See your family dentist if your bleeding gums cause your toothbrush bristles to turn red.
Simply put, your gums are bleeding. And bleeding gums are an indicator of periodontal gum disease. Actually, periodontal gum disease is pretty common. Symptoms can be as minor as inflamed gums. But in more severe cases soft tissue and bone in the mouth is damaged – a very serious scenario, given that it’s the tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Did you know that more people lose their teeth because of periodontal gum disease than because of tooth decay?
Initially, it’s the plaque that’s the culprit. If you don’t do a good job of getting the plaque off the teeth at the gum line, then your gums will become inflamed. Eventually, if plaque sticks around on your teeth long enough it will turn into a hardened substance known as tartar. If you have lots of tartar on your teeth then it’s more likely that your gums will bleed. And, of course, if not addressed that can lead to more advanced gum disease.
But that doesn’t have to happen with proper diagnosis and treatment. Speaking as a family dentist I know that gum disease can be diagnosed very quickly and if caught early can be effectively treated. A vital part of maintaining dental health is to visit your family dentist at least every six months for a thorough cleaning and plaque removal.
Of course, it goes without saying that brushing twice a day (with fluoride toothpaste) is a necessary step, along with daily flossing (as much as some of us might hate to do it). And while you’re doing this, be on the lookout for other signs of gum disease, which may include constant bad breath, painful chewing, sensitive teeth or receding gums.
No matter how minor or serious your symptoms, never hesitate to address your concerns with your family dentist.
And if you’re looking for a family dentist in the Columbus or Reynoldsburg area, feel free to give us a call and schedule an appointment. We’d love to meet you and take care of all your dental care needs!