Gum disease isn’t just a minor problem that can go away on its own. It’s actually the leading cause of tooth loss in most people, as well as a symptom of more serious diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Although many people are willing to head straight over to the dentist’s office when cavities strike, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) states that only approximately three percent of people actually take action when something goes wrong with their gums. Knowing all about your gums and recognizing the first signs of disease can help you prevent serious problems in the future and save you from undergoing expensive treatments.
Should My Gums Be Bleeding?
There were probably times when drips of blood landed on your toothbrush or even times when your mouth turned into the red sea while brushing. Although a little bleeding might seem like a sign that you just brushed way too hard, it can actually be a sign of more serious gum diseases like gingivitis. Rather than wait for your gums to stop bleeding on their own, it’s better to consult your dentist and go for an oral health check-up right away. Prevention is better than cure, after all.
Can I Skip Flossing For One Or Two Days?
Dentists and teachers alike have always reminded us of the importance of regular flossing. Though brushing is essential to proper dental health, it can’t always prevent the onset of gum disease or get rid of bacteria stuffed between our teeth. Going to straight to bed instead of flossing after brushing isn’t always as harmless as you might think as bacteria and harmful acids left behind in hard-to-reach spots and crevices near our gums and between teeth don’t need a lot of time to spread and cause infection. Taking a few minutes to floss seems better than spending hours in agony on a dentist’s chair, doesn’t it?
My Teeth Are More Red Than Pink. What Does This Mean?
If you’ve got gums that are red and swollen, chances are you might have gingivitis.
Gingivitis is often easy to miss since it’s mild and painless. Nonetheless, you should still address it in order to prevent it from developing into even more serious and painful periodontal diseases. The signs of gingivitis are usually red and swollen gums that bleed easily when you use a toothpick or toothbrush. You don’t need to worry about having to drink expensive medicines for this, as simple good oral hygiene and proper dental treatment can prevent and heal gingivitis in no time.
If you’ve got naturally red gums but no bleeding or swelling, however, you don’t have much to worry about. Gum color can vary widely among different people depending on diet or other factors. What’s important is that your gums don’t suddenly change color, leak blood when you brush or eat, or develop painful sores. If you’ve noticed your gums growing pale or white, you should head for a doctor right away as it could be a sign of infection in other parts of your body.
My Gums Are Swelling At A Terrible Rate. What Do I Do?
Although swollen gums are often associated with gingivitis, severe swelling and inflammation can also be a sign of gingival hyperplasia—a disease where soft tissues of the gums grow and swell at an abnormal rate.
Gingival hyperplasia can be caused not only by poor dental hygiene but also by certain medications and diseases. Excessive plaque buildup on the teeth can severely weaken precious tissues inside the gums and cause serious swelling and bleeding. Severely swollen gums are also usually a side effect of medications such as calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, and seizure or anticonvulsant medications. Genetic conditions that can cause the body to produce too much collagen can also lead to severe and painful swelling.
If you think something isn’t right with your gums, it’s best to consult your dentist and find out if there’s a deeper underlying cause behind it. It might seem easy to just brush more and hope for things to turn out fine on their own, but you never know what your body might be struggling with.
What Happens If I Don’t Treat Diseased Gums?
Gums don’t magically heal and get better on their own. Swollen and bleeding gums that haven’t received proper treatment and care can quickly develop periodontitis—a serious infection of gum tissue. Plaque that forms below the gum line can not only inflame gums, but they can also break down the tissues and bones supporting the teeth. Teeth can loosen from the gums as a result and in turn create spaces where infection can take place. As more and more teeth separate from the gums, infections worsen and cause gum tissue and bone to become severely damaged.
Proper dental hygiene is the best way to prevent gum disease from suddenly creeping up on you. Even if you brush and floss three times a day, bacteria and plaque stuck to hidden corners of your teeth can still cause quite a bit of trouble for your dental health. We’ve got a reliable dental scaler that can prevent the onslaught of gum disease by removing bacteria left behind after brushing, so why not get your today with just one click?