How Do You Treat Bleeding Gums?

Blond middle aged woman covering her mouth. Caption talks about gum disease.Living with bleeding gums isn’t pleasant. It’s something that you need to address to prevent the bleeding and possible infection from becoming severe.

Bleeding gums are almost always a sign of gingivitis, which is an infection and inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth. In gingivitis, bacteria attack the lining of the gums and can, over time, break the surface layer or enamel. When you brush over an infected region, you disturb the exposed blood vessels, causing them to bleed.

If you have bleeding gums, what should you do to treat them?

Brush Regularly

Even though brushing may seem to cause bleeding, regular brushing is actually essential for keeping gum disease at bay. Brushing removes the plaque, the bacterial byproducts, which cause damage to the sensitive gum lining in the first place. We recommend that you use a soft-bristled brush. The soft bristles will remove the harmful plaque and bacteria while protecting the integrity of the gum tissue.

Always use fluoride-containing toothpaste. Research shows that fluoride toothpaste is the most effective for removing plaque and bacteria, keeping your mouth healthy over the long term.

Floss Regularly

The bacteria that cause gum disease can find refuge in the gaps between your teeth. As it consumes food debris in your mouth, it releases nasty byproducts that cause inflammation of the gum between teeth.

Flossing removes the bacteria you can’t reach by brushing alone. Flossing is simple, but an important step in your home care routine. Just take an 18-inch piece of floss and then grab it with your thumb and pointer finger two inches apart and insert it into a gap between your teeth. Then use a sawing motion to dislodge bacteria and plaque between the teeth, leaving them fresh and clean. Use a different section of floss for each space.

Use Mouthwash

Antibacterial mouthwash rinses your mouth and helps to eliminate all of the bacteria you dislodge by brushing and flossing, leaving it fresh and clean.

Antibacterial mouthwashes contain special agents which kill bacteria. Mouthwash, therefore, can help if you have an excess of bacteria in your mouth that is leading not only to gum disease but other problems, like bad breath.

Make Regular Appointments To Come In For Cleanings & Check-ups.

You can’t always treat gum disease at home by improving your oral hygiene habits. Sometimes, the disease progresses beyond the initial stage into more severe periodontal disease where infection gets below the gumline.

We use several techniques to treat periodontal disease:

  • Laser therapy. Laser therapy is where the dentist shines a laser on the gums to kill the bacteria. You do not need an anesthetic for laser therapy.
  • Scaling. With scaling, the dentist uses tools to remove tartar and plaque from teeth below the gum line, proving an opportunity for the gum to heal.
  • Root planing. Root planing is another technique that helps to resolve gum disease that has migrated below the gum line.

With the help of Dental Partners of Boston, you can treat your bleeding gums and get your oral health back on track. If you notice bleeding when you brush, schedule an appointment with us today!

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