Do you bleed when flossing your teeth, or when brushing? Is this something to be worried about?
We checked with dentists to find out what it means when a person has bleeding during their oral hygiene results, and what to do about it.
Healthy gums don’t bleed…period.
Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. Early stages of gum disease presents as gums that bleed easily when touched by light probing or even tooth brushing. When no bone loss is present, this early stage is called gingivitis. Depending on the patient’s overall immune system response, some people may get gingivitis that does not significantly progress. However, this gum inflammation will progress to gum abscesses and actual bone infection, which leads to bone loss. Ultimately, gum disease causes tooth loss.
Kevin D. Huff, DDS – Dover, OH
(You can read Dr. Huff’s complete answer to our question on his blog here.)
Bleeding from the gums or other tissues of the mouth is not a good sign at any time. Typically, when a person notices blood in their saliva when they brush their teeth, it is a sign of gum disease.
Inflamed gum tissue that is red and swollen bleeds easily when stimulated by a toothbrush, dental floss, or even hard food. The cause of the inflammation in the gums is usually from the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar on the teeth. This accumulation of plaque and tartar first creates a superficial infection of the gums called gingivitis. As more accumulates, however, it spreads down along the roots of the teeth below the gums, creating a more severe infection called periodontal disease or periodontitis.
Periodontal disease will cause a loss of the bone the teeth are anchored to, which will cause the teeth to become mobile and then, eventually, fall out. It also creates a persistent chronic infection that can illicit inflammation throughout the body, which is linked to other major system disorders such as diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
There are also some other factors that can cause the gums to be inflamed and bleed, such as hormonal changes during pregnancy and some systemic disorders. Only your dentist can help you determine the reason for your bleeding gums, however, so it is important to have regular visits at your dental office and let your dentist and hygienist know if you are seeing blood when you brush or floss.
Joel A. Lanie, DDS – Bargersville, IN
Bleeding gums after brushing can mean one of several things. First and foremost, it is not normal; healthy gums don’t bleed, this is gingivitis.
It does not mean you’re brushing too hard. It most likely means that you need to brush better or longer, or that you need to floss under the gums. This may make them bleed more at first but, as the days go by and you are getting to those deeper areas where bacteria live, they will become healthier and eventually stop bleeding. This usually takes two to three weeks. New toothpastes for bleeding gums help a little but brushing into the gums with a soft toothbrush and flossing help more.
Gums that don’t get better may mean you are overdue for a cleaning. You need to see a hygienist who will scale under the gums to get any tartar off. It may occur when women are having, or around the time of, their period. Some women have bleeding during pregnancy. In both these cases, the change in hormones make the gums more susceptible to the bacteria; try brushing better or have them cleaned.
Another cause of bleeding gums could be gum disease which is more advanced than gingivitis. This needs more attention; it could be several deeper cleanings or gum surgery. Gum disease or periodontitis is where you are losing bone under the gums and around the teeth. It usually does not hurt until very advanced and it can lead to tooth loss if not treated early enough. It can be seen with x-rays and a good exam.
If you have bleeding for longer than two weeks you need to see your dentist.
Cynthia M. Sachs, DDS – Rockford, IL
The consensus is pretty clear: Bleeding gums is a sign of a problem, and should be treated as soon as possible. Early forms of gum disease (gingivitis) can be treated and reversed, but, the longer you wait, the greater the risk of suffering permanent gum recession and bone loss.
Proper brushing and flossing should prevent bleeding, but if you’re currently experiencing blood during your oral hygiene routine, check with your dentist to see if you need a cleaning or periodontal therapy to return your mouth to a healthy state.
We’d like to thank these dentists for providing us with this valuable information. If you are currently looking for a dentist and live in their area, click on their name to see their full profile and read reviews from their current patients.