Bleeding Gums

Learn the proper way to brush and floss while receiving the best preventive care by visiting Dr. Victoria Kushensky at Hutchinson Metro Dental twice a year in Bronx, NY. If you notice that your gums are bleeding, seek treatment as soon as possible to stop the progression of gum disease in its tracks.

As you brush, you may notice a touch of blood in the sink when you rinse and spit. You may even find more blood when you floss, especially if it’s been a while since your last dentist visit. Pay attention to the condition of your gums, since disregarding warning signs like bleeding can lead to serious dental problems. While Dr. Victoria Kushensky at Hutchinson Metro Dental inspects your teeth and gums during your bi-annual cleaning he always asks if you’ve seen any blood — even occasionally.

Although your teeth are the most visible part of your mouth, the gums represent the foundation of your teeth. Just as plants suffer from poor soil, your teeth suffer from poor gum health. Slight bleeding usually represents a need for more attention to care. Early detection can prevent more serious dental concerns later. Up to 60 percent of Americans have bleeding gums, but many believe that it’s just a normal phenomenon. It’s not!

Symptoms and Causes of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease has several early warning signs. Bleeding gums, receding gums, swollen gums and unexplained bad breath are common signals that you’re developing gum disease. Without treatment, bleeding gums and gum disease result in loosened and even lost teeth. It’s estimated that as many as 50 percent of adults have some form of periodontal disease. Bleeding gums is often the first sign.

Most often caused by plaque and the bacteria trapped between your gums and teeth, bleeding gum symptoms can be reversed if treated quickly by a professional. A mild form of gum disease, called gingivitis, usually reveals itself as slight swelling in your gums, some tenderness and occasional bleeding. As gum disease progresses, though, it changes into a more serious disease called periodontitis, which leads to loosened teeth and infections.

Bleeding gums can also be a symptom of other disorders or diseases. After tackling the dental condition that underlies your bleeding gums, Dr. Victoria Kushensky, your family cosmetic and implant dentist serving Bronx, NY, may talk to you regarding a vitamin K deficiency, bleeding disorders, blood thinners, hormonal changes or leukemia. In short, don’t ignore your bleeding gums.

Laser Treatment for Gum Bleeding

With gum disease, your gums become inflamed, which is why they’re susceptible to bleeding and infection. A laser allows your dentist to effectively and painlessly remove the infected tissue. Then he can do a deep cleaning to get rid of all the accumulated plaque causing your bleeding gums.

Seek laser treatment from an experienced family dentist like Dr. Victoria Kushensky in Bronx, NY to prevent any side effects. Dr. Kushensky and his caring staff at Hutchinson Metro Dental provides the latest techniques, sterile conditions, a comfortable atmosphere and a steady hand to ensure the success of every procedure. Benefits of laser treatment for gum bleeding include:

• Accuracy. The advanced technology allows your East Bronx dentist to target specific areas accurately.
• Mild sedation. No general anesthesia is required, as is the case with more invasive dental procedures.
• Less pain. Swelling, excessive bleeding and pain are significantly reduced when you rely on Dr. Kushensky’s expertise and experience.
• Quick recovery. You can get back to your normal activities within a day with minimal discomfort.

How to Stop Bleeding Gums and Bad Breath

The bacteria causing bleeding gums also are responsible for bad breath. Treatment for bleeding gums and bad breath go hand in hand. The first line of defense for preventing and stopping bleeding gums and halitosis in the earliest stages is to improve your daily oral hygiene routine by:

• Brushing after meals with special anti-gingivitis toothpaste. Use a soft-bristle brush that you should replace every three months. The careful removal of tartar, combined with gentle stimulation of your gums, increases blood supply and encourages healing.
• Flossing at least once a day. This removes plaque and tartar below the gum line that your toothbrush can’t reach, while providing additional stimulating effects for your gums.
• Rinsing daily, if not every time you brush, with a specialized mouthwash that targets and helps break up tartar.
• Visiting your family dentist every six months for professional cleaning, which allows him to monitor your gums. Dr. Victoria Kushensky is a family cosmetic and implant specialist, so he does it all for you and your whole family.
• Avoiding tobacco products to protect your gums from their damaging effects.
• Eating healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, for the gum-stimulating properties you receive as you chew. The nutrients give your gums the tools they need to regenerate and remain healthy.
• Developing good sleep habits and practicing stress-reducing activities to give your body a chance to rejuvenate and heal.

Your gums provide a useful early warning system when changes in your body affect your oral health and your general well-being. A lack of appropriate nutrients, poor oral hygiene habits and smoking are prime culprits in the development of bad breath and bleeding gums. Don’t take bleeding gums lightly; contact Dr. Victoria Kushensky for an exam today. Hutchinson Metro Dental serves all of Bronx, NY from the office in Bronx, NY.