Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush?

Bleeding gums affect millions of Australians every day. Depending on the severity, bleeding gums can either be a sign of existing gum disease or an indicator of the early stages of gingivitis.

At Northern Beaches Dental, we offer periodontal cleanings to remove the plaque and harmful bacteria that attack your healthy gum tissue.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis is the most common reason for your bleeding gums. Bleeding gums start when plaque builds up on your gum line. The bacteria cause inflammation and irritation. Over time, the continual build-up and growth of the bacteria can cause gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease.

Other things, like vitamin deficiencies, can make bleeding gums more severe or accelerate the process. For example, a Vitamin C deficiency makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infection.

Why Do You Develop Gum Disease?

Gum disease is most often a product of poor oral hygiene. Neglecting to brush and floss frequently causes plaque build-up, making you more likely to develop gum disease. Furthermore, brushing your teeth too hard accelerates gum erosion. Finally, smoking doubles your risk of developing gum disease.

Unfortunately, some other factors that are out of your control can make you more susceptible to gum disease, like genetics, age, and stress.

What Are the Risks of Bleeding Gums?

Our dentists in Frenchs Forest can easily treat gingivitis in its early stages. However, left untreated, gingivitis progresses into more severe periodontal disease. Eventually, the bacteria make their way into the pockets between the teeth and gums. Once bacteria reach the root, they attack the bone, causing tooth and bone loss.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Bleeding gums may be the first (or only) sign of gingivitis. Be on the lookout for other symptoms like:

• Swollen, red gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Changes in your bite

If you notice these symptoms, call your dentist and schedule an appointment right away. Catching gum disease early is the key to reversing it.

How to Treat Gum Disease

At Northern Beaches Dental, we can treat gingivitis with a series of periodontal cleanings called scaling and root planing. This involves removing all of the plaque build-ups and smoothing your teeth, so bacteria have nowhere to hide.

If you have more advanced gum disease or gum recession, we have plenty of other treatment options as well.

No matter what your course of treatment looks like, the most important element is timing. The sooner your dentist can start treating gum disease, the more likely you are to avoid costly and painful side effects down the road.

Gum Disease Treatment in Frenchs Forest

The periodontal specialists at Northern Beaches Dental in Frenchs Forest offer many treatments to help our patients with gum disease. If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, schedule a dental exam as soon as possible. We will identify the cause of your bleeding gums, find you a treatment plan, and recommend changes to your oral hygiene routine to fight back against periodontal disease.

Make your appointment today on 02 9190 6925.