WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOUR GUMS ARE BLEEDING?

When it comes to dental health, most people think about the importance of protecting your teeth through brushing and flossing. Very few people think about the role that your gums play in both your dental and overall health. So, when bleeding gums occur, it can certainly cause a bit of a scare.

So, what does it mean if your gums are bleeding? Well, the purpose of this article is to provide you with a few potential reasons as well as some things to do to prevent this issue from occurring. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities for what bleeding gums could mean.

#1 – Gum Disease

While bleeding gums certainly does not immediately mean that you have gum disease, this is a major possibility. The most common, and least serious, form of gum disease is gingivitis. This is something that over three quarters of adults experience in their lifetime and can generally be treated by your dentist or an oral health surgeon.

If gingivitis is left untreated, however, it could lead to a more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis. With periodontitis, a pocket is formed around the inner layer of the gum as the bone pulls away from your teeth. This can then cause tooth loss due to the fact that your teeth are no longer anchored in the same way that they were previously.

If you suspect that gum disease may be the culprit, you should immediately make an appointment with your dentist to avoid further issues. They will be able to guide you through the healing process, educate you on why the issue may have occurred, and prescribe you medication to prevent the disease from reoccurring.

#2 – Hormonal Changes

Interestingly enough, hormonal changes in females during menstruation and pregnancy can actually cause your gums to bleed. While this is usually just a natural occurrence that is not cause for alarm, you should still be sure to check in with your dentist to ensure that you do not have gum disease.

#3 – Bad Oral Hygiene

One of the most common reasons for bleeding gums is due to poor oral hygiene. This could mean that you are brushing too hard, forgetting to floss, or even just not brushing. As you probably know, your gums are a soft tissue. So, if you do brush and floss regularly, brushing too hard is probably the culprit.

If you do not brush and floss regularly, then you can expect bleeding gums to happen far more often than those who do. In this instance, developing a habit for brushing your teeth two times a day and flossing at least once a day should be your main priority.

The Final Word

If you have been experiencing bleeding gums, be sure that you set up an appointment with Dr .William A. O’Donnell, a local dentist in Centreville VA to ensure that gum disease is not the culprit. Even if it is not gum disease, we will be able to help educate you about how to prevent the issue in the future.