Are your gums bleeding when you brush? Do they feel swollen? Gum disease is one of the most common dental concerns among patients. Without treatment, it can affect the function and health of your teeth, gums, and bone structure. Dr. Dechter and Moy can treat symptoms like bleeding gums in Silver Spring, MD.
Signs of Gum Disease
Bleeding, red, swollen, or sensitive gums may be signs of gum disease. Contact us if you notice these symptoms.
Gum disease is also progressive. If you do not seek treatment from a dentist, it will slowly impact the health and function of your teeth and gums.
FACT: Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of the development of serious health problems. These problems include cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and strokes.
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy encourage patients to take a proactive approach to gum disease. A good oral hygiene routine and regular health exams can help control the spread of disease-causing bacteria. Patients should visit our Silver Spring dentist office at least twice a year for oral health screening and teeth cleaning.
FACT: According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over half of the American adults have gum disease.
If you have bleeding gums, visit our Silver Spring, MD office for a gum disease screening. Gum disease is referred to as the “silent disease”. Some patients may go a lifetime without knowing they have a bacterial infection.
What’s Causing your Gums to Bleed?
Many factors can lead to bleeding gums. You can prevent most problems, but others require medical help. The following are just some of the signs:
- Dehydrated gums
- Lack of a daily tooth brushing routine
- Not using mouthwash regularly
- A symptom of a medication you are taking
- Not flossing enough
- An unhealthy diet or too many sugary foods
- Brushing your teeth too hard
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy offer personalized and experienced bleeding gums treatment in Silver Spring, MD.
Our dentists provide periodontal therapy for all stages of gum disease. We can work with you to restore the health of your gums. Treatment options can range from tan antibacterial rinse to oral surgery. Your treatment will depend on the condition of your gums and tooth or gum damage.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Many things that can cause the development and spread of gum disease. Poor oral health, high rates of tooth decay, and avoiding preventive dental care exams are only a few contributing factors to gum disease.
- Genetics: Genetics may play a role in developing gum disease. Some people are simply more prone to developing a bacterial infection. Other factors may increase your chance of developing periodontal disease. If any of these risk factors apply to you, be sure to let Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy know.
- Changes In Hormones: Many women will develop gum disease during pregnancy. Large shifts in hormones can increase your risk of developing the disease. Being proactive about your oral health can help keep gingivitis in check during pregnancy. Women with advanced gum disease have been shown to have babies with lower birth rates.
- Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking and using any tobacco products can harm both your mouth and your overall health. Tobacco weakens your gums and makes them more likely to develop infections like gum disease. It also slows down healing, which makes it harder for your gums to recover from damage.
- Weakened Immune System: Your immune system helps fight off bacteria that cause gum disease. However, stress, poor nutrition, and chronic illnesses like diabetes can weaken your immune system. These problems make it hard to fight off gum disease.
- Medications: Some medications can make your mouth more vulnerable to plaque and bacteria, increasing your risk of gum disease. If you take any medications, let Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy know. Our dentists they can help you take the best care of your oral health.
Why Treat Bleeding Gums?
The gums are the foundation of your oral structure and support healthy, stable teeth. They also play an important role in the maintenance of your overall health and wellness. Gums serve as a barrier between harmful bacteria present in the mouth and the bloodstream. If bacteria get into your bloodstream, they can circulate throughout your body and lead to systemic inflammation.
The Oral-Body Connection
The health of the gums has been proven to impact overall health. The inverse is also true. Poor oral health can lead to an increased risk for cardiovascular and systemic disease. If you do not seek treatment from a dentist, harmful bacteria can affect the body and the immune system, causing internal inflammation over time.
Maintaining healthy gums will keep your smile as stable as possible and support your overall physical wellness. For patients with medical conditions that can impact periodontal health, we offer personal care and advice to help them avoid gum disease. Keeping your gums healthy will also allow reduce side effects and help you to enjoy the best possible quality of life.
Preventing Gum Disease
One of the best things you can do to prevent gum disease is to visit our Silver Spring dental office twice a year. Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy may suggest that some patients visit them more often. Routine dental care is the foundation of lifelong oral health and allows our team to spot the signs of developing oral concerns early. This is when conservative treatments are more successful, and lets us avoid more invasive treatments.
We want to monitor the health of your gum tissue and the progress of gum disease treatments. This way we can offer better at home oral hygiene tips. For patients with chronic gum disease due to genetics or other factors, we may suggest more frequent visits for thorough cleanings and exams.
Bleeding Gums FAQs
Learn more about causes and treatments of bleeding gums in Silver Spring, MD:
Should I go to the dentist if my gums are bleeding often?
If your gums are bleeding often, this can be a sign of a more serious issue. If you experience frequent bleeding gums, go to see your dentist. They will be able to address what is causing your gums to bleed and help treat it.
How does salt water rinse heal gum infection?
A saltwater rinse can help your bleeding gums but will not heal them. Warm salt water soothes the gums and helps them heal because it can reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. The best way to make a saltwater solution is to combine half a teaspoon of salt into a warm glass of water.
Salt water rinses have a mild antibacterial effect. The salt water also helps to reduce inflammation by drawing out excess fluid and reducing swelling in the gums. We only recommend salt water rinses for mild gum infections.
Why do my gums bleed if I’m pregnant?
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes, and some of these can affect your gums. One big reason your gums might bleed is because of hormones. During pregnancy, your body produces more of a hormone called progesterone. This hormone helps your baby grow, but it can also make your gums more sensitive to plaque, the sticky film of bacteria on your teeth.
When plaque builds up, it can irritate your gums, making them swollen, tender, and more likely to bleed, especially when you brush or floss. This condition is called “pregnancy gingivitis.” It’s pretty common and usually happens in the second trimester.
How can I strengthen my gums naturally?
You can follow these tips to strengthen your gums:
- Improve Your Oral Care Routine: Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your gums strong. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you brush along the gumline to remove plaque that can irritate your gums. Floss to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Use Mouthwash: You can add an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash to your routine. Mouthwash helps reduce plaque and fights bacteria that cause gum disease. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds after brushing and flossing for extra protection.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: What you eat can affect your gum health. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy products, help keep your gums strong. Vitamin C helps prevent gum inflammation and bleeding.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can harm your gums. It also keeps your mouth moist. Dry mouth can increase the risk of gum disease.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking is one of the worst things for your gums. It reduces blood flow to your gums and makes it harder for them to heal and stay healthy. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to rebuild and strengthen your gums.
Can gums bleed because of stress?
Stress is a leading factor in gum bleeding. It can weaken the immune system and lower the body’s ability to fight infection. Stress also raises the levels of a hormone called cortisol in the body. High cortisol levels can cause inflammation in the gums and throughout the body.
Can dehydration cause bleeding gums?
Not drinking enough water can make your gums weak and more likely to bleed. This raises your risk of cavities and infections. You can drink water before and after meals to rinse away food and bacteria.
Staying hydrated also helps your mouth produce more saliva. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and washes away food and germs to prevent plaque buildup. When you’re dehydrated, your mouth gets dry. A dry mouth can irritate your gums and make them bleed more easily.
Improve Your Gum Health
Schedule a gum disease screening today. Visit Dechter and Moy Dentistry to treat bleeding gums in Silver Spring, MD. Call us today at (301) 508-9755. You can also request an appointment online.
Let us know if you have questions about your gum problems. We will be happy to help.