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Understanding Why Your Gums Bleed When You Brush And Floss

Seeing blood after brushing and flossing can be upsetting. If this has recently become an issue for you, it may be time to look into treatment for gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of a periodontal infection – while it may not be painful, it can cause other worrying issues. Bleeding, sensitivity, and swelling can all become concerns if your periodontal tissues have become infected. At our Seattle, WA dental practice, we can recognize signs of gingivitis during routine dental treatment, and talk to you about how it can be dealt with. If you have symptoms of an infection, we can perform a scaling and root planing to address the matter, and make you more resistant to a future infection.

How Worried Should You Be About Gingivitis?

If you are starting to experience periodontal problems, you should be worried about your overall oral health. This infection is the result of bacteria that have gathered at your gum line, and started to infect these tissues. The good news is that gingivitis can be addressed, and the health of your gums can be restored. What you need to be concerned about is the potential for your infection to worsen to periodontitis. At this stage, the problem becomes more difficult to manage. Periodontitis sufferers can have a harder time managing their overall health, and they are more likely to lose teeth over time!

Taking Care Of Periodontal Problems Through Professional Dental Care

When you attend regular dental exams, your dentist wants to assess more than just the health of your teeth. During your evaluation, your periodontal health is also being observed. If you show signs of gingivitis, a scaling and root planing can be recommended. This procedure goes further than a typical teeth cleaning, as bacteria beneath your gums will be cleared away. This process also includes a polishing of your teeth below the gum line, which can make it more difficult for future bacteria to gather.

What Can You Do To Protect Your Periodontal Health Between Visits?

If you want to avoid oral health troubles like tooth decay and gum disease, you might want to re-evaluate your daily oral care routine. To better fight bacteria buildup, brush at least two times a day, and make sure you are cleaning every surface of every tooth. Flossing also provides meaningful protection, as it gives you the ability to clear away the bacteria gathering between teeth. You should floss at least once a day. When you do so, it is important to move the string vertically, as you can miss your gum line completely by only moving the string back and forth between teeth.

Talk To Ballard Neighborhood Dentist About Your Issues With Gum Bleeding

At Ballard Neighborhood Dentist, we can address gingivitis through a scaling and root planing. We can also offer important routine care, and tips to improve your daily oral care routine, so you can prevent future infections! For more information, please call our Seattle, WA dental practice at 206-789-2555.

Cosmetic, Restorative, and General Dentistry

It is our goal to provide comprehensive dental care for your whole family. Our wide range of services means that you can see us for all of your needs — without having to visit multiple practices to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.