If your gums are bleeding you may have scratched your gums on crunchy food or flossed too hard. As long as the bleeding is minimal and does not occur frequently, there is little need for concern. However, if you experience bleeding gums on a daily basis, they may be a sign of a more serious dental health concern. New Bern, NC dentist Dr. Stephen Hoard recommends patients experiencing frequent bleeding gums to schedule a visit to the dentist. Gum disease treatment in New Bern, NC, can treat inflamed and bleeding gums.
Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, affects three out of four Americans at some point. Only 3% of those affected get treatment before it’s too late. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, so early care is key. Dr. Stephen Hoard, a general dentist in New Bern, NC, offers comprehensive treatment options to prevent and manage gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by bacteria and debris trapped below the gum line in the periodontal pockets between the gum and tooth. These bacteria can cause irritation and inflammation, attacking the tissue and causing it to erode.
Gum disease is a silent disease. It often exhibits no signs or symptoms and typically goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction is unbearable. A chronic and often painless bacterial infection, gum disease that is left untreated can cause tooth loss.
For patients who have established a routine of dental cleanings and examinations, gum disease can often be caught in the earliest stages. Bacteria can be cleaned from the gum pockets, preventing gum disease from erupting.
How Do I know If I have Gum Disease?
Bleeding gums is a common sign of gum disease. Gum disease is a common advanced dental concern caused by a bacterial infection in the gums. Gum disease is progressive and when left untreated can lead to systemic health concerns. It is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent gum disease from developing into more complex concerns.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, which is common but mild and affects more than half of the population. It can cause swollen, bleeding, or irritated gums and is often detected by chronic halitosis. Regular dental cleanings can help keep gum inflammation under control. Cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums.
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that has been linked to serious medical conditions like heart disease, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s. Diagnosing and treating periodontitis as early as possible can help prevent the need for costly and time-consuming restorative dental procedures—and even tooth loss. Dr. Hoard offers routine dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, and laser dentistry for periodontitis.
Know The Signs of Gum Disease
Commongum disease symptoms include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Loose or shifted teeth
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Changes in the fit of dentures
- Mouth sores
If you already have signs or painful symptoms of gum disease, you may need more intense treatment. Depending on your case, Dr. Hoard will recommend the most conservative treatment method possible.
Preventing Gum Disease
Daily oral hygiene is key to a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing twice a day can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Just make sure you don’t brush or floss too hard, because that can cause bleeding gums.
Routine oral health is the best prevention against developing gum disease. Bi-annual dental checkups can also help keep teeth and gums in top shape and allow for early detection and intervention of advanced oral health concerns.
Gum Disease FAQs
Learn more about gum disease treatment in our New Bern, NC office. Read answers to these common questions about gum disease below:
Is gum disease contagious?
No. Getting gum disease from kissing or sharing saliva with someone is uncommon. Gum disease is progressive, so you must develop gum disease in your mouth. Gum disease is not transferable through blood.
Can you cure gum disease?
In its early stages, a periodontist can help you reverse and treat gum disease. Early-stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, is treatable and reversible with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning.
However, advanced gum disease is more challenging to treat. While you can manage gum disease effectively, a dentist cannot cure it. Therefore, early detection and treatment are important.
Do I need surgery to cure gum disease?
Most patients do not need oral surgery to cure their gum disease. Oral surgery is only necessary when the disease has evolved to advanced periodontitis. Surgery may be for your if you experience deteriorating gums and tooth loss.
Can flossing reverse gum disease?
No. Flossing can’t completely reverse advanced gum disease on its own. However, regular flossing can reduce early signs of gingivitis and help stop its progression to periodontitis.
Overall, diligent flossing and brushing can help you manage gum disease.
How painful is gum disease treatment?
The pain a patient feels during gum treatment can vary, depending on the severity of the disease and the procedure type.
Basic treatments like scaling and root planing may cause mild discomfort, similar to deep cleaning. On the other hand, more advanced procedures, such as surgical treatments, may cause more discomfort. However, periodontists use local anesthesia to numb the area and minimize pain during treatment.
Will gums grow back after gum disease?
If you have gum recession, your gums cannot grow back. Gum disease damages supporting tissue and bone structure, leading to gum recession.
So, while treatment and good oral hygiene can halt the progression of periodontitis, the lost gum tissue will not grow back. However, surgical procedures like gum grafting and pinhole surgery help restore the gum line and protect exposed tooth roots. Our office may recommend gum surgery if you lose enough gum tissue.
Treat Your Gum Health
If you think you may have gum disease at any stage, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hoard for a complete oral health checkup. You may also call Dr. Hoard’s New Bern dental office at (252) 507-0373.
Let us know if you have any more questions about gum disease. We’re here to help.