Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Of course, not every case of bleeding gums is directly related to gum disease. In less common circumstances, certain medications, or hormonal changes can cause the gums to become more sensitive to stimulation and may bleed.  However a common reason that gums bleed is due to  gum disease.  Also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the gums, teeth and in advanced cases, the bones and ligaments that support the jaw. This infection is estimated to affect nearly 80% of Americans at some point during their lifetime.

With better brushing techniques and more regular flossing, along with regular cleanings and evaluation by a dental professional, the majority of cases of gum disease can be minimized and managed easily. The cause of gum disease is simple; bacteria. Full of warmth, moisture and an environment full of food to thrive upon, bacteria inside the mouth can reproduce rapidly. Food particles and residue that are left inside our mouths after meals provides optimum opportunity for bacteria to grow out of control. As they grow they release toxins that irritate and inflame the gum line. A bacteria's preferred food source is in the form of plaque.

Plaque residue forms a sticky and sometimes hard substance on the teeth and around the gum line. Bacteria feed on the plaque and work deep into gum tissues causing irritation, swelling and bleeding gums. This irritation may be painless but where there is bleeding there is most likely an infection that will need to be treated.

It is very important to see a dentist regularly and get your routine check-ups. Be sure to contact us today to set up your next appointment to avoid any major cases of oral problems.

Flossing involves the mechanical debridement of tooth surfaces. Just like toothbrush bristles whose purpose is to scrub the surface of teeth, dental floss is a tool whose intended purpose is to scrub dental plaque off a tooth's surface in those regions where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. That's why proper flossing technique involves holding the dental floss up against a tooth and sliding it along its full length, even below the gum line, not just in and out of the contact area where two teeth touch.

Only scrubbing and scraping can adequately dislodge dental plaque from a tooth surface. Oral rinses may soften plaque or be antibacterial in nature, but neither of these properties allows a mouthwash to be even fractionally as effective as brushing and flossing.

A part of the problem is associated with the failure of oral rinses has to do with the nature of dental plaque. Even though a layer of plaque can be quite thin, it is remarkably protective to the bacteria that live within it. Oral rinses can have an effect on the bacteria that live on its surface but will have a very limited effect on those that live within it. This means that when a mouthwash is used the bacterial population living in the plaque is only somewhat affected. In comparison, scrubbing dental plaque off a tooth's surface significantly breaks up the bacteria's layer where it will have to start over.