Some degree of bleeding in the gums is actually quite common as we age. There are a number of reasons that someone may experience bleeding gums, the number one reason being gum disease. Other contributing factors that may promote bleeding include: poor oral hygiene, improper flossing (or not flossing at all!), a new flossing routine, overly aggressive brushing, or an underlying medical condition.
Proper and consistent oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing your teeth daily but doing so improperly can actually cause additional damage. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes with a soft bristled toothbrush using a circular motion, not back-and-forth. A toothbrush that is too stiff can scratch and damage the enamel and irritate the gum tissue, causing bleeding.
Flossing is important because it reaches places between teeth that your toothbrush cannot go. If you need help with your flossing technique, your dental hygienist can assist you to make sure you are effective.
What causes gum disease?
Oral hygiene is the best prevention for dental issues. When a patient does not practice good oral hygiene, they are at risk of developing gum disease. When we brush and floss, we are removing a day’s worth of plaque and bacteria. When the plaque is left to accumulate, it quickly calcifies into tartar, which we cannot remove on our own, it has to be scraped off by your dental hygienist. Tartar then begins to collect in gum pockets, causing irritation, inflammation, and redness in the gum tissue. The symptoms of gum disease become more severe as it progresses and can eventually be painful for patients to eat and speak.
Gingivitis, inflammation of the gum tissue, is the first stage of gum disease. Negative effects are still reversible at this stage. Next, early periodontitis can lead to loss of bone structure. Progressing on to moderate periodontitis, we may see further bone and gum damage; teeth may become mobile. Finally, advanced periodontitis. This is the most severe stage of gum disease and the damage it causes is often irreversible without extensive treatment.
How do I know when to involve my dentist?
Improving your oral hygiene routine will improve your oral health. It can revive your gum tissue from gingivitis and can actually reverse any damage that may have occurred but with more advanced stages of gum disease, you will likely need treatment by your dentist or a periodontist.
If you have just begun an improved oral care routine, it is normal to continue to see bleeding for a few days but if bleeding persists for more than two weeks, you will need to see your dentist for an evaluation to make sure there is no underlying issue. Similarly, if you are new to flossing, your gum tissue will likely bleed each time but will stop with continued efforts.
If your dentist is unable to determine the cause of your bleeding gum tissue, you may be advised to visit your primary doctor to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to bleeding gums.