Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

If your gums are bleeding, visit our Rockville dental office to have your teeth examined. At Rockville Family Dental, we can examine you and determine whether your gums are bleeding due to simple irritation or if there is a greater health concern. You can schedule an appointment with our office by calling (301) 575-0941. In the meantime, here is what you need to know about your gums.

Symptoms of Gum Disease That You Should Watch For

At Rockville Family Dental, we encourage you to keep an eye on your gum health and call us if any of these signs persist for longer than a week:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen gums
• Red or irritated gums
• Your teeth appear longer

If you notice any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is call a Rockville dentist for an official diagnosis. Self-treating can lead to additional problems because you may not be addressing the actual cause of the problem. You can schedule an appointment with our office by calling 301-575-0941.

Causes of Gum Disease

• Poor oral hygiene
• Plaque and tartar buildup underneath the gum tissue
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Some medications

How to Manage and Treat Gum Disease

There are several ways to prevent gum disease and the symptoms that arise from it. If you have already experienced symptoms of bleeding or swollen gums, following these steps will still help you. However, it is wise to visit our office for an examination so that we can make customized treatment recommendations. In the meantime, you can manage your symptoms by doing the following:

• Brush and floss regularly. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and when you do, use a soft or electric toothbrush. Make sure that you are brushing food away from your gums and toward the center of your mouth. This is important to prevent plaque buildup at your gum line. Floss at least once per day, making sure to go all the way down along the sides of your teeth.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Alternatively, use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria. This is an easy way to kill some of the bacteria that you have not been able to brush away and you may notice that your gums feel instantly better after using it.
• Have your teeth cleaned twice a year. At Rockville Family Dental, we encourage you to visit our dental office twice per year so that we can clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar that were left behind from your daily brushing. This is your best defense against gum disease or even some of the subtle symptoms like bleeding and swelling.
• Stop smoking. More than bad for your lungs, using tobacco products is also harmful to your oral health. Not only can it lead to oral cancer, but it also increases your risk for gum disease.
• Schedule a deep cleaning. If you already have gum disease, we may recommend that you have a deep cleaning or root planing and scaling procedure. This allows the dentist to remove tartar and plaque that has built up underneath the gum tissue. The procedure is typically completed in two to four appointments, but it works incredibly well for removing the cause of the problem.

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Q&A

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush My Teeth?

When you brush your teeth, the bristles often go directly over or next to your gums. Gum tissue is sensitive and if you are using a hard toothbrush or brushing too aggressively you can scratch and irritate them. Our suggestion is to switch to an electric or battery-operated toothbrush because you can get an excellent clean without having to apply a lot of pressure. This should provide your gums with the relief needed.

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Very often, this is because you have not flossed in a long time. If it has been a while, your gums may be sensitive, irritated, or even bleed when you begin your flossing routine. This is perfectly acceptable. Once you begin flossing daily, your gums should no longer bleed. In the process, you will be removing the plaque from between your gums and your teeth, helping them to be in better health. At Rockville Family Dental, we can show you how to floss your teeth properly to help ensure that you are getting a really good clean. Call (301) 575-0941 and let us know if your gums continue to bleed after a week of daily flossing.

Why Are My Gums Swollen?

If your gums have started to swell, there are two main causes. The first is that you have irritated your gums or accidentally scratched them by eating something particularly sharp or abrasive. The second, and most likely, is that you are suffering from an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis typically makes your gums swell, become red, and irritated. This is a warning sign that should prompt you to schedule an appointment with our dental office. If you notice this early warning sign and seek treatment, a dental cleaning may be all that is necessary for your gums to return to good health. Otherwise, the symptoms could worsen.

Why Are My Gums Sensitive When I Eat or Brush My Teeth?

You could have gum disease. Even in the early stages, this condition can make your gums sensitive and irritated. Otherwise, you could have eaten something acidic or abrasive that is making them temporarily sensitive, but this should pass within a day or so.

If you have further questions about your gums, call 301-575-0941 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. We will be happy to answer your questions, examine you and provide you with treatment recommendations.

Definition of Periodontic Terminology

Calculus

Calculus, also known as tartar, refers to the hardened dental plaque that forms on teeth due to poor oral hygiene.

Gingival Flap Surgery

Gingival flap surgery is a procedure in which the periodontist temporarily separates the gums from the teeth to reach the root of the tooth and nearby bone.

Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases

A necrotizing periodontal disease involves the necrosis of gingival tissues and the formation of lesions in the mouth.

Periapical Abscess

A periapical abscess is an abscess that forms from inflammation with pus in the tissue surrounding the tooth.

Periodontal Ligament

A periodontal ligament is tissue that connects the tooth to the bone and is destroyed by advanced periodontal disease.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that results from poor oral hygiene, damaging soft tissue and destroying the bones that support the teeth.

Periodontium

The periodontium is the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, gums, periodontal ligament, and bone.

Root Scaling and Planing

Root scaling and planing is a non-surgical procedure that involves removing plaque and calculus from the pockets around the root, then smoothing the surfaces of the root to help everything heal.