Did you know gum disease is contagious?
Is brushing your teeth painful? Do you find yourself spitting out blood into the sink along with your toothpaste?
Nearly half of all Canadians experience this at some point during their lives.
If you have swollen gums that tend to bleed, then you are likely struggling with periodontal or gum disease. Continue reading to learn how to properly care for your gums and why you should take care of the problem as soon as possible!
WHY ARE MY GUMS BLEEDING?
Swollen, bloody gums are the product of inflammation, which is an early stage of periodontal or gum disease.
Gum disease is usually caused by poor oral hygiene habits: failing to brush regularly and thoroughly or skipping flossing altogether.
When you do not brush well, the plaque left behind builds up and begins to harden onto your tooth surface. This build up of bacteria will start out causing a mild form of inflammation called gingivitis. If left untreated for a long time, your gums can become very swollen, red, and sensitive, which is the sign of further deterioration. The gingivitis can progress and become periodontitis which causes destruction of the bone surrounding that tooth. This will eventually lead to the tooth becoming wiggly and ultimately may result in tooth loss .
3 things you can do to prevent or help improve your swollen gums
- Schedule an appointment with your dentist for a professional cleaning. Hygienist have gone to school in order to provide a range of personalized care for oral disease prevention.
- Brush and floss gently to avoid further irritation. You shouldn’t stop brushing because your gums hurt: it will only cause the plaque to build up more and cause bacteria to grow.
- Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution. It will soothe the tissues and get rid of bacteria in your mouth. Stay away from strong mouthwashes that have alcohol in it. They are most likely going to bother your gums.
Why Deep Cleaning is so Important for Gum Disease
Once you reach the point where your gums are inflamed and sensitive, there’s not much you can do at home to fix it.
For mild cases of gingivitis, a professional dental cleaning can reverse the effects. When you come into our office, we will remove all traces of plaque and calculus build up from your teeth to give your gums relief and allow them to heal.
If your gingivitis has progressed into full-blown periodontal disease, you will need a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). The deep clean removes the bacteria and plaque that has built up below your gumline.
Once your teeth have been professionally cleaned, you can then supplement those cleanings by brushing and flossing at home according to your dentist’s instructions.
Remember, professional cleanings by your dentist go a long way to keeping your gums and mouth healthy.
Are your gums sore when you brush your teeth? Well then, it’s time to visit the dentist!
Schedule your next appointment on our online booking form or by calling us 604-336-9360