Caring for Bleeding Gums
If you are noticing that your gums bleed easily, there may be a simple cause that is no reason to be concerned. Unfortunately, bleeding gums can also be a result of an oral condition making it important that you get to the bottom of it.
Common Causes of Bleeding Gums:
- Hard brushing or rigorous flossing
- New flossing habits that your gums are not used to
- Blood-thinning medications
- Gingivitis caused by pregnancy
- Ill-fitting dentures
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease known as periodontitis, is a bacterial infection of the mouth or gums. If gum disease goes unnoticed, you may be at risk of tooth loss or damage to the surrounding tissue. There are different types and progressions of gum disease and infection. It is important to note that not all gingivitis will progress to full gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
While built-up plaque is the most common and primary cause of gum disease, there is also the potential for other factors to contribute to its development:
- Hormonal changes – changes in hormones during different life stages as well as pregnancy can make gums more vulnerable and therefore prone to gingivitis.
- Immune System Affecting Illness – When your immune system is not running at full capacity, your gums may be more sensitive and susceptible to bacterial infections just like the rest of your body.
- Tobacco use – The use of tobacco products makes it harder for your tissue to repair itself and smokeless tobacco also can cause additional plaque buildup.
- Poor oral hygiene – Gum disease can often times be simply due to not taking proper care of your gums. Without daily removal of plaque, your risk for gum disease becomes higher.
Gum Disease Treatments & Prevention
If you have symptoms such as persistent bleeding gums or gums that appear red and swollen, it’s time to make a visit to IKON Dental Group. When treating gum disease, Dr. Khan’s goal is to promote healthier reattachment of the gums to the teeth. Dr. Izaz Khan will assess your treatment based on the progression of the gum disease. There are both surgical and non-surgical solutions for gum disease based upon severity of progression. If surgical intervention is required, Dr. Khan will refer you to a Periodontist .
As for prevention, the best way to prevent gum disease is proper oral hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. When you make it in to IKON Dental Group for your regular checkups and cleanings, your risk for gum disease reduces significantly. Other than your routine dental visits, a good part of oral hygiene is made at home. Encouraging good oral hygiene in your household is one of the easiest ways to prevent gum disease or other plaque-caused problems.
If you are concerned about your gum health or are just simply due for a checkup, call IKON Dental Group today to set up an appointment with Dr. Khan.