Concerned about the blood?
If blood regularly shows up on your toothbrush or dental floss, it requires some serious concern. Let’s look at some instances that can cause gums to bleed and how you can put a stop to it.
Reasons Why Gums Bleed
You might have gingivitis. It’s a mild form of swelling, tenderness or inflamed gums. It’s totally treatable and reversible if addressed quickly enough. In most cases gingivitis is painless and that’s the reason why it is mostly ignored. If left to progress it can lead to periodontal disease. Gum tissue is destroyed and can lead to loss of teeth. Good oral hygiene practices and dental visits can keep gingivitis at bay.
You are a smoker. Chronic smokers can suffer from bleeding gums. Smoking can lead to periodontal disease as cigarette toxins can irritate the gums and teeth. Oral hygiene routine may not be enough. Likewise, you can compromise your health, lower you immune response to infection with decrease oxygen supply to your gums. Better to quit as early as you can.
You suffer from a poor diet. Having a balanced diet is an excellent defense and maintains a healthy body and mouth. Look over your present diet and see if it lacks important vitamins and minerals from their proper food sources. Your gums need their nutrition to maintain their natural consistency, shape and color.
You are undergoing hormonal changes. Women experience hormonal changes brought on by menstrual cycles and pregnancies which can lead to sensitive, bleeding gums. It can lead to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Must ask your dentist for advice on how to adapt your oral health routine.
You are taking certain medications. Be aware that many drugs can affect mouth health, like increasing the risk for bleeding gums. Anticonvulsants can cause gum swelling, high blood pressure meds and immuno- suppressants can cause gum inflammation and bleeding, while antihistamines, sedatives, antidepressants can cause dry mouth, a trigger for gum problems. Your dentist will still encourage you to keep up with good oral hygiene and keep hydrated. Ask your doctor about meds that do not impact much on your gums.
You have poor hygiene practices. This can’t be more emphasized. Regular and proper brushing and flossing are the cornerstone of good oral health.
Treating Bleeding Gums in Bellingham
If you experience that your gums bleed consistently, it’s about time you pay your Bellingham dentist a visit. The condition may be cause for concern but your apt response can help you reverse the effects in time.