Taking care of your teeth is only half the battle. You also need to care for your gums! Gum health is just as important as tooth health, especially considering one affects the other.
When your gums are unhealthy, you put yourself at risk for tooth decay and severe infection. Similarly, unhealthy and neglected teeth can lead to bleeding gums and gum disease.
Preventing gum disease, which ranges from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, is a primary concern for all dental health providers. At Bristol Dental Clinic, we want to help you maintain healthy gums for life.
That’s why we put together this post. Here, we will go over everything you need to know about gum disease. In addition, we will explain the causes behind bleeding gums and provide our top tips for long-term gum health.
Gum Disease
What is gum disease?
Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection within your gums. It begins as inflammation brought on by poor dental hygiene.
If left untreated, the condition will worsen and unleash irreversible damage in your mouth. Advanced gum disease damages and destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth, leading to potential tooth loss in the infected areas.
What are the stages of gum disease?
- Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. The gums are inflamed, so they look red and swollen. They’re also sensitive to the touch and bleed easily. Gingivitis is located in the gums exclusively; the bone material and soft tissues are still unaffected at this stage. When detected early, gingivitis can be reversed simply by improving daily dental hygiene habits.
- Periodontitis is the second stage. With mild periodontitis, your gums are still inflamed and bleed easily. However, the gums also begin to pull away from your teeth, which causes “pockets” to appear between your teeth and gums. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria get trapped within the periodontal pockets, worsening the infection. You also start to lose some bone with mild periodontitis.As mild periodontitis worsens, you lose even more bone, soft tissue, and ligaments around your teeth. Your gums feel sore and tender.
- Advanced or severe periodontitis is the final stage—and the most serious. The infection continues to destroy the bone, ligaments, and soft tissue holding your tooth in place. With nothing left to anchor your teeth into your mouth, it can fall out. In addition to loosening teeth, you experience bleeding gums, deepening periodontal pockets, pus, and bad breath.
What are the causes of gum disease?
Most cases of gum disease are caused by poor oral hygiene. Insufficient brushing and flossing allows plaque and tartar to accumulate on your teeth and along the gum line. Over time, the bacteria travels beneath your gum line and begins to attack the tissues supporting your teeth, leading to infection.
Smoking, diabetes, and genetics can also increase your risk of developing periodontitis.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
- Red, swollen gums
- Gums that are tender and bleed easily
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession (gums pulling away from your teeth)
- Pain when chewing
- Pus around the gum line
- Loose and sensitive teeth
Bleeding Gums
What causes gums to bleed?
Bleeding gums are never a good sign; however, they don’t always point to gum disease. There are many conditions and causes behind bleeding gums. For example:
- Poor oral hygiene (such as improper brushing and infrequent flossing)
- Vitamin deficiency due to poor diet
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Faulty dental restorations
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Some medications
- Diabetes or leukemia
- Gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis, or trench mouth)
If your gums are bleeding, it’s important to understand why. After all, it could be a sign of a serious oral health condition. It’s important to ask your dental office in Mississauga to ensure you receive the necessary care to restore your gum health.
One common cause of bleeding gums that is not necessarily a cause for concern, however, is if you just started flossing. If you haven’t had a consistent flossing practice, then it’s normal for your gums to bleed a little in the beginning. The bleeding, though, should be minor. Plus, it should go away within a couple of weeks as your gums adjust to their new hygiene routine.
When should you ask for help?
You should contact your Mississauga dentist if your bleeding gums persist for two weeks, even with good oral hygiene care. We need to examine your gums for signs of infection. However, please reach out to Bristol Dental Clinic immediately if you experience severe bleeding.
How to Take Good Care of Your Gums
1. Practise good oral hygiene
A rigorous at-home dental hygiene regimen is crucial for gum health. It decreases your likelihood of gingivitis, periodontitis, and bleeding gums significantly, as well as the myriad of severe complications like tooth loss.
Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should brush for two minutes, at least 30 minutes after eating.
Floss once per day to remove hard-to-reach plaque accumulation along the gum line. Additionally, you can also rinse with mouthwash after meals to wash away some food residue and bacteria.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Diet is closely linked to oral health. You can keep your gum healthy by minimizing your consumption of sugary foods and beverages, as these promote acidity, bacterial overgrowth, and plaque. Plaque irritates your gums, accelerates tooth decay, and increases your risk of gum disease.
By eating a healthy, balanced diet full of vegetables, whole fruits, and fibrous grains, you give your gums the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy.
3. Drink plenty of water
Water also has an important part to play. Staying hydrated prevents dry mouth, an environment that elevates acidity in the mouth and spurs the development of plaque. Furthermore, drinking water rinses away food residue, sugars, and bacteria that would otherwise turn into plaque. Always choose water over sugary beverages.
4. Don’t use tobacco products
Smoking and other tobacco products are catastrophic for your overall and oral health. Your risk of developing gum disease is significantly higher if you smoke. This is because smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, depriving them of critical oxygen and nutrients. Your gums become more vulnerable to bacterial infection as a result.
5. Monitor your gums
You should also keep an eye on your gums for signs of infection, gum recession, or even oral cancer. Consequently, familiarizing yourself with the warning signs and symptoms is important. That way, you’ll know if something is amiss.
Inspect your gums regularly so you can catch any unexplained changes quickly. Early recognition and action are crucial for treating gum disease and other oral health issues.
6. Visit your dental office in Mississauga
Remember, you need to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. We examine your mouth for signs of gum disease, such as inflammation or receding gums.
In addition, we remove all plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque turns into tartar over time and once it does, it’s impossible to remove with at-home brushing and flossing alone. Only your dentist, with professional dental tools, can remove tartar and protect your teeth and gums from decay and infection.
Maintaining Healthy Gums for Life With Bristol Dental Clinic
Bristol Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental services in Mississauga. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced dental professionals are committed to keeping your teeth and gums healthy for life. Visit us today at our dental office in Mississauga to experience our welcoming office, cutting-edge technology, and superb services.
To book an appointment at our dental office in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
