Gum disease can take a toll on your health. Along with oral health issues, gum diseases can have lasting effects on the body. This makes it crucial to seek professional evaluation and treatment when noticing bleeding gums. In many cases, bleeding gums are often an early warning sign of gum disease.
Treatment for gum disease is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. First, our team performs an in-depth exam to determine the cause of your symptoms. Next, we offer a range of treatments to improve your oral health. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid complications. Call us at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist.
Diseases that cause gums to bleed
Most forms of gum disease are caused by plaque. This sticky substance traps food and bacteria against the gum line. Over time, bacteria attack the gums, triggering inflammation and sensitivity. Without treatment, the problem can worsen. The gums may bleed while eating, brushing, or flossing. Gum problems have also been linked to heart disease and stroke.
Often, smoking and poor oral hygiene are to blame for gum disease. But some patients may be prone to gum disease even if they brush and floss daily. Pregnant women are at a high risk of gum disease, and so are people with diabetes. Patients who wear dentures are more likely to develop gum disease too.
In rare cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of a severe condition like leukemia. Patients who notice bleeding gums should seek dental care right away. Our team can determine the source of the problem. If further tests are required, we help patients make the necessary arrangements.
“Often, smoking and poor oral hygiene are to blame for gum disease.”
Oral bleeding due to injury
Sometimes, patients develop bleeding gums after an accident or injury. Patients might also experience gum bleeding after they eat sharp or hard foods. A qualified dentist should investigate any oral bleeding.
Patients should seek care right away after a blow to the face or head. Some accidents may seem minor, but they can cause significant dental damage. A dentist can provide an exam and X-ray. During this checkup, the dentist looks for problems below the gumline. If the patient has any signs of a gum injury, the dentist provides care.
“Patients should seek care right away after a blow to the face or head.”
Other causes of oral bleeding
Bleeding gums can develop due to lifestyle factors like poor diet. In addition, nutritional deficiencies like scurvy sometimes trigger bleeding disorders. Without treatment, these deficiencies can put the patient's life at risk.
Smoking is a known risk factor for gingivitis and oral cancer. Consequently, patients who use nicotine, including e-cigarettes or chewing tobacco, are at risk for gum problems. Nicotine damages gum tissue and triggers inflammation. A dentist can provide more information about smoking cessation programs.
Sometimes, pregnancy triggers unexplained dental problems. For example, pregnant patients may develop bleeding gums, even if they have no other risk factors for gum disease. Patients who develop bleeding gums while pregnant should seek guidance right away. A dentist can provide treatment and keep the problem from worsening.
“Smoking is a known risk factor for gingivitis and oral cancer.”
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Proper oral hygiene reduces the risk of gum disease. Patients can protect their gums by:
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing twice daily
- Avoiding sugary, sticky foods
- Rinsing the mouth after each meal
- Sipping plain water throughout the day
Regular dental care helps, as well. Patients should schedule checkups and cleanings at least twice a year. During each biannual cleaning, the dental team removes plaque and tartar. These sticky substances can trap bacteria at the gumline. As a result, patients who skip dental cleanings may develop plaque buildup. This condition increases the patient's lifetime risk of gum disease.
In some cases, patients may need further care for their bleeding gums. Many in-office dental procedures eliminate infection and restore healthy gum tissue. Our dental team can help patients choose the right procedure.
“Patients who skip dental cleanings may develop plaque buildup.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What happens after my office visit for gum bleeding?
Q. What should I do if I experience bleeding gums after an injury?
Q. What are some other causes of oral bleeding?
Q. How are bleeding gums treated?
People also ask
Q. Why would someone get gum reshaping?
Q. What is dental restoration?
Post-visit care
Good dental hygiene can reduce gum bleeding. During each office visit, our team demonstrates brushing and flossing techniques. We can also provide advice on mouse washes and rises, which may reduce bleeding and gum disease. Individual treatment plans may vary. Our team will let each patient know how to care for their gums, even once they return home.
“Good dental hygiene can reduce gum bleeding.”
Frequently asked questions
Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis. This common condition causes inflammation and tenderness along the gumline. Patients with gingivitis need prompt treatment. Untreated gingivitis may put patients at risk for tooth or jawbone loss.
Gum bleeding is often a sign of infection or poor oral hygiene. Sometimes, however, bleeding gums can be a symptom of leukemia. Patients with bleeding gums should always seek an immediate evaluation. A dentist can determine the cause of the patient's symptoms and provide treatment.
People who smoke are at high risk for gum disease, tooth loss, and other dental problems. Many smokers also develop bleeding gums. Contrary to popular belief, e-cigarettes are not a safer option. E-cigs can also damage the teeth and gums. Patients who smoke may want to consider a smoking cessation program.
Many people develop bleeding gums during pregnancy. These symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause serious health problems. Regardless, it is important to seek treatment right away. A dentist can stop the bleeding and treat any underlying gum disorders.
The dentist may begin with a thorough cleaning. First, they remove any plaque or tartar. Next, they provide an antiseptic rinse. The dentist may also provide take-home products to help the patient's gums heal. Sometimes, the patient may need a scaling and planing procedure or other in-office treatments. Our dental team can provide more information about these procedures.
Periodontic terminology
Calculus, also known as tartar, refers to the hardened dental plaque that forms on teeth due to a lack of proper oral hygiene.
Gingival flap surgery is a procedure in which the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth temporarily to reach the root of the tooth and nearby bone.
A necrotizing periodontal disease is a disease that involves the necrosis of gingival tissues and lesions forming in the mouth.
A periapical abscess is an abscess that forms from inflammation containing pus in the tissue surrounding the tooth.
A periodontal ligament is a tissue that connects the tooth to the bone and is destroyed by advanced periodontal disease.
Periodontitis is a lethal gum infection that results from poor oral hygiene, damaging soft tissue and destroying the bones that support the teeth.
Call us today
If you notice bleeding gums, notify your dentist immediately. Bleeding can be a sign of gum disease. Without treatment, your symptoms may worsen. Receding gums can lead to tooth loss and other dental problems.
Do not let gum disease destroy your oral health. Let Oak Tree Dental in Poway provide the care you need. Call us at 858-748-2101 to schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.