Are you worried about your bleeding gums? Well, you aren’t alone; thousands of people across the UK worry about their gums too. Bleeding gums are actually one of the biggest, most common issues when it comes to the health of our teeth. For most people, bleeding gums start for the same reason: poor oral hygiene, and though this can feel a little embarrassing, to begin with, understanding the cause of poor oral hygiene might make you feel a little better. So, let’s take a little look at why we develop bleeding gums and what your dentist West Bridgford can do about it.
Why do gums bleed?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for this question, and in some cases, bleeding gums could be down to a pre-existing medical condition or even a medication you’re taking, which is why when you first notice bleeding gums, you must contact not only your dentist West Bridgford but also your local GP.
However, in the vast majority of cases, bleeding gums occur because somewhere down the line, we’ve missed the mark when it comes to our oral hygiene; this is completely understandable as to why. How many of you have been fed the narrative through the media that one quick brush a day is enough? Think back to all those movies when people clean their teeth – just a little flimsy brush and certainly no flossing. Then, of course, we’re all living super busy bee lives; a quick brush is sometimes all we have time for. Whatever the reason is for your oral hygiene slipping, there is no shame involved; how you move forward is what’s important.
What to do if your gums bleed
Firstly – DO NOT PANIC! It’s highly unlikely that your teeth are about to fall out or that you will need lots of expensive healing procedures. You just need to get in contact with the dental practice of your choice and express your concerns. Any surgery worth their salt will get you booked in as soon as possible for a good checkup.
Treatments
Once again, treatment very much varies from case to case and will depend on how far in you are with your gum disease; if your gums are bleeding, you most likely have early-stage gum disease. The majority of dentists will book you in to see an in-house hygienist who will conduct a deep dive examination of your teeth and gums and then perform what those in the industry call a scale-and-polish. A scale-and-polish is the super deep cleaning of the gums and teeth, which is designed to remove tartar and plaque. It’s an amazing treatment, which for most people suffering from gum disease, will mean that they heal straight away and that their gums will return to a light pink, no-blood state.
The hygienist will then combine what they’ve learned about your teeth and gums with what they’ve learned from talking to you about your teeth and create a new long-term oral hygiene plan to keep your gums disease-free.