Gums that bleed when you brush are usually a sign that you have periodontal (gum) disease caused by a buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria on your teeth. Brushing and flossing twice a day helps control this buildup; but if you don’t brush well or skip teeth cleanings at our Circleville, OH dental office, these bacteria can cause an infection.
Aside from bleeding gums, other common symptoms of gum disease are:
- Tender, inflamed, or swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose
- A change in your dental bite
We need to treat gum disease at our Circleville, OH dental office as soon as possible. The first stage is called gingivitis, and the good news is that it’s usually easy to treat. A thorough dental cleaning with one of our friendly hygienists and improved brushing and flossing habits on your part is often all that’s needed.
The advanced stage of gum disease is called periodontitis, and the infection starts to attack the bone and tissue that supports your teeth. As it does, your teeth start to loosen, and our dentists may need to remove them. Advanced gum disease also put neighboring teeth at risk, and they may also need to be removed.
Keeping your teeth healthy and avoiding gum disease is much easier than you might think. A healthy, nutritious diet, excellent brushing and flossing habits, and check-ins with us every six months for dental cleanings and exams go a long way toward keeping your teeth healthy and disease-free.
If you have bleeding gums, bad breath, or any of the other symptoms listed above, we can provide the gum disease treatment you need at our Circleville, OH dental office. Please call Ely, Dubos & Stewart General Dentistry to schedule your next dental cleaning and exam.