Your Appleton Dentist Explains Why Your Gums May Bleed

Imagine every time you washed your hands, your palms began bleeding. You would be concerned, right? The same concept applies to your smile. When it comes time to brush and floss your teeth, you shouldn’t see blood. If you notice a bloody tint on your toothbrush or taste the irony flavor of blood in your mouth, that generally indicates that there’s a bigger issue concerning your oral health. Your Appleton dentist at Dental Expressions is here to explain why your gums may be bleeding and what our office can do to help restore your good oral health.

Plaque: The Underlying Culprit of Gingivitis

That sticky film that sits on the surface of your teeth is known as plaque. Anytime you eat, drink, or smoke anything (any substance that enters your mouth), there are remains that linger in your mouth. The leftover debris and bacteria will stick to your teeth—this is what we know as plaque. When not properly removed, it can seep beneath your gum line, harden and turn into tartar, and deteriorate your gums. This is also known as the beginning of gum disease. Let’s look at the changes your gums undergo when developing gum disease.

Healthy Gums

Firm, pink gums should not bleed when you take care of your mouth at home. They also shouldn’t bleed when either of our Lincoln dentists cleans them.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is likely to present when you notice red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed or flossed at home. There is a potential loss of gum tissue with gingivitis, but in most cases, your jawbone still stays healthy.

Early Periodontal Disease

Your red, swollen gums will continue to bleed every time you brush and floss. Your gums will start to form pockets between teeth and start receding from your teeth. A film of bacteria will sit on top of your teeth and will eat away at your jawbone density. This makes it possible for teeth to become loose and potentially fall out.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

You will experience heavy bleeding when you try to brush and floss your teeth. You will notice severe gum recession and your teeth will feel extremely loose. Significant deconstruction of your jawbone will occur and cause shifts in your smile from loose teeth.

Dental Expressions Restores and Maintains Healthy Gums

Healthy gums hold your teeth in place and keep your face youthful. They’re essential to maintaining good oral health and overall health, protecting your body from substances from directly entering your bloodstream. That’s why our office offers effective non-surgical periodontal therapy for patients that have gum disease in Appleton at any stage. We will perform scaling and root planning to revitalize your gums. Not sure what that exactly means? Let’s take a closer look.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling is an invasive deep cleaning that is focused along and below the gum line. Root planing is a procedure that refines the tooth root, allowing the soft tissues to reattach easily. This helps to prevent bacteria from finding hiding places in the future. Both therapeutic options are performed together to restore your oral health.

Are your gums bleeding?

If your gums are sensitive, inflamed, or bleeding during your dental routine, you need to visit our office for assistance. There are many more health concerns you’re putting yourself at risk for developing if you ignore the early symptoms of gum disease. Let us help you restore your dental health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.