Why bleeding gums are not normal?

When you notice a few specks of blood mixed with the toothpaste that you spit out after brushing, you might think : “ well, my gums are bleeding, but that’s normal for me!”.

You may feel it is a normal occurrence, but in terms of oral health, it is a tell-tale sign of gum disease. Gums bleed in response to the bacterial invasion  through plaque and tartar. Plaque is a slimy layer  that surrounds the tooth surface usually around the gum margins. Harmful germs accumulate on the plaque and produce acids by digesting the food you eat. These acids lead to the inflammation of gums and also contribute to tooth decay eventually. Your body is trying to fight off the bacterial infection and the collateral effect is bleeding. Thus, it is important to control the infection and prevent recurrence of bleeding.

It can be difficult to overcome gum disease just by brushing or flossing because these oral hygiene techniques can only remove superficial debris from surfaces of the teeth but the hard stuck deposits at difficult to reach areas need to be dealt with professionally. This is where professional teeth cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist will help you.  It is advised that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for a complete check-up and get professional cleaning done once in  six months.

During a cleaning appointment, your dentist will completely assess the oral environment and identify the problem areas. The tartar deposits and food debris will be removed using specialised cleaning instruments which employ ultrasound waves to break down the tartar into minute fragments. These instruments neither drill or dig nor bore into your tooth, they only clean the surface of the tooth. Once the teeth are cleaned and made free of any hard deposits they are polished using fine polishing cups and brushes with a bio-friendly polishing material. Polishing smoothens the teeth surfaces and renders  them free  of the slimy, sticky invisible layers of plaque. Due to the smooth surface, it will also be difficult for plaque to re-deposit for a good period of time.

Remember next time do not  stop yourself from visiting a dentist if your gums are bleeding. Some systemic diseases also contribute to bleeding gums, which can be arrested by resolving the root  cause.

If you require professional teeth cleaning, contact Green Meadow Dental, 3579B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111 or call: (860)-865-0056.  Many people from Meriden come to our office because we are conveniently located next to Target.  Our flexible hours and family dental practice makes it easy for busy families to schedule visits for both parents and children. We also serve patients from surrounding areas including Farmington, Rocky Hill and Portland.