During your daily brushing, you’ve begun to notice pink in the sink. It seems your gums may be bleeding; however, you don’t notice any pain in your gums or teeth, so should you be concerned?
The answer is – Yes! And here’s why.
Bleeding Gums Can Indicate More Significant Problems
Your gums are one of the main support systems for your teeth, and when they bleed, it’s an indicator that they’re not healthy. It could, in fact, be one of the first signs of gum disease.
Gum disease is an infection of your gums and eventually the bone that supports your teeth. If this condition is left untreated, it can result in tooth loss. Unfortunately, gum disease happens to be the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding during brushing or flossing, it’s time to make an appointment with your dentist for a checkup.
Diagnosing Gum Disease
Gum disease is tricky to diagnose on your own because there are few signs or symptoms in the beginning. Believe it or not, there’s hardly any pain at first as well. But as it progresses, gum disease does quite a bit of damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw bone, which is why consistent visits to your Hillsboro dentist for checkups and teeth cleanings every six months can help you protect your smile.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. If you suffer from gingivitis, you might experience gums that bleed when you brush or appear red and swollen. In addition, chronic bad breath that you can’t get rid of with mouth wash or brushing is also a sign of gingivitis.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. You may notice that you feel pain or tenderness when you chew or eat food with this condition. Your teeth may also start to feel mobile.
At Smith Dental, we focus on preventive dentistry to protect you from gums disease and tooth decay problems. With dental offices located in Hillsboro, Aloha, and Forest Grove, OR, we make it convenient to care for your dental needs. Contact us today!