What Causes Bleeding Gums?

How your dentists in Lakeview, Chicago, IL, can help when you have bleeding gums

Do your gums bleed when you brush? Do you know why? When your gums bleed, it’s an early sign of gum disease. When you notice a little bleeding coming from your gums, it means you need to work harder at keeping your teeth clean. Your dentist and dental hygienist can help.

Dr. Scott Emalfarb and Dr. Arielle Wulfsohn at Lake View Dental Associates in Lake View, Chicago, IL, offer a wide range of restorative, cosmetic, and preventive dental services, including treatment for bleeding gums.

Bleeding gums are caused by plaque. Plaque isn’t just a sticky, white film on your teeth. It contains millions of harmful bacteria that produce toxins. These toxins cause infection.

When your body senses infective bacteria, the inflammatory process starts. Your gums become red and swollen due to blood and fluids in your tissue. When you brush, the blood comes out. Bleeding is a reliable indicator that you have an infection going on in your gums. You have an early sign of gum disease.

The good news is, bleeding and gum disease can be reversed, but you have to act now. You need to practice excellent oral hygiene for thorough plaque removal. You need to:

• Brush after every meal, and before you go to bed
• Floss every day to remove plaque in between your teeth
• Visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly to help maintain your oral health

If you have bleeding gums, and you don’t do anything to protect the health of your smile, gum disease can progress into periodontal disease. When you have periodontal disease, it means the infection has spread to the bone, ligaments, and fibers which hold your teeth in place. Periodontal disease can cause you to lose your teeth.

You can prevent bleeding gums and gum disease, and protect your smile. To learn more about what causes bleeding gums and how you can prevent gum disease, call Dr. Scott Emalfarb and Dr. Arielle Wulfsohn at Lake View Dental Associates in Lake View, Chicago, IL. You can reach them in the office at (773) 472-6322, so call now!