After brushing and flossing your teeth you may find that your gums bleed. You may decide to ignore it for a while but really you shouldn’t. Bleeding from your gums is not something to ignore or put off for too long. Frequently it is a sign of gum disease which needs treatment by your dentist.
You oral health is important and there are various causes of why your gums may bleed:
1. A lack of oral hygiene is the most common reason for red, swollen or gums that bleed. This means that the routine of brushing and flossing twice a day is not being followed. Perhaps you have cut down or stopped flossing your teeth or you have decided to only brush your teeth every other day. Unfortunately, not following a regular routine permits tartar and plaque to build up on your teeth and these will irritate your gums. The build up of plaque and tartar will happen quickly and it often becomes noticeable within days.
Solution: Get back to the recommended routine of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. Consider using an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing and flossing to help reduce any infection.
If after a few days, your gums continue to bleed, make an appointment with your dentist for a professional cleaning. Your dentist will be able to clean away that stubborn plaque and tartar.
2. Too much sugar or acidic food in your diet – we all know that eating too many sweets, cookies, sodas and sugary food in general is bad for us. Cut down on all of these and if possible avoid them. It will certainly help control your weight too and reduce the chance of developing other serious medical conditions.
Solution: Stick to vegetables, fruits and moderate intakes of dairy products. The former are high in vitamin C which will help to keep your mouth in better shape. Calcium in dairy products is also essential for keeping your teeth in tip-top condition.
3. Women that are pregnant have about a 50% chance of getting Gingivitis during pregnancy which increases the likelihood of gum disease. In fact the hormones which are produced in the body of a pregnant woman makes them much more prone to developing gum disease, even if they follow a good routine for oral hygiene.
Solution: Always drink plenty of water and see your dentist regularly. Pregnant women should always have regular checkups and professional cleanings.
4. Smoking – many of the chemicals found in cigarettes will weaken your gum tissues which in turn can lead to bleeding. Smoking also discolors your teeth and can cause lung cancer and other health problems. When your gums are exposed to harmful chemicals from smoking, they can swell, making it much easier for bacteria to infect them.
Solution: Giving up smoking is the only way to eliminate the risk. And of course the risk of developing many serious medical conditions.
If you would like to discuss your oral hygiene or think you have a problem with gum disease then please call Dr. Kelli Slate at 214 821-8639 to make an appointment.
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