How often you are saying ‘My gums bleed when I floss’? Are bleeding gums when flossing factor enough to prompt a call to the dental expert? Gums that bleed after everyday flossing can be an indication of gingivitis, the preliminary stage of gum disease. Left unattended, gingivitis can advance into the more advanced stages of gum disease, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. The innovative stages can result in irreversible tissue damage and tooth loss. The earlier this disease is acknowledged, the most likely it can be treated successfully or perhaps reversed. Regular dental sees can assist get your gum health back on track.
What Causes Gums Bleed When Flossing
Whether you notice bleeding gums when flossing, you should still intend on seeing your dental expert at least every six months. Regular sees can assist to combat and prevent gum disease for two reasons.
Why do gums bleed when flossing? Dental check up should help you to find out the reason. First, an oral exam enables your dental practitioner to determine if you are showing signs of gingivitis or periodontitis and what procedures can be taken to enhance your oral health. Second, your dental professional or dental hygienist can get rid of plaque buildup under your gums and solidified tartar on your teeth by conducting a professional cleansing.
Plaque
Plaque is the main reason for gingivitis. The bacteria in plaque can aggravate and contaminate the gum tissue, causing the tenderness and swelling. Getting rid of this sticky compound through everyday brushing and flossing and routine professional cleanings can often suffice to treat gingivitis. Your dental practitioner may advise that you come in more than every six months to help handle plaque buildup and monitor your oral health. For extra gum protection, speak with your dentist about using an American-Dental-Association approved anticavity, antiplaque toothpaste. If your bleeding gums are a sign of advanced periodontiits, your dentist might advise a nonsurgical treatment such as scaling and root planing. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from teeth and from under the gumline. Root planing is a procedure that involves scaling of the root surface area to eliminate plaque and tartar from it.
Alternate Causes of Bleeding Gums when Floss
Gingivitis is not the only possible reason for bleeding gums. A new flossing regular or the use of blood thinning medications can cause this issue also. If you just began flossing frequently and you observe some bleeding, then this should clear up in about a week. If you are taking a brand-new medication and notice consistent bleeding when flossing, then you may wish to speak to your physician. Some pregnant women experience what is called pregnancy gingivitis; hormone changes can cause an increased sensitivity to plaque bacteria, resulting in gum inflammation during pregnancy. Correct brushing and flossing practices as well as a minimum of one dental appointment while pregnant can assist with pregnancy gingivitis.
The American Dental Association advises providing your dentist or physician a call if bleeding gums are a routine event when flossing or if the bleeding issues you.