Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are at risk for, or already have, gum disease. However, persistent gum bleeding may be due to serious medical conditions such as leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders.It is one of the most common untreated infections in the gums. It does not necessarily have pain associated with it to start with – therefore it can be ignored. An unpleasant smell may start to appear, followed by bleeding and redness from the gums. Often people don’t realise this is something that needs treating. Ultimately however, problems in your mouth (such as bacteria) use your immune systems resources on a regular basis so the rest of your general health will suffer. Not to mention that if bleeding gums (gingivitis) is left untreated, it will lead to recession of the gums, periodontitis, and in extreme cases – heart disease!

How to treat Bleeding gums:

Like many conditions, early intervention to treat gum diseases can ensure the longevity of your teeth. If you have swollen or bleeding gums or your teeth feel loose, see your dentist or oral health professional.

The dentist or oral health professional will examine your gums with a probe to measure the spaces between the tooth and gum. This will determine the health of your gums and supporting structures. If necessary, the dentist or oral health professional will instruct you in tooth cleaning techniques or may clean your teeth professionally to remove any plaque and calculus (hardened plaque).

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is early gum disease and occurs when dental plaque builds up on teeth, particularly where the gum joins the tooth. The signs of gingivitis are bleeding, redness and swelling of the gum.

Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that may occur if gingivitis is not treated. The gum margin, – the part of the gum that seals to the tooth, – is weakened and spaces form between the tooth and the gum. These spaces are called ‘periodontal pockets.’ Bacteria and their products become trapped in these pockets causing further inflammation (redness and swelling).

The structures affected by periodontitis include the covering of the tooth root (cementum), the bone and the fibres that connect the cementum to the bone (periodontal ligament). As the disease progresses and bone is lost, larger spaces begin to form between the tooth and the gum. Signs of periodontitis include bleeding, swelling and receding gums together with bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth and loose teeth.

Gingivitis is caused by plaque forming at the base of the visible tooth, which in turn is caused by food debri and bacteria growing and not being cleaned away through effective brushing and flossing. Once this hardens (calculus) it needs to be removed – and this can only be achieved by a professional clean and not just through brushing at home. However, if you have recently had a professional clean and the gums have not yet settled completely, you can use a mouthwash called closys to help fight the gingivitis. you can find closys in our online shop.