Why Are My Gums Bleeding
If your gums are bleeding, visit our Los Angeles dentist office to have your teeth examined. At Elliott.N.Abrams D.D.S we can examine you and determine whether they are bleeding due to simple irritation or if there is a greater health concern. You can schedule an appointment with our office by calling 213-353-4723. In the meantime, here is what you need to know about your gums.
Symptoms of Gum Disease that You Should Watch For
Monitor your gum health and contact us if any of these signs last more than a week:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Red or irritated gums
- Your teeth appear longer
If you notice any symptoms, contact us for a proper diagnosis. Self-treating can cause further issues if the underlying problem isn't correctly addressed.
Causes of Gum Disease
- Poor oral hygiene
- Plaque and tartar buildup underneath the gum tissue
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Some medications
How to Manage and Treat Gum Disease
Follow these steps:
- Brush least twice a day and floss daily
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria
- Visit our office twice a year for professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, crucial for preventing gum disease and addressing early symptoms like bleeding and swelling.
- Stop smoking. More than bad for your lungs, using tobacco products is also bad for your oral health. Not only can it lead to oral cancer but it also increases your risk for gum disease.
- If you already have gum disease we may recommend that you have a deep cleaning or root planing and scaling procedure. This allows the dentist to remove tartar and plaque that has built up underneath the gum tissue.
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Q&A
When you brush your teeth, the bristles will often go immediately over or next to your gums. Gum tissue is sensitive and if you are using a hard toothbrush or brushing too aggressively you can scratch and irritate them. Our suggestion is to switch to an electric or battery operated toothbrush because you can get an excellent clean without having to apply a lot of pressure. This should provide your gums with needed relief.
Very often, this is because you have not flossed in a long time. If it has been awhile, your gums may be sensitive, irritated or even bleed when you begin your flossing routine. This is perfectly acceptable. Once you begin flossing daily, your gums should no longer bleed. In the process you will be removing the plaque from in between your gums and your teeth, helping them to be in better health. At Elliott.N.Abrams D.D.S we can show you how to floss your teeth properly to help ensure that you are getting a really good clean.
If your gums have started to swell, there are two main causes for it. The first is that you have irritated your gums or accidentally scratched them by eating something that is particularly sharp or abrasive. The second, and most likely, is that you are suffering from an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis typically makes your gums swell, become red and irritated. This is a warning sign that should lead you to schedule an appointment with our dental office. If you notice this early warning sign and seek treatment, a dental cleaning may be all that is necessary to treat the condition so that your gums can return to good health. Otherwise, the symptoms could become progressively worse.
You could have gum disease. Even in the early stages, this condition can make your gums sensitive and irritated. Otherwise, you could have eaten something acidic or abrasive that is making them temporarily sensitive but this should pass within a day or so.
