pregnancy), oral infections and even side effects from medications.
In addition to determining the root cause of the bleeding, we’ll do a professional cleaning to remove plaque that your daily oral hygiene cannot remove. Most importantly, we’ll be happy to review your brushing and flossing methods to correct any improper techniques
Look after your oral healthcare with the Perfect Smile Studios. Book your free consultation today
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