Do you experience bleeding gums during and after brushing and flossing your teeth?
The majority of patients who visit the dentist with bleeding gums issues tend to be in the early stages of Periodontitis, or gum disease. What most patients don’t know is that early signs of gum disease can be treated with relatively painless dental procedures. Dr. Naguib and his dental care team can provide gum infection and plaque control.
Removing infected gum tissue and deep cleaning the affected area can be done without the need for gum surgery. You risk losing your teeth if this issue is left without treatment. You can treat periodontitis at Premier Dental Care in Palmdale and Lancaster, CA. Dr. Karim Naguib and his team have experience in treating gum disease and other dental concerns.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Receding gums
- Mouth sores
- Bleeding gums
- Tender gums
- Red gums
Gum disease can also increase your risk of these conditions:
- Gum swelling
- Loose teeth
- Halitosis (Bad breath)
- Gum recession
- Shifting teeth
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
If you have noticed any of these problems connected to your oral health, call our Lancaster office at (661) 948-6700 or our Palmdale office at (661) 273-6565. Our professional staff will work with you to find a treatment that aligns with your specific needs.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
This is the first stage of gum disease, and it’s the only one that’s reversible. Plaque buildup on your teeth at the gumline contains bacteria that inflame the gum tissue.
Many of the symptoms at this stage are painless and may go unnoticed. Bleeding, red, and puffy gums are the easiest ways to tell.
One of the best ways of catching it this early is to make sure you’re going to regular dental checkups. We can notice the changes in your gums and recognize the early signs. Brushing, flossing, and special mouth rinses can reverse gingivitis.
Slight Periodontal Disease
At this stage, the infection reaches the bone and the bone starts deteriorating. At this point, the disease isn’t reversible, but it is able to be managed. Pockets start to form between your gums and your teeth, collecting more bacteria and plaque. Deep cleaning will need to be done at this stage to help keep it managed.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
The gum pockets become deeper at this stage, exposing more of your jawbone to harmful bacteria. At this stage, they enter and start attacking your bloodstream and immune system as well.
Scaling and root planing are done at this level. The built-up bacteria, food particles, and more are cleaned out of your gum pockets. The roots of the teeth are smoothed down so that the gums can reattach to them.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
This is the most severe form of periodontal disease. You experience extreme bone loss and your infected gums ooze pus, causing severe bad breath.
Chewing is painful and your teeth become loose or fall out. Periodontal surgery or laser therapy is required at this stage to help manage the infection.
Further health problems aside from oral ones can occur because the infection is in the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment
Schedule a visit with Dr. Naguib and his professional team twice a year to help maintain and check up on the health of your teeth and gums. If you have noticed your gums bleeding, please schedule an appointment at our office for a check-up. Even if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, it is important to catch gum disease early before the infection spreads and leads to more problems.
Gum disease can be treated with antibacterial rinses, laser therapy, gum surgery, or scaling and root planing. Dr. Naguib will assess your teeth and gums before periodontal treatment in order to determine which option works best for you.
Are there other reasons my gums could be bleeding?
Pregnancy, vigorous flossing or brushing, dentures that do not fit correctly and certain medications are also causes of bleeding gums. Pregnant women often suffer from gums that bleed due to hormonal changes taking place in the body. We advise that they continue to brush and floss, but be extra careful around delicate gum tissue to prevent bleeding.
Does smoking cause bleeding gums?
Yes! Any form of tobacco is extremely damaging to your gums. People who use tobacco on a regular basis are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Using tobacco can also lead to sore gums, sensitive teeth, and painful sores in the mouth.
How can I prevent bleeding gums?
The best way to prevent your gums from bleeding is to take proper care of your overall oral health. This includes daily flossing and brushing and visiting your dentist every six months.
You should also avoid tobacco, eat a healthy diet and control your stress. Living an overall healthy life will help protect your gums and oral health.
Bleeding Gums FAQs
How long does it take to recover from bleeding gums?
Bleeding should stop within three to ten days if you properly care for your gums. Flossing regularly will also help prevent gum bleeding and promote gum health.
What are the dangers of bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums are a common sign that you have gum disease. If left untreated, bleeding gums can lead to severe gum disease, long-term gum damage, and potentially tooth loss.
What to avoid when you have bleeding gums?
If you are suffering from bleeding gums, we recommend increasing your oral care routine. Bacteria and plaque that sit around the gum line often cause bleeding gums. We also recommend reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your vitamin intake.
What is the fastest way to stop bleeding gums?
There are ways to stop bleeding gums. Some of the fastest ways are applying clean, moist gauze to the area until the bleeding stops. You can also use a cold compress on the area for 10 minutes against the bleeding gums to relax them. Additionally, rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide can stop the bleeding. Long term, brushing your teeth two to three times a day and flossing once daily is a way to help avoid bleeding gums altogether.
Is bleeding gum a dental emergency?
Bleeding gums typically are not a dental emergency. They often result from gum disease and sometimes hard brushing. However, if your bleeding is severe, persistent, or painful, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Excessive bleeding that will not stop may be a sign of an infection.
What deficiency causes bleeding gums?
Vitamin C deficiency is a cause of bleeding gums. It helps keep your gums healthy and strong and prevents bleeding. On the other hand, not getting enough of this vitamin can affect the health of collagen in the gums. As a result, this can lead to inflammation and bleeding. You should try to consume vitamin C every day to maintain healthy gums.
Request an Appointment Today
Receive comfortable treatment at Premier Dental Care in Lancaster and Palmdale to treat gum disease today. Call our Lancaster, CA dentist office at (661) 948-6700 or schedule a dental visit to our Lancaster dentist office online.
Call our Palmdale, CA dentist office at (661) 273-6565 or schedule a visit to our Palmdale dentist office online. Dr. Naguib and his professional team offer friendly, high-quality dental care to patients of all ages.