Treating And Avoiding
Bleeding Gums

A little bit of blood on a toothbrush is no big deal, right? Wrong! Blood while brushing or flossing, or swollen, sore gums, are evidence of gum disease. If gum disease is not treated, it can lead to serious dental consequences including tooth loss.

If you have symptoms of gum swelling, tenderness, or bleeding, you need to visit your Glen Waverley dentist as soon as possible.

Why Do Gums Bleed?

• Plaque – the short answer is often, “plaque”. If bacteria isn’t removed,
  it leads to the growth of plaque and calculus, which then attack the
  gums surrounding the teeth. This causes irritation, which can lead to
  swelling and bleeding.At the first step of gum disease this is known
  as gingivitis. The good news is that this kind of gum disease is easily treatable. However, choosing to ignore the bleeding is very unwise. As gum disease progresses gums become swollen, red, painful, and begin to bleed. Eventually, teeth may become loose.
• Medications – Blood thinning medications, among others, are implicated in bleeding gums. Because they decrease the ability of blood to clot, they can lead to easier bleeding.
• New Toothbrush or Flossing Routine – Switching to a firmer toothbrush or changing your flossing routine can lead to inflamed or bleeding gums.
• Pregnancy Gingivitis – surprisingly, some pregnant women experience swollen gums and bleeding during brushing. Hormonal changes during pregnancy alter the body’s response to the bacteria that causes gum disease.

Treating Swollen Or Bleeding Gums

Good dental habits at home can remove much of the soft plaque, but a cleaning by your EK Dental Surgery dentist is needed to remove calcified plaque (tartar or calculus). Your dentist or hygienist can also teach you proper brushing and home techniques; most people think brushing and flossing are ‘simple’ but there are right and wrong ways to do them.

If periodontal disease is advanced, deep cleaning or other treatments for gum disease may be needed. In very advanced cases periodontal surgery is required.

The good news is that catching it early makes treatments simple, and your EK Dental Surgery dentist can help you with any level of gum disease.

Year-Round Oral Health At EK Dental Surgery in Glen Waverley

If you are having gum issues, or want to keep your smile healthy and beautiful, make an appointment today! EK Dental Surgery offers a wide range of preventative and cosmetic dental procedures that will help you achieve the smile of your dreams, for the holidays and beyond!

Pay No Gap for Exam, Scale and Clean, and Fluoride Treatment for Medibank, Bupa and HCF.

Book your appointment online or call us on (03) 9887 8787 today. EK Dental Surgery is conveniently located on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.

Our Special Offers

At EK Dental Surgery, our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. We treat gum disease, tooth, jaw, and cosmetic issues to ensure that your smile and dental health in tiptop shape.

To discover more, visit our special offers page today!