Bleeding gums can indicate poor oral hygiene or the wrong brushing technique. If it happens on rare occasions, there is no reason to worry. However, if it happens every so often, it reveals a more serious condition. Bleeding and swollen gums are among the first signs of gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis and should be taken seriously.
As many as 7 out of 10 Canadians will experience some form of gum disease at some point in their lives. To keep this from happening, you need to stay on top of your oral health and consult a dentist when symptoms, like bleeding gums, appear.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease and is the primary reason for irritation, redness, swelling, and in later stages, bleeding of the gums.
While it is not severe, it still warrants a visit to the dentist, treatment, and changes in your oral hygiene practices. If left untreated, it could lead to the more serious periodontal disease.
Signs of Gingivitis
Watch out for the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums (when brushing or flossing)
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Tenderness
- Receding gumline
- Dark red gums (healthy gums are pink)
- Halitosis
Stages of Gingivitis
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. This encourages the formation of biofilms or plaque build-up on teeth, which can develop into gum disease following these stages:
- Plaque Formation – Plaque is the viscous fluid that forms on teeth. It is primarily made of bacteria that accumulate due to the sugars and starches left in the mouth.
- Tartar Build-Up – Plaque that remains on teeth can harden under the gum line and turn into tartar. Tartar functions as a shield that protects and attracts more bacteria. Because it’s harder than plaque, it’s also more difficult to remove. Only professional dental cleaning can eliminate it completely.
- Inflamed Gums – The longer plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more havoc they cause, leading to the irritation and swelling of the gingiva (the gum tissue) around the base of the teeth. Left unchecked, inflammation will progress and can result in tooth decay.
Why You Should Seek Treatment for Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums should be dealt with as soon as possible. Various pieces of research suggest that gum diseases can impact your overall health. Below are some of the problems
- Tooth Loss
As gingivitis progresses, it can lead to tooth loss in most adults. Bacteria can enter “pockets” in the gums surrounding the teeth, damaging the soft tissue and bone that provides support. As the immune system attempts to eliminate bacteria, it causes inflammation, which can become chronic if untreated.
- Blood Sugar and Diabetes
People with diabetes are likely to suffer from gum disease. To make matters worse, high levels of blood sugar make it difficult to control gum disease, which, in turn, aggravates diabetes symptoms.
Patients with diabetes are advised to follow good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing. Also, ask your dentist of recommendations on the best mouthwash for gingivitis to lower risks.
- Heart Problems
Those with gum disease are up to 3 times more likely to develop cardiovascular issues, like a stroke or a heart attack. Gingivitis triggers the body’s immune response (the cause of inflammation), which, if prolonged, can aggravate inflammation-related diseases, like heart issues. Additionally, some doctors posit that bacteria build-up in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart.
- Pregnancy Risks
Women who are pregnant and have gum diseases are likely to go into labour prematurely and deliver a baby with low birth weight. Additionally, the heart is not the only organ that can be affected by oral bacteria. If these cross into the bloodstream, they can also find their way to the fetus.
- Cancer
While more studies need to be conducted to solidify findings, experts have found strong evidence that links periodontal diseases to certain cancers. A 28-year study reported that individuals who’ve had periodontal disease had an increased risk of esophageal cancer (by 43%) and gastric cancer (by 52%),
How to Get Rid of Gingivitis
If you want to know how to reverse gingivitis, the simplest and most effective way is to consult your dentist. However, you have to complement this with a few lifestyle changes to prevent plaque and tartar buildup that contribute to the progression of the disease.
Here are some things that you can do:
- Maintain good oral hygiene habits. Cleaning your teeth regularly removes bacteria before it can multiply and harm your teeth. An individual who practices good dental hygiene rarely (if at all) experiences bleeding gums. This is because the top reason for bleeding gums is bacteria build up. Brushing twice a day and replacing toothbrush every three months are good habits to follow.
- Avoid starchy and sugary food. Bacteria thrive on sugar and accumulate faster if the sugar particles sit on your teeth for too long. Starchy and sugary foods are the favorite of bacteria that live in the mouth causing tooth decay and gum diseases.
- Avoid soda. In addition to containing high levels of sugar, soft drinks are also highly acidic. Each sip is equivalent to 20 minutes of acid and germs to attack the teeth and gums. Excessive soda intake may also mean you’re drinking less water, drying your mouth and increasing the risk of gum disease.
- Quit smoking. Smoking impairs your immunity, disrupts the normal function of gum tissue cells, and encourages plaque build-up — the ideal trifecta for gum disease progression. Smokers have noticeably dark gums and develop tartar on teeth due to nicotine build up. Smoking is considered one of the biggest reason for gum diseases in the United States.
- Exercise. Regular exercise builds up your immune system, giving your body a fighting chance to eliminate bacteria before it can wreak havoc on your teeth — or your entire body for that matter. Research has found a significant relationship between obesity and gum diseases. It is recommended to get involved in healthy lifestyle and physical activities to avoid obesity-related conditions.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can tell you why your gums are bleeding and spot problems before they worsen. Early detection of periodontal diseases is crucial in curing gum problems. Also, if your bleeding gums have progressed to periodontal disease, they can treat it and advise you on how to manage your condition.
These lifestyle changes are vital — especially at the first hint of bleeding gums. These can halt the progression of gum disease in its tracks and any other complications along with it. However, if you do have gum disease, it can easily be treated and managed with periodontics.
One of the treatments to control bleeding gums, gingivitis, mild to moderate periodontitis, and other oral infections is the Oravital Periodontal rinse. It is a non-invasive treatment that reduces the bacteria in the mouth safely and quickly. Contact your dentist to inquire about this and other treatments that target periodontal health.
Seeing blood in the sink when you brush your teeth should not be taken lightly. Otherwise, you will be at a greater risk of developing serious health problems that damage more than just your teeth and gums.