When gums bleed during brushing or flossing, many people assume they have brushed too hard or that the bleeding is normal. However, bleeding gums is not normal, and it could be a symptom of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects the structures around the teeth, including the gums, with gingivitis being the most common form of the disease.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Red, swollen, bleeding gums is just one symptom of gum disease, and others include the following:
- receding gums around teeth,
- bad breath,
- bad taste in the mouth,
- pus around the gums and teeth, and
- loose teeth.
Statistics show nearly half of adults over 30 experience bleeding gums, but it shouldn’t be ignored. You should schedule an appointment with a dentist in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, to have your teeth and gums examined and treated appropriately.
Gum Disease Treatments
The first thing your dentist will recommend to treat periodontal disease is good oral hygiene habits. It is important to remove plaque, which causes gum disease, daily, and your dentist will recommend that you brush at least twice a day. In addition, if you are a smoker, they will recommend quitting and give you advice about other things you can do to reduce plaque.
When your teeth are examined, a cleaning may be recommended to help remove tartar and other bacteria from your teeth. Tartar is calcified plaque, and you’ll need Egg Harbor Township dentists to remove it by scaling your teeth. This mechanical cleaning involves very little to no pain, although some patients may require a mild pain reliever after it has been done.
After treatments, a dentist will re-evaluate your teeth in about three to four weeks to check the progress of the gum disease. Then he or she may recommend regular checkups and cleanings to keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime.
