Bleeding Gums

Do your gums bleed while brushing your teeth? What about while flossing, or even eating certain kinds of foods?

Bleeding gums can indicate that you are at risk (or already have) gum disease. And persistent bleeding of the gums may be due to serious medical conditions such as coagulation problems, leukemia or autoimmune disorders.

One thing is absolutely clear. If you have bleeding gums, you should have it checked out by a dentist or periodontist.

The most common cause of gum bleeding is gum disease. The gums become tender, sore and swollen during the early stages of gum disease. This is known as gingivitis or inflamed gums. Failure to remove plaque from the teeth at the gum line is the main cause. If regular brushing and dental cleanings are not done to remove the plaque, it hardens into tartar. This can lead to periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease, ultimately causing tooth loss.

Have you taken the gum disease self assessment test from the American Academy of Periodontology? It just takes a few moments and will help you determine whether you are at risk. Click this link to launch a pop-up window for an instant assessment.

Gum Disease Risk Assessment Tool

The quiz will ask you simple questions, including ones such as:

• Do your gums ever bleed?
• Are your teeth loose?
• Do your teeth look longer than you are used to them looking?
• Have your gums receded?
• Do you smoke or use tobacco?
• How often do you floss?
• When was the last time you went to the dentist?
• Have you ever been told at a dental cleaning or exam that you have inflammation of the gums?
• Have your family members had gum disease?

Once armed with the answers to the questions, a patient with symptoms of gum disease can work with their dentist to diagnose the issue. Visitors to the San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles offices of periodontist Dr. Lynn Sayre-Carstairs can attest to the thoroughness of her questioning and examination.

Here is more information about gum care, inflamed gums, gum pain and periodontal therapy.

Tips for home care of bleeding gums

• Consult your dentist or periodontist immediately if the bleeding is heavy or persistent.
• If your gums bleed even after treatment, let the dentist know.
• If you have other medical symptoms with the gum bleeding, bring it up – however unrelated you feel the symptoms are.
• Don’t use tobacco as it aggravates bleeding gums.
• Soak a piece of gauze padding in icy water and apply pressure directly to the bleeding gums to control the bleeding.
• Don’t take aspirin (unless directed by your physician – whom you have told about the gum problems).
• Massage your gums with a dental irrigation machine or gently with a soft bristle toothbrush.
• Mention denture fit issues (sore spots from your dentures).
• Floss twice a day to avoid plaque buildup. Avoid cutting your gums with the dental floss.
• Brush after every meal.
• Don’t use vigorous back and forth strokes across the gum line as that can rip and tear the gums.
• Don’t use commercial mouth wash that contains alcohol.
• Rinse with salt water or a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide.
• Maintain a healthy diet with the proper amount of minerals and vitamins.

Watch this video to learn how to avoid gingivitis:

About Coast Periodontics and Dr. Lynn Sayre-Carstairs

Dr. Lynn C. Sayre – Carstairs, DMD offers state-of-the-art gum treatment at her San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles offices. A leader in the field of Periodontology with over 20 years of experience and specialized training, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs believes that her approach is the gentlest way to manage gum disease.

Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery is the only dental office within a 100 mile radius to have a dental laser. Dr. Lynn Sayre-Carstairs is an expert is the use of the laser for dental procedures and is an advocate for the many benefits dental lasers offer. Laser dentistry is often less painful and certainly less invasive than traditional non-laser methods.