SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, CA
Noticing pink in the sink when brushing your teeth may cause uneasy feelings. Even though regularly caring for your teeth and gums can help fight against significant bacterial build-up, there are still possibilities for gum infections. Our Santa Cruz family dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry share on the blog today common bleeding gums causes and possible treatments to restore gum health.
What does it mean when I have bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums are often a sign of poor oral care practices and indicate that you should pay more attention to your oral hygiene routine. Although there’s no reason to panic, you should take immediate action to prevent conditions from advancing to gum disease. Even though one in three people believe that bleeding gums are normal, a lack of education on the seriousness of gum disease is a leading cause of nontreatment and tooth loss. Our family dentists in Los Gatos explain that avoiding treatment when you see pink in the sink can lead to oral and overall health risks, like diabetes and heart disease.
What causes bleeding gums?
The most common cause of bleeding gums is harmful plaque that contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria often found around your gum line can develop gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Gingivitis is a treatable condition that requires the knowledge of our experienced Scotts Valley dentists and your willingness to improve oral hygiene habits to eliminate the infection. If you avoid professional treatment, gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, a severe gum disease. Unfortunately, permanent damage to your jaw, teeth, and overall oral health is inevitable once the disease advances to periodontitis.
If you know that you don’t have gingivitis and still see pink in the sink, seek help from your dentist or doctor. Bleeding gums may also result from other health conditions such as vitamin K deficiency, bleeding disorders, hormonal changes, leukemia, or blood thinners. Therefore, it’s vital to your health to determine the cause.
What treatments are available for bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums are directly associated with inadequate plaque removal from your teeth or the gum line. Therefore, establishing a daily oral hygiene regimen of brushing twice a day and flossing once daily is an excellent way to prevent bleeding gums.
Our Santa Cruz dentists who treat gum disease share various treatments below to help you restore your oral health by removing harmful bacteria.
- Floss Daily – Flossing your teeth once a day is an effective method for preventing bleeding gums while promoting good oral health. It removes food debris and plaque hidden under your gum line that could otherwise cause your gums to bleed as bacteria cause gum infections.
- Brush Often – Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush can stimulate gums, help prevent bleeding, and strengthen surrounding tissues that protect your teeth. Furthermore, brushing is the best way to remove the most plaque from tooth surfaces and crevices.
- Avoid Tobacco – Tobacco use may cause irreversible gum damage and drastically increase your risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Therefore, smoking cessation is encouraged for optimal oral health.
- Visit a Dentist Regularly – Regularly visiting your dentist can help by removing harmful plaque responsible for gum disease during your dental cleanings. By removing the plaque and tartar, you can reduce your cavity and gum disease risk. Patients should see their dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle – An active lifestyle filled with a healthy balanced diet can promote good oral health. So, reduce sugar, soda, and alcohol consumption as it can cause or worsen certain oral health conditions.
- Brush with Anti-gingivitis Toothpaste – Specially formulated toothpaste can help neutralize plaque around your gumline. Additionally, some toothpaste brands can also repair weakened tooth enamel. However, no matter which brand you purchase, ensure it has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval.
Dentists in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California
Discovering pink in the sink while brushing your teeth may ignite concern about your oral health. Fortunately, there’s no reason to panic, but you should take action to combat bleeding gums. If your gums bleed severely or don’t stop bleeding, immediately contact our Scotts Valley dental office to schedule an appointment. Our caring dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry will provide effective treatments to help you manage gum infections and prevent future damage. Please call our office at (831) 438-4411 or contact us online today.
