A common misconception, when it comes to our gums, is that it’s normal for them to bleed. We see a lot of new patients in our office, and one of the first questions we ask is if their gums bleed when they brush or floss? Many patients notice that their gums bleed and always have. Bleeding gums are indeed common, but it’s also indicative of an underlying problem: gingivitis or periodontal disease. Your gums, when they are healthy, should not bleed when you brush or floss.
So how can you make sure your gums are healthy and free of disease?
Start with home care. By far, the most powerful way to keep your gums healthy is to take care of them every day. If they’ve been neglected, your gums will be sore after the first few brushings, but in time they’ll adapt.
Be sure to brush twice daily (morning and night), and be thorough but not overly aggressive. Electric tooth brushes are far more effective than manual brushes, so if you can, use an electric tooth brush. Be sure to floss once a day with either normal dental floss or Soft Picks. Finally, be sure to use a mouth wash like Crest Pro Health or Listerine. They’re great for your breath and for killing the bacteria which causes gum disease.
If you’re unsure about any aspects of your home care, our hygienists will be happy to help you understand more about any of the above.
For some patients, home care alone may not remedy the problem, and a treatment called Active Therapy may be necessary.
Active Therapy is used to treat gingivitis and periodontal disease. It’s designed to promote rapid healing of the gums and tooth-supporting tissue. By removing the built-up plaque and tartar around the teeth and under the gums, your body is able to heal and stop the disease.
During Active Therapy, local anesthetic is given to allow the treatment to be comfortable, and is usually performed over two appointments. Typically we treat half the mouth at a time. Patients may experience minor soreness for 2-3 days after the treatment, but the pain is easily managed with Tylenol or Advil. A follow-up appointment, approximately 4 weeks after Active Therapy, is the final step to ensure success. At that appointment, your whole mouth will be reassessed and specific oral hygiene instructions will be given for areas that need more healing. Additional build up which was not reached or that recurred, will be removed without the need of local anesthetic.
Active Therapy will go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy and looking great. It will help strengthen your gums and keep your teeth healthy over the long run. Not only will your teeth look and feel great, but keeping your gums in great condition will allow your teeth to remain stable, and allow you to eat all of the foods you love. Your gums will no longer be sore or bleed when you brush or floss. You’ll be able you keep your smile looking great, and you won’t have to worry about your teeth looking “long” or developing space between them. You’ll also improve your overall health, and prevent the bacteria in your gums from spreading to the rest of your body.
If your gums are bleeding when you brush and great home care isn’t improving your condition,
click here or call Forman Dental at (905) 303-9355.
