Hello! How are Your Gums Doing?

Young female sitting in dentist office and looking at her doctor with smile

Have you ever noticed blood in the sink when you brush your teeth? Do you feel embarrassed at times because you believe you have bad breath? This could mean you have gum disease or gingivitis.

If gingivitis isn’t treated at once, it can progress to an even worse dental health problem which is periodontitis.

Most people brush their teeth twice a day, but is that enough?

To help reduce your risk of getting gum disease, here are some tips:

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time. Ideally, you should brush your teeth before you go to bed and at least once more in the day. At times, people feel like they don’t have time to brush for the entirety for two minutes, but you should really make it a point to brush your teeth for at least that long. If it helps, you can set a timer on your phone so you’d know when you’re done.  Lastly, proper brushing technique is critical to your overall success too.  Ask us to tweak your technique or routine at your next visit.

Change your toothpaste. If you constantly have bleeding gums, you might have to switch to a toothpaste that is specifically formulated for this condition. There are clinically proven products that are available commercially, but of course, you can always ask your dentist at Pickering Square Dental for recommendations.

Don’t skip the floss! You want to be sure that you are cleaning the space between your teeth thoroughly. Often, bacteria hide in places where your toothbrush cannot reach. Regularly cleaning between your teeth prevents both gum disease and tooth decay. Some people find flossing a little tricky, so you might want to check out interdental brushes to reach the gap in between your teeth.  Ask us to tweak your tweak your technique. 

Swish some mouthwash. You want to protect your mouth in those hours between brushing. Mouthwash can help you with that by lowering the levels of bacteria in your mouth. Remember, though, that mouthwash should be used in addition to regular brushing and flossing and not instead of. Mouthwash can help in rinsing out food particles from your mouth and of course, it can deter bad breath with its fresh and minty smell.

Stop smoking. People who smoke are more susceptible to gum infection because tobacco causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. This results in reduced flow of nutrients and blood to the gum tissues.

Don’t wait for things to get worse. If you notice any sign of change at all in your gums, including redness, tenderness, and bleeding, contact your dentist. That can be an early sign of gum disease.

Because gum disease is a progressive condition, you should not leave it untreated. If you’re concerned, you can call Pickering Square Dental and book an appointment as soon as possible.

Why Your Gums are Bleeding

Do you sometimes notice blood on your toothbrush or in your sink when you brush your teeth? If so, then you should know that it is something that you should never ignore. It is possible that your gums bled a bit because you ate something coarse and it scratched them. However, if this is a regular occurrence, then it might be a more serious problem.

 

If you have no idea why your gums are bleeding, read on, as we give you five reasons why they do and what you can do to stop them:

 

  1. Gingivitis

Plaque and cavity-causing bacteria can build up on your teeth and result to inflammation of your gums. This is what we call gingivitis. It is usually painless and there are no symptoms so there is a possibility that you don’t know you have one, except there are bloodstains on your toothbrush. Gingivitis can progress to a periodontal disease and lead to eventual tooth loss. It can still be reversed though, or avoid altogether. The solution? A meticulous routine that includes thorough brushing and flossing, to make sure you have removed all that plaque.

 

  1. Smoking

Smokers are simply prone to bleeding gums. Irritating toxins are left on your teeth when you inhale smoke and it could be hard to remove the stains once there’s a build-up. These same substances can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed.

 

  1. Poor Diet

If you do not eat the recommended servings of vegetables and fruits for each day, you could be giving your gums reason to be inflamed. Remember that staying healthy is the best defense you can have to protect yourself from any problem.

 

  1. Pregnancy

It could be because of hormonal changes that are common when a woman is pregnant. If you are not, then it could be because of your menstruation. It is not uncommon for women to experience hormonal gingivitis which is associated with their monthly periods.

 

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Are you brushing way too hard? Or have you been forgetting you should brush every time you eat?  If you do not have a regular oral hygiene routine, it will be your gums to suffer the consequences. You should brush your teeth, floss, and make sure you remove all the plaque and other food debris.

These are only some of the possible reasons why your gums are bleeding. Whatever is causing it though, you have to make sure you pay your dentist a visit at Pickering Square Dental to check it for you.

Gingivitis: What You Need to Know

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease but the good news is: it’s reversible and, preventable.  Find out everything you need to know about this oral medical condition here:

 

What It Is

Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease that can easily be detected and caught because it causes the gums to become red and puffy or swollen. When you are brushing or flossing your teeth, gingivitis sometimes may cause discomfort and bleeding, however, it is not usually painful. If left untreated, it can be a precursor to a more serious oral condition called periodontitis – this contributes to gum decay and bone and tooth loss. Beyond that, periodontitis is also associated with chronic health conditions such as heart and lung diseases as well as diabetes to name a few.  Gingivitis is not the worst oral condition, but clearly addressing and treating it quickly will aid in avoiding having more serious problems.

 

Causes

Plaque, a combination of the leftover particles from food and drinks you consume within the day, can cause gingivitis. If you don’t practice proper oral habits, plaque build-up, in the form of an unpleasant, sticky film, will cling to your teeth and gums. Plaque can be removed by flossing and brushing your teeth, but if you do not do it regularly and, with proper technique, plaque hardens into a rough substance called tartar. Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria and once it gathers in your mouth, it can easily infect your gums.

 

Symptoms

Since gingivitis affects the gums, it results in irritation, puffy/swollen, redness and bleeding in the gums – especially when brushing and flossing. Other symptoms may include; tooth sensitivity, pain as well as bad breath.  Some people do not experience discomfort in the early stages, but as the condition progresses symptoms may become more noticeable. Since the symptoms are mild, some people are not made aware that they have this condition.  Together with regular dental examinations and professional dental hygiene visits with our Dental Professionals here at Pickering Dental we can closely monitor and treat this condition.

 

Predisposing Factors

These factors are likely to increase one’s chances of developing gingivitis:

*Diabetes

*Tobacco chewing or smoking

*Certain medications (oral contraceptives)

*Genetics

*Pregnancy

*Crooked teeth

*Autoimmune diseases

 

A study also shows that there is a link between gingivitis and heart disease. With that said, gingivitis may lead to more than just periodontitis.

 

Treatments

The most effective way to prevent gingivitis from developing is by maintaining healthy oral habits such as regular brushing and flossing and, simply monitoring by examination if you have this disease. A healthy diet and lifestyle also help in preventing gingivitis from occurring. You may also use an anti-bacterial mouthwash that is beneficial in keeping the gums healthy and strong. Gingivitis might cause bleeding, receding gums leading to bone loss. If you notice these signs, it is best to consult Dr. Lean and his team. Gum disease treatments involve a thorough cleaning and removing as much plaque and buildup.   

How to Prevent Receding Gums

It can, and usually does, happen without you even knowing it.  You smile a big smile in the mirror and you notice something – your teeth seem ever so slightly taller or longer than they used to be.  You have receding gums.  Receding gums is a condition in which the gum tissue around the teeth pulls back or is worn away, exposing more of the teeth and their roots.  It can be serious problem especially with heavy recession as the gaps that can form between the teeth can allow bacteria to build up and can even result in severe damage to teeth and the surrounding bone if left untreated.  In order to understand what you’re dealing with there are some things you should know about receding gums.

Causes

Gum disease is the largest cause of receding gums – the bacteria destroys tissue around the teeth and attacks the supporting bone structure as well.  Hard or incorrect tooth brushing can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and your gums to recede.  Inadequate brushing can also make it easy for tartar to build up which itself can lead to issues with receding gums.  Additional contributing factors include hormonal changes, heredity, smoking, and grinding your teeth.

Treatment

If receding gums become enough of an issue that treatment becomes necessary mild or moderate recession can be treated by deep cleaning and potentially antibiotics.  If the recession has progressed into becoming severe it may require dental (periodontal) surgery to treat.

Prevention

Preventing gum recession can be as easy as taking good care in maintaining dental hygiene.  Brush and floss every day and see your dentist at least twice a year.  Always use a soft bristled toothbrush and follow the correct instructions on how to use it.  If receding is caused by grinding or crooked teeth you should get the issue corrected by your dentist as soon as possible.  Make sure to keep an eye on your gums if you sense a problem and see your dentist if you’re worried.

Taking care of your gums isn’t too difficult but if you are noticing an additional sensitivity or you’re worried about your dental care in general contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

5 Possible Causes of Gum Bleeding

When you notice traces of blood in your saliva after brushing or flossing, it can be a disconcerting experience. But there could be a perfectly harmless reason for gum bleeding. It’s important to do your research, however, and make sure a more serious medical or dental concern is not behind your bleeding issue. Within this blog, we’ll outline five possible causes of gum bleeding.

1. Poor Hygiene

Have you been skipping occasionally skipping brushing and flossing a minimum of twice daily? This could be the reason that your gums are inflamed and bleeding.  Poor oral hygiene habits can cause the build-up of plaque and tartar on the gums. This, in turn, can cause the gums to bleed at even the slightest contact from the brush.  If not addressed it could lead to more serious oral health issues!

2. Vitamin C Deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency occurs when you don’t have enough fruit and vegetables in your diet. It’s a problem that can lead to swollen gums that bleed more easily. By simply going to your doctor and explaining your symptoms you can be tested for vitamin deficiency.

3. Hormonal Changes

For women going through puberty or pregnancy, bleeding gums is a common occurrence. This is due to the hormonal changes taking place in your body, which can often be mitigated by a dental professional.

4. A Medication Side-Effect

Many of the leading medications for epilepsy and cancer are known to cause gum bleeding. This is a problem that many patients experience while battling their condition and can often be reduced through concerted steps taken by both the doctor and the dentist. Certain over-the-counter medications such as aspirin can also cause some gum bleeding, but this is quite rare among the general population.

5. A Smoking Side-Effect

For smokers, gum bleeding can be a side-effect of their habit. That’s because tobacco smoke contain numerous chemicals that can affect our body’s ability to fight against bacterial plaque. This means that, by giving up smoking, you can not only improve your general health but also your oral health for the long-term.

Gum bleeding issues can be treated if you know the cause. Speak with our team, and don’t wait until it’s too late to report gum bleeding… get to the root of the problem!