Bleeding gums are a very common and, sadly, often underestimated problem. Bleeding from the gums can in fact be indicative of inflammation of the oral cavity which can have serious consequences for the health of the mouth and in particular of the gums. So while it is not necessary to panic if you have some blood on your toothbrush or if your gums start to bleed, you do need to see your dentist as soon as you can.
Bleeding gums: causes
In general, bleeding from the gums is due to poor oral hygiene which has allowed the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar on the teeth and near the gums.
In fact, it is the bacteria that form the bacterial plaque that generate the inflammation that makes the gums red, swollen and bleeding.
If the patient's oral hygiene is sufficient, the causes could be other, including:
* weakened immune system
* hormonal changes (caused for example by pregnancy)
* too vigorous brushing during daily cleaning
* taking anticoagulant drugs
* vitamin deficient diet
When the inflammation of the gums is in its early stages it is referred to as gingivitis. When the patient's clinical picture becomes complicated, periodontitis can occur.
Periodontitis develops when plaque-forming bacteria lodge in sacs between the gum and the tooth. In an attempt to protect itself from the attack of bacteria, the gum begins to retract to protect the alveolar bone. The teeth are exposed, appear longer and begin to show a particular dental sensitivity to temperature changes. In severe cases they lose their stability and end up falling.
Bleeding gums: remedies
The accurate and effective daily removal of bacterial plaque with the use of appropriate products and techniques is an activity to which the patient must always devote himself with the utmost commitment, especially if the bleeding gum problem occurs often.
Opting for a low-sugar diet is also essential to speed up the resolution of the problem.
With regard to dental hygiene tools, it is appropriate to use:
* toothbrushes with not too hard bristles
* dental floss or interdental brush
* toothpastes specially formulated for sensitive or bleeding gums
As for the technique, the advice is to brush the teeth for about two minutes, with circular and concentric movements, dedicating about two seconds to each tooth: the force used must not be excessive to avoid creating trauma to the soft tissues.
Cleaning the spaces between tooth and tooth must be carried out extremely scrupulously, since it is there that most of the bacteria that give rise to plaque lurk. As already mentioned, however, it is essential to be delicate.
Correct oral hygiene usually resolves episodic bleeding of the gums very quickly but, when this is not enough, it is necessary to contact the dentist to perform one or more professional oral hygiene sessions by removing the plaque that cannot be removed only with use. of toothbrush and toothpaste.
It is also advisable to undergo a dental examination at least once every six months in order to identify any signs of the return of the infection early.