Bleeding Gums: No Big Deal, Right?

It’s normal for gums to bleed from time to time, right? Well, is it normal for your eyes to bleed when you rub them? Is it normal for your fingers to bleed when you tap your fingernails? No, healthy skin does not bleed….anywhere and gums should not bleed with normal brushing and flossing.

Bleeding gums are evidence of a bigger hazard than most of us give them credit for. They don’t just signal problems that will ruin your gum line, give you bad breath, and cause you to lose your teeth, they can also allow germs to enter the main blood stream and cause problems with your liver and heart. So if bleeding gums are a symptom and not a cause, then what causes gums to bleed? Meet plaque and tartar.

Plaque is a natural biofilm that forms on teeth daily. It is a mixture of dissolved food and bacteria. Plaque is mostly removed every day by brushing and flossing, but even the most conscientious brusher/flosser can’t get it all. It’s this leftover plaque that forms the most dangerous offender, tartar. Unchecked plaque soon hardens into tartar, the main culprit that causes gum disease which in turn causes gums to bleed. Tartar is a hard substance that can only be removed by a professional tooth cleaning

Tartar needs to be removed because your body sees it as a foreign invader. As with any other foreign invader, like a flu bug or an infection, your body “sends in the troops” using the immune system to fight off the infection. There is a battle in your mouth at all times, and the war is never over. Teeth cleanings level the playing field by keeping things in check.

The skin of your gums shares the jobs of skin all over your body. If the skin of your gums is compromised by disease, it can allow harmful bacteria in your bloodstream. Although it has not been clinically proven, studies suggest that’s why preventing gum disease reduces risk of stroke, heart disease, and dementia.

How Apple Dental Can Help

Dental cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental flossing, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits (tartar) not removed by routine cleaning.

Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during treatment of dental and other oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays.

Our dental hygienists here at Apple Dental are among the most trained and skillful that you will find anywhere in north Louisiana. Along with their welcoming smiles and genuine care for our patients, they make a team that you won’t find anywhere else. Call us today and set up a cleaning. We are waiting to hear from you.