Bleeding gums are often a sign of an infection, like gum disease. Some people may notice mild bleeding when they brush or floss their teeth, however, if the bleeding lasts longer than a couple of days, it could be more serious. If your gums bleed, here is when you should see your dentist. 

Why Gums Bleed 

If your gums bleed frequently, it could be due to minor issues like brushing too hard or not flossing properly, however, it could also signal that there is a more serious health condition. WebMD explains that you could experience bleeding gums if you:

• Have gingivitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the gums
• Brush too hard or your toothbrush isn’t soft enough 
• Just started flossing and your gums aren’t used to it yet
• Take certain medications, like blood thinners 
• Have inflamed gums because you’re pregnant (pregnancy gingivitis)
• Have dentures that don’t fit well
• Faulty dental restorations 

In any event, if you notice your gums bleeding for more than a day or two, it is best to make an appointment to see your dentist. Seeing your dentist can help rule out any serious conditions, or catch issues before they progress to larger issues that can lead to tooth loss.

Understanding Gingivitis 

One of the main reasons you can experience bleeding gums is due to gingivitis. Gingivitis, also known as inflammation of your gums, occurs due to excessive plaque at the gumline. Other signs that you are developing gingivitis include irritated or sensitive gums, and gums that are red and swollen. Along with these symptoms, you’ll notice bleeding when you brush your teeth. While this is a stage of gum disease, it’s the beginning of it and can be reversed through good oral healthcare and help from a dentist like Dr. Ania. 

Periodontitis 

If you don’t reverse gingivitis, it can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is a long-term condition that harms the tissue and bone that support your teeth. With this stage of gum disease, your gums can become inflamed and infected and begin to separate from the roots of your teeth. When your gums bleed easily, this is often a sign of periodontal disease. After a while, you can experience tooth loss or separation. Other signs of periodontal disease include bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, changes in tooth alignment, and red, sensitive gums. 

Treating Gum Disease 

One of the best ways to stop gum disease is through the use of laser dentistry. Laser dentistry allows Dr. Ania to use diode laser energy to deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been infected by bacteria. 

Soft tissue lasers are pulsed beams of concentrated energy that help Dr. Ania’s patients enhance their gums. The laser performs two main functions: laser decontamination (cleaning) and therapy (vaporization of diseased tissue). The first mode is used even on patients that are healthy to reduce bacteria, however, it is most often used on patients with periodontal disease. 

Further, the use of this laser helps in dramatic bacteria reduction and keeps bacteria from settling. This is a benefit known as ‘delayed recolonization,’ which means that after the bacteria is removed, your gums will have a chance to heal because the tissue is not as susceptible to new bacteria settling in. 

Dr. Ania uses lasers for a variety of conditions, such as:

• Deep cleaning of gingival pockets (laser decontamination)
• Diseased tissue removal (laser-assisted periodontal therapy) 
• Sterilization of root canals
• Gum recontouring (reshaping of the gums for cosmetic purposes)
• Crown lengthening
• Dental implant exposure
• Cold sore treatment
• Laser tooth whitening 

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Rather than using drills, laser dentistry might be the best option if you are someone who hates the noises of the dentist. Colgate explains that you may now be able to have your procedures done with a dental laser rather than a drill. The benefits, they explain, of laser dentistry are:

• Less bleeding
• Reduced pain
• Faster healing period
• Less damage to surrounding tissue
• Reduced chance of infection 

Call Dr. Ania 

If you have bleeding gums, call our office to learn about laser dentistry today. The benefits of choosing laser dentistry also includes extreme precision, which means that Dr. Ania can remove only the diseased tissue without disturbing other areas of the mouth. For quick healing and little-to-no downtime, laser dentistry could be best for you. Please contact our office today to schedule your semi-annual teeth cleaning and see for yourself just how healthy your gums can be.