Many patients complain that their gums bleed easily, especially when they brush. They may say they have "weak" gums but what they have is a disease - gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease.
It's said that gum disease is the most common disease in the world. Well, over 90% of the population has some form of gum problem. The cause of it is something we've all heard about - it's called plaque. Plaque is a yellowish, soft collection of food debris and bacteria which sticks to the surface of teeth and gums. All of us have some plaque in our mouth and we are supposed to remove it everyday when we clean our teeth.. However there are often some areas which are difficulty to clean well, and the plaque accumulated will gradually harden into calculus, which is commonly known as tartar. Now imagine all that bacteria sitting on the teeth and especially at the gum margin all the time, and you can understand why the gums are irritated and inflamed. They become red and swollen and will bleed at the slightest touch. If this continues for many years, the gum and bone support around the teeth will be affected and the teeth may eventually be shaky.
So, what can we do about bleeding gums?
First, it is important to have a scaling done by your dentist to remove the calculus or tartar. Any poor or rough fillings which encourage plaque growth should be replaced or polished. After that it's up to you to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily. If you're not sure whether you are brushing correctly, ask your dentist for advice. Remember to choose a small, soft brush with dense bristles and to change it at least 2-3 months. Flossing is important too as it's the best way to clean in between teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach.
Some pregnant women find that their gums may bleed more easily, but this usually gets better after the birth of the child. For most of us, only the dirty areas will bleed, the clean areas don't. The solution therefore is a simple scaling and a bit more time spent cleaning your teeth. Within a few days, you'll see a difference and realise that you too can have healthy gums.
So, what can we do about bleeding gums?