Do you know why brushing and flossing are so important? As you probably know, removing plaque is something you have to do to keep your smile safe. You probably know that if you if you don’t remove the plaque from your smile you could end up with gum disease. In fact, not removing plaque well enough could lead to gum disease, irritated gums, sensitive teeth, and damage to the jawbone. Unfortunately, the issues don’t stop in your mouth.
Plaque buildup can lead to overall health problems, including heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes, cancer, erectile dysfunction, and dementia. To avoid these problems, it’s extremely important to remove plaque from your smile. This makes brushing and flossing extremely important.
But what do you do if your gums bleed? In reality, bleeding gums can be caused by any of several factors. For instance, bleeding gums can be an indicator of gum disease. Fortunately, with good, consistent oral care—and a professional cleaning—this issue could clear up on its own. However, if gum disease reaches advanced stages, a dentist may need to offer you other solutions.
You may also deal with bleeding gums if you are taking medications that reduce clotting. If this is the case, speak to your dentist for specific help. Similarly, if you’ve just started flossing, your gums may bleed for a little while. However, if the bleeding doesn’t stop within a week, please contact our dentist. Finally, you could have a toothbrush that’s too hard. Hard bristles can aggravate your gums, making them more susceptible to bleeding.
If you would like to learn more—or are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Sherman—please feel free to contact us at 913-685-2171.