Often times, when blood is drawn from your gum line when you brush your teeth, it can be a sign of a larger problem. Your gums shouldn’t be bleeding just from the act of you brushing or flossing your teeth. Many patients ignore this first warning sign and wait too long before they have their dentist look at their soft tissue. Are your gums bleeding? This could probably mean that you have gingivitis (the early stages of gum disease) or periodontitis itself. Don’t worry too much, yet, your dentist may be able to help clean out the bacteria that is causing the infection.
Are There Other Warning Signs?
Blood is definitely not the only sign of gum disease. In fact, if you’re experiencing tender or inflamed gums along with the bleeding, chances are you have an infection. With a more progressed periodontitis, you may notice pockets that have formed around your teeth (this is due to the bacteria). Or, your “permanent” teeth may feel as though they’ve become loose or are shifting. In some cases, patients experience a case of chronic bad breath because of the large amounts of bacteria hiding out in their mouths. Lastly, it can be hard to notice sometimes because it’s usually a gradual change but, if you notice your gum line has receded, it’s time to visit your dentist.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
There are several ways your dentist may go about treatment depending on the severity of your condition. For gingivitis or mild periodontitis, they may recommend a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. For more moderate to severe cases, your dentist may recommend different oral surgeries like gum grafting or tooth extractions to optimize your oral health and rid your mouth of the infection.
Do you suspect there may be a larger problem going on in your mouth? Give your dentist a call today!
