Bleeding Gums - That's Not Normal

Bleeding of Gums when Brushing or Flossing

It is not normal when gums bleed when brushing and flossing. “In fact, it signals that a disease process has begun,” says Dr. Judith Ko from Hemet Valley Dental Care in Hemet, California. Think about it. If bleeding occurred anywhere else on the body, you’d be concerned. You’d probably visit a doctor to determine what was going on.

For some reason many of us do not consider bleeding in the mouth the same way, but we should. Bleeding of the gums while doing routine maintenance – brushing and flossing – signals infection. We also know that not treating an infection of the body is not in our best interest. Infection causes our body to be depleted of energy – this also rings true when it’s an infection of the gum tissue. “The recommended treatment for bleeding gums is called root planing and scaling. Once this process is completed, many patients remark on how they feel better over all and experience higher energy levels,” adds Dr. Ko.

So at the first signs of bleeding, see your dentist.

Electrical Toothbrush or Manual. Which One Should You Choose?

The best brush is the one you will use, is certainly true, but there may be other reasons to consider the use of either a manual or electric toothbrush.

Brushing is a well-known part of keeping teeth healthy, along with flossing, but the brush you use can make a difference in your ability to remove the plaque that forms into tartar and calculus and then harbors the bacteria that infects and causes periodontal disease. “The best brush is the one that is comfortable to use, allows you to get into every corner of your mouth and removes the plaque without removing enamel,” says Dr. Judith Ko, one of your Inland Empire Top Dentists and a cosmetic dentist in Hemet, California.

“An electric toothbrush tends to be better for those patients who have dexterity challenges, which means they have difficulty accessing parts of the mouth and using motor skills to gently move the brush in circles,” adds Dr. Ko.

When choosing either type of brush look for the following:

1. A brush head that tapers at the end to make accessing those hard to reach back areas of the mouth easier.
2. Soft bristles that will allow for the removal of plaque, but will not damage gum tissue or remove tooth enamel.
3. A handle that feels comfortable in the hand – not too big or bulky or heavy if electric and not shaped strangely if a manual toothbrush.

Remember when choosing a toothbrush comfort means that you’ll probably use it regularly – a benefit for keeping your teeth healthy long term.

Gums – Frames for Your Teeth!

Your gums are the frames for your teeth and keeping them happy and healthy is a sure way to keep your smile bright.

“The first thing to keep in mind about gum health is seeing your dentist on a regular basis,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet CaliforniaGeneral and Cosmetic Dental Practice. “Your dentist makes the decision of frequency based on many factors including decay activity, bone loss, calculus and buildup of plaque. Your dental insurance benefit plan is looking at the general population, not you as an individual.” So if your dentist is recommending you come in more frequently, you’ll be better off taking their advice.

To keep gums and teeth happy brushing and flossing is a must. As is using the right brush. “It doesn’t matter whether you use a manual brush or electric brush,” adds Dr. Ko, “as long as the bristles are soft and the ends of the bristles rounded.” Use a gentle circular motion when brushing to remove debris and never a back and forth motion as you are more likely to damage tissue and remove enamel.

Finally, remember the floss. Flossing plays a major role in gum health. Find the right floss that works for you. Then gently work the floss between teeth, moving it up and down around the surfaces of each tooth.

Keeping your gums healthy this year will result in a beautiful smile that will last you a lifetime.