Do your gums bleed when you brush and floss? Sometimes, patients can brush their teeth and gums too aggressively. Removable dentures can also irritate the gum tissue. More often than not, gingivitis is the main cause of bleeding gums. Patients who may not floss or brush their teeth enough can experience bleeding gums because of gingivitis.
Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is a common yet reversible problem. However, patients need to visit the dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and examinations. Patients who do not treat their bleeding gums can develop gum disease. Treat bleeding gums in our Chapel Hill, NC dental office to prevent gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Brushing and flossing help maintain healthy teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria feed on food debris left in the mouth. As the bacteria break down sugars and starches, they can form plaque, or a sticky bacterial film, on the gums. Plaque irritates and inflames the gum tissue and leads to gingivitis. However, gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene and even professional care.
We can create a custom treatment plan to renew your gums and encourage healthy gum tissue growth. However, it is harder to treat periodontitis or gum disease. As gum inflammation progresses into gum disease, patients will experience gum recession and even bone loss. We recommend that patients visit our office before symptoms like bleeding gums progress and worsen. Patients with moderate to severe gum disease may require oral surgery to remove infected gum tissue and stimulate regrowth.
Treat Bleeding Gums
Regular dental care is the best way to prevent gum disease and treat gum inflammation. Patients should visit the dentist biannually or every six months. At regular appointments, we offer dental cleanings and exams so we can determine if patients require further treatment.
Scaling and root planing are deep cleaning treatments that our dental hygienists offer to remove plaque and tartar from the mouth. Over time, plaque builds up and hardens to form tartar. It is often difficult for patients to remove tartar on their own. Our hygienists use special dental tools to remove plaque and tartar. Scaling treatment removes buildup on and beneath the gums. For root planing treatment, our hygienists smooth down the tooth roots to help them reattach to the gums. Scaling and root planing treatments minimize inflammation and reverse the effects of gingivitis.
Do you have bleeding gums? Has it been a while since your last dental appointment? Call Chapel Hill for high-quality, comfortable dental care today at 919.736.6175. You may also request a dental consultation with Dr. Jim Furgurson on our website. Please let him know if you have any questions at your next consultation and he will be happy to answer them.