Noticing a little blood on your dental floss can be concerning, and bleeding during flossing may occur for various reasons. It’s possible you might be flossing your teeth in Newcastle a bit too aggressively or have a sore spot or small cut in your gum irritated by flossing. Bleeding could also be due to an infected tooth, where the infection has spread to your gums. However, periodontal disease is the most common reason for bleeding gums while you floss.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Also called gum disease, periodontal disease is incredibly common. It is a major cause of tooth loss worldwide. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and other structures that support your teeth and help maintain a healthy smile. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque and calculus (tartar), a sticky biofilm that contains harmful bacteria. Most plaque is removed when you brush and floss your teeth regularly, which is why a good oral hygiene routine is so important. Failing to brush and floss your teeth regularly allows plaque to build up, and it hardens into tartar within a couple of days.
The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce harmful toxins that infect and inflame your gums. Eventually, your infected gums begin to recede. The infection can spread to your periodontal ligaments, stretchy pieces of tissue that hold your teeth in their sockets, and the bone surrounding your teeth. The infection can destroy these periodontal ligaments and reduce bone density, so your teeth will work loose without treatment. Equally, if not even more alarming, periodontal disease can affect overall health as infectious bacteria can enter your bloodstream via bleeding gums.
How Can I Tell If I Have Gum Disease?
If you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental regularly for checkups and hygiene appointments, you can be sure we check your gum health carefully. During these visits, we assess the gum tissue around each tooth, taking careful measurements to check for gum recession or other signs of inflammation and infection.
There are also numerous other signs of infected gums in Clarington. These include gums that bleed when you brush, floss or at other times, and you may notice your gum tissue looks discoloured, so it is red or purple and swollen, and it could feel tender to touch. Your teeth might start to look longer due to gum recession, and if gum disease is advanced, your teeth may even begin to feel loose, or you could notice changes to your bite due to tooth movements. Another sign is noticing you have chronic bad breath, even after brushing your teeth thoroughly.
Treating Gum Disease
The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and if we notice you have any signs of this disease during your regular checkups, we can provide treatment promptly. This usually involves having your teeth thoroughly cleaned professionally. We might suggest reviewing your oral hygiene routine and ensuring you are caring for your teeth properly; we can show you some new brushing and flossing techniques that are easy and effective. More significant signs of gum inflammation may mean we need to deep clean your teeth, a treatment called scaling and root planing, where your teeth are cleaned professionally, and any exposed tooth roots.
Preventing Gum Disease
Gum disease is preventable by ensuring you brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and floss daily. Ensure you use dental floss that works for you, and remember, we can always offer advice. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your gum tissue and good quality fluoride toothpaste. Above all, visit your dentist in Courtice for regular checkups and hygiene appointments.
