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What is Gum Disease?
Everyone has dental plaque, a sticky biofilm that continually builds up on your teeth and gums. Most plaque is removed when you brush and floss regularly. Gum disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque.
If you have poor oral hygiene, plaque isn’t removed, and the bacteria in plaque produce toxins that inflame and infect the gums, causing them to bleed. Any plaque that remains on teeth for longer than a couple of days hardens into calculus or tartar, a hard, crusty substance that must be removed professionally during a dental hygiene appointment.
Tartar makes it easier for more plaque to build up over tooth surfaces, and all the time, the bacteria in plaque and tartar will continue to create more toxins, worsening the inflammation and infection.
Without professional dental care, a mild gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, can quickly worsen into severe periodontal disease —a condition that is more challenging to treat.
Gum Disease Signs to Look Out For
If you have regular dental exams at NYC Dentistry Center, we can detect the early signs of gum disease. However, if you haven’t been able to get a dental exam for a while, below are some symptoms to be aware of, in addition to bleeding and fragile gums.
- Swollen gums that can feel tender to the touch.
- Red or purple colored gums (healthy gums should be pink colored).
- Bad breath.
- Receding gums so teeth look longer, and you may even see tooth roots appear.
- Loose teeth.
If you have bleeding gums, schedule a dental exam with Dr. Navid Rahmani, our principal dentist and a board-certified periodontist. A periodontist is a dental specialist in the treatment of gum conditions, ensuring you receive the very best care from Dr. Rahmani and his periodontal team.
Your diagnosis will be quick and will likely involve digital X-rays to assess any bone damage around your teeth, so that we can recommend the best possible bleeding gums treatment.
How to Treat Bleeding Gums
Numerous treatment options are available for bleeding gums. You will be given a customized treatment plan based on your unique oral health needs. Below are some of the solutions we may suggest.
- Scale and polish.An ordinary hygiene appointment or a scale and polish might be all that is needed if you only have mild gum disease or gingivitis.
- Oral hygiene review.Our hygiene team can provide oral hygiene recommendations on improved brushing and flossing techniques, as well as advice on the best tools to use at home. Following these recommendations will help you maintain better gum health in the long term.
- Antibiotics. We may prescribe antibiotics to help clear up a bacterial infection, and if so, please take the complete course.
- Scaling and root planing.This is a deep dental cleaning suitable for moderate to severe gum disease, where gums have started to recede.
- Laser therapy.Laser dentistry can be used in combination with other treatments to help eliminate more severe bacterial infections in gum tissue and to remove tissues that are too badly damaged to heal.
In some cases, more extensive gum surgery may be necessary for severe periodontitis. If this is the case, we can provide the most advanced periodontal treatments available to help restore gum health.
How to Stop Gum Bleeding at Home
You will need professional treatment for bleeding gums, but good oral care is vital afterward. Our hygiene team can provide you with expert advice on how to stop gums bleeding and how to care for your teeth and gums effectively. These simple tips may include:
- At least twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
- Flossing every day or using another method to clean them between your teeth, like interdental brushes or a WaterPik.
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Using a soft-bristle toothbrush that can clean teeth effectively but will not harm your gums.
- Avoiding harmful habits like smoking.
- Scheduling regular dental exams and hygiene appointments for ongoing professional preventive dentistry.
Practising good oral care can also help prevent gums from bleeding initially.
Other Reasons for Bleeding Gums
Gums can start to bleed for other reasons, such as brushing teeth too vigorously, which can damage gum tissue, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. In this case, we can provide suitable hygiene advice on using the right toothbrush correctly. Sometimes, switching to an electric toothbrush can be beneficial, as these models often feature built-in pressure sensors that alert you if you press too hard.
However, sometimes gums will bleed because of medical issues that may potentially be undiagnosed. These can include:
- Diabetes.
- Vitamin deficiencies.
- Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
- Medical conditions like leukemia, HIV-AIDS, and blood-clotting disorders.
If we cannot determine the reason why your gums are bleeding, we will suggest that you schedule a checkup with your healthcare provider.
They can review your medical history and, if necessary, order appropriate tests to identify underlying health conditions and, if needed, provide suitable medical treatment.
If you are experiencing bleeding gums, NYC Dentistry Center in Midtown East can help diagnose the cause and provide effective treatment to restore your gum health. Call our office at (212) 518-6096 or visit our dentistry center to learn more.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096