One of the many concerns in Oral Health is bleeding gums. Though there are several factors that cause the gums to bleed, Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is the most common. When we eat, some food debris may remain on the surfaces of the teeth and through time will build up plaque, which contain bacteria. When plaque reaches the gumline and stays for a significant amount of time the gums may swell and recede. Sometimes brushing or flossing may result to bleeding gums and becomes very annoying.
This is the part that your Dentist play a very important role. It is recommended that oral prophylaxis should be done regularly at least every 6 months. It you are wearing fixed ortho appliance or a fixed denture, it is best that cleaning should be more frequent than 6 months. It is always a combination of proper oral home care and dental visits.
However, please note that there are other factors causing the gums to bleed like health conditions or medications. This may include but not limited to:
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Ill-fitted dentures
- HIV infection
- Other medical conditions
- Medications like Aspirin, Dilantin
If you have symptoms, it is best to seek the advice of a health professional to give you a thorough dental/medical evaluation