Gingivitis: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums

By:
Karen Leckey

Reviewed By:
Andrew M. Sicklick, D.D.S.

Do your gums bleed when you floss? You may have gingivitis and not know it. Gingivitis is often defined as the mildest form of gum disease, but don't let the term "mild" fool you: It still means gum disease. In this case, gum inflammation that you may not even notice unless a dentist or hygienist mentions it. The best thing about gingivitis is that it is still at a stage where it can be stopped.

Healthy teeth and gums protect your mouth and your body from outside invaders. Dental plaque and bacteria are the most common invaders, working their way between the teeth and gums and causing gingivitis. Without treatment, gingivitis can worsen into the more severe periodontitis, where the gums recede and bone loss occurs below the gums, weakening the mouth's defenses against disease.

How can you and your dentist fight gingivitis?

Preventing and treating gingivitis at home

Good oral hygiene begins at home. The same at-home care that can help treat gingivitis can also help prevent the disease. Here are some of the basic methods that can keep gum disease away:

1. Brush and floss. The basic dental advice you hear all the time is also the best way to prevent gingivitis. So, make sure you:
   
   
   • Floss at least once a day. Flossing is the great defender of the gums. Using floss between the teeth gets at parts of the gums your toothbrush cannot reach.
     
     
   • Brush twice a day. If you have a persistent problem with gingivitis, your dentist may suggest brushing after every meal. Use a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance. There are a variety of toothpastes available, some of which list special ingredients to target gingivitis. Despite this, the only thing most dental organizations suggest you should look for in a toothpaste is that it contains fluoride and carries the ADA seal.
     
     
   • Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three or four months. Although power toothbrushes are great, manual ones work just as well when you use them enough. Power toothbrushes may be better if you have dexterity problems with your hands, and let's face it, they're more fun to use, which may make you brush longer.
     
     
2. Quit smoking. Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors for gum disease and smokers account for more than half the cases of periodontal disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Smokers are at greater risk for hardened calculus forming on their teeth and deeper periodontal pockets and bone loss, which makes the gums more susceptible to infection. If you smoke and need serious periodontal treatment, such as gum flap surgery, you'll take longer to heal.
   
   
3. Pay attention to your diet. Your diet affects all body tissues, including teeth and gums. A healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains will keep your immune system at top form protecting your whole body, including your mouth.
   
   
4. Read your prescription packages. Many medications (including antidepressants and birth control pills) can affect the gums or simply cause dry mouth. You may think dry mouth is just an annoyance, but saliva helps fight bacteria and acid in the mouth. If you take medications that affect your mouth you may want to be extra vigilant by drinking more water, using artificial saliva, or scheduling professional cleanings more frequently than every 6 months.
   

How your dentist can help

Even the best home care regimen doesn't mean you get to skip the dental visits. Your dentist has a much better view of your mouth and better tools to clean it. Here are ways your dentist helps fight gum disease:

1.  Schedule cleanings every six months. Dental cleanings can remove plaque and tartar buildup in hard to reach areas at the back of your mouth, between molars, and around dental work like crowns. Dental cleaning removes more plaque than you can and polishing smoothes tooth surfaces, making it tougher for plaque to stick around.
   
   
2. Ask about a deep cleaning. Your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to get gum disease under control. The process is sometimes called deep cleaning and may be recommended if you have not had a regular dental cleaning in several years. Scaling, or deep cleaning, of the tooth surfaces below the gum line is followed by planing, or smoothing any rough surfaces on the tooth root where bacteria may stick. Scaling and root planing may take multiple visits.
   
   
3. Talk to your dentist. Tell your dentist about other health conditions like pregnancy or medications and any time you experience dry mouth or bleeding gums. You may need more frequent cleanings. Your dentist also may be able to prescribe a special dental rinse to lessen the effects of bacteria and plaque in the mouth.
   
   

Your dental care routine may not be the most exciting part of your day, but it can be one of the most important for a healthy lifestyle. Dental issues can signal other health problems and should not be ignored. So, fight gingivitis before it leads to more serious dental or health problems.