My gums are bleeding. Not all the time but when I brush my teeth. My sister said I probably have gum disease. Could this be even though I brush my teeth every day? Is there something over the counter I can buy to stop it? Thank you. Camille
Camille – In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you should also floss your teeth daily. Flossing removes food particles that get trapped between your teeth and gums. When food remains trapped, it irritates your gums, breeds bacteria that causes inflammation, and if left untreated, leads to periodontal disease.
Start flossing daily right away. You should also see your dentist. An examination of your gum tissue is required. There may be bacteria between your teeth and gums that you cannot remove simply by flossing.
A dental hygienist has the tools needed to remove deep-seated bacteria. When the bacteria are removed, your gums will begin to heal provided you maintain good oral hygiene. Keeping regular dental cleaning appointments is important to maintaining good oral hygiene. Even when we brush floss daily, as the months go by, plaque can still build up in hard-to-reach areas.
Professional dental cleaning reaches the areas that you cannot, and ensures that your teeth and gums are healthy. After your teeth are cleaned an examined, your dentist may recommend or prescribe a peroxide rinse. But don’t try to remedy the problem yourself without a visit to the dentist.
Some patients have anxiety about dental appointments. If that is your case, search for a gentle dentist who will ensure your visit is pain free. Some dentists offer mild sedation to help you relax and have a productive visit.
This post is sponsored by the San Jose family dentists at Hillsdale Dental Care.
