When Should I Be Concerned with Bleeding Gums?

There are a number of reasons that a patient may experience bleeding gum tissue. Poor oral hygiene is the number one reason for bleeding, but other reasons can include aggressive brushing, not flossing, or being new to flossing, gum disease, and even underlying medical conditions.

You can also cause bleeding during your oral hygiene routine if you are not using proper methods. Patients need to brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristle or an electric toothbrush in a circular and up-and-down motion. A toothbrush that is too stiff can cause damage not only to the enamel but also to the gum tissue, causing it to bleed.

When should I be concerned with bleeding gums?

While occasional bleeding is nothing to be concerned about, if you are unable to control gum bleeding on your own within a couple of weeks, you need to see your dentist for an evaluation. If they find that your gum tissue is infected, as with gum disease, they will recommend you see a periodontist for a deep cleaning to help control the infection and get your gums back to a healthy state. Severe gum disease requires evaluation and treatment by a periodontist.

If your dentist does not find an infection and notes that your gum tissue is healthy, they may recommend that you see your primary care physician to make sure that there are no underlying medical conditions that could have a symptom of bleeding gums.

If you have noticed a pink tinge in the sink when you rinse for more than a few days in a row, you might need to see your dentist for a quick check-up.

Periodontal Disease and Bleeding Gums

As we mentioned, poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bleeding gums. Not only is brushing and flossing regularly crucial to the health of your teeth and gums, but regular visits to your dentist are equally important. Seeing your dentist at least twice a year will allow them to catch signs of gum disease and treat it before it gets worse.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is noted by tender, swollen gums that bleed with oral hygiene. If you go to the dentist at this point, a simple cleaning is likely to set you back on the right path. But if you ignore it and let it get worse, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease that can cause irreversible damage. Left untreated, periodontitis can turn into advanced periodontitis, at which point you run the risk of losing teeth. Treatment for advanced periodontitis is much more invasive, costly, and painful than preventing gum disease in the first place.

If you experience minor bleeding on occasion, it is likely no cause for concern. However, if you experience bleeding in the gums that lasts more than a couple of weeks, make an appointment to see your dentist for an evaluation.

Related Article: Are Bleeding Gums Serious?