This Dental Health Week, let’s address an important question: are your gums trying to tell you something?
If you’ve noticed bleeding when you brush or floss, or if your gums look different from usual, it’s time to pay attention. These signs could indicate gum disease, a common yet serious oral health issue.
Do Your Gums Bleed?
Healthy gums don’t bleed. Bleeding gums are often one of the first signs of gum disease.
If you see blood when brushing or flossing, it’s a sign that your gums are not happy. This condition, known as gingivitis is caused by the buildup of plaque – a sticky biofilm of bacteria that irritates the gum tissue.
Signs of Gingivitis:
red, swollen gums
bleed very easily (especially with brushing and flossing)
bad breath
Do Your Gums Look Different?
Changes in the appearance of your gums can also be a red flag. Healthy gums should be firm, pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. Some changes linked to gingivitis include:
receding gums: if your gums are pulling away from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth or even the root, this could indicate gum disease.
puffy or swollen gums: inflamed gums may look puffy / swollen and may feel tender to the touch
discolouration: gums that are red, purple, or have a bluish tint can be a sign of gum disease.
At this stage, gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene in conjunction with professional cleaning with your dental provider.
Periodontal Disease
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress further to periodontal disease, which is a much more severe form of gum disease. At this stage, it is irreversible and you will have it for the rest of your life.
Periodontal disease affects the tissues that support our teeth – including the bone, and can lead to tooth loss if not managed properly.
Signs of Periodontal Disease:
persistent bad breath
loose teeth
bad breath
puffy gums
bleeding when brushing
Regular Dental Visits
If you’ve ever had a comprehensive or routine examination with us at Floss Family Dental, we would have ‘poked’ your gums. This is how we check that your gums are nice and healthy. We use a thin, blunt instrument called a periodontal probe to measure your gums.
Healthy gums typically have pockets of 1-3mm. Depths that are greater than this may indicate gum disease. As periodontal disease progresses, these pockets deepen which harbour bacteria and lead to further tissue damage, eventually causing tooth loss.
By checking your gum health every 6 months, your Floss Dentist or Oral Health Therapist can detect gum disease early. Remember, a lot can happen in 6 months!
While periodontal disease is irreversible, it can be managed and controlled with professional treatment & maintaining great oral hygiene at home. The treatment includes a deep cleaning, generally with local anaesthetic.
What You Can Do
If you notice any of these signs, or are concerned about this happening to you, you can:
schedule a dental visit: early diagnosis and treatment are very important. You can save yourself a lot of money & time by intervening early, when it is still reversible.
improve your oral hygiene: brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily can help reduce plaque and bacteria.
adopt healthy habits: eat a balanced, healthy diet, avoid smoking, and manage stress as these factors can influence gum health.
Take Charge of Your Oral Health
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. This Dental Health week, take a closer look at your gums and recognise the signs of gum disease. At Floss Family Dental, we are very passionate about preventive dentistry – the more you can do at home will help you in the long run! Your gums are a crucial part of your overall health, and taking proactive steps can prevent more serious issues down the road.
If you have any concerns about your gum health, book now.
