When Should I Be Concerned About Bleeding Gums?
Of all the complaints dentists hear from their patients, bleeding gums is one of the most common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 46 percent of adults over the age of 30 show symptoms of Periodontitis, such as bleeding gums. About nine percent have severe gum disease.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease that often manifests as bleeding gums when you brush or floss. If you see blood after cleaning your teeth, you may be in the early stages of gum disease. Thankfully, a Piscataway dentist can reverse gingivitis before it turns into gum disease.
The Stages of Gum Disease and Their Symptoms
Gum disease can be caught early enough to prevent any lasting damage. It comes in several stages. With each progression, the symptoms become more severe and difficult to ignore.
Gingivitis
In the earliest stage of Periodontitis, the gums may redden, swell, and bleed. This is because the bacteria that live in the plaque and tartar on your teeth have inflamed the gums. Gingivitis is reversible, so it may be possible to stop it in time to prevent permanent gum loss.
Mild Periodontitis
Gingivitis has progressed to mild gum disease when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This causes periodontal pockets, grooves that surround the teeth and collect food particles and bacteria. Some bone loss is common at this stage.
Moderate Periodontitis
With moderate gum disease, your gums may become quite tender and sore. Not only are you still experiencing bleeding gums, but the bone loss and gum recession are joined by the loss of other soft tissues and ligaments protecting your teeth.
Advanced Periodontitis
Without treatment, gum disease can result in tooth loss and infection. With severe periodontitis, patients sometimes suffer from painful abscesses, puss at the gum line, and foul breath. Gum disease of this magnitude has most likely permanently damaged the jaw and the roots of the teeth.
How to Treat Bleeding Gums?
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it would be best to make an appointment with your dentist. Severe and radiating pain, swelling, and abscesses are each considered a dental emergency, so don’t wait until your scheduled appointment to see someone about those.
In the meantime, mild bleeding gums can be treated at home and with some care and attention from your dentist. Gently but thoroughly brush your teeth and gums twice a day. Make sure to floss! In addition, your dentist can perform a routine cleaning that treats symptoms and prevents further damage.
For more advanced stages of gum disease, your dentist can also perform scaling and root planing (SRP) to eliminate periodontal pockets and help your gums reform to your teeth. They may also use antibiotics to completely rid these pockets of bacteria in the weeks following your deep cleaning.
Choose iCare4Smiles for Your Piscataway Dentist
At iCare4Smiles, we aim to provide expert and compassionate dental care that matches the individual needs of each patient. Through preventative care, we can prevent and treat the early stages of gum disease. If your gum disease has damaged your teeth and gums, we can get you back on track toward a healthy smile and restore badly damaged or lost teeth through restorative dentistry.
To schedule your appointment, call (732) 800-9524 today.