It’s easy to get alarmed when you notice streaks of blood in your toothpaste spit. This usually indicates bleeding gums or other underlying dental conditions. But with no pain and visible cuts, you’re likely to dismiss the situation as benign and something that will go away on its own. However, doing so may work to your detriment.
Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing your teeth is one of the major indicators of gum disease. This is a condition caused by the build-up of bacteria in the gums, leading to puffy, swollen, and bleeding gums. If left unchecked, gum disease can spiral out of control and lead to tooth loss.
So, are bleeding gums an emergency? Keep reading to find out.
The reason for bleeding gums varies from patient to patient, but most patients get bleeding gums because they neglect proper oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss your teeth and gums puts your gums at risk of bacterial infection.
Bacteria first form a thin, sticky layer of bacteria called plaque. Over time, this layer hardens into tartar, which you cannot brush or floss away. Eventually, the bacteria infect the gums, leading to gum disease and bleeding gums.
Patients can also get bleeding gums from scraping or piercing their gums, usually when eating bony foods or from physical trauma from a fall, accident, or sports. In such cases, the cut area forms a clot and heals by itself in a couple of days.
That said, you may also experience bleeding gums from the following:-
The decision on whether you should visit an emergency dentist after you notice your gums bleeding depends on your specific situation. If your gums bleed every month or every four months while brushing your teeth, you might not need an emergency dental visit.
However, if they bleed every time you brush and floss your teeth, schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as you can. This is especially true if you also have puffy, receding, and red gums.
An emergency dentist will first examine your bleeding gums to diagnose the issue. Examination usually involves inspecting the gums and taking X-rays of your teeth and gums to check for any jawbone deterioration. If diagnosed with gum disease, the dentist will create a treatment plan to address the condition and stop the bleeding gums.
The treatment for gum disease usually involves:
Patients with severe gum disease might require surgical intervention like gum and bone grafting or pocket reduction surgery. Your dentist will decide the best treatment or combination of treatments for your particular case.
Your gum health might be in jeopardy if your gums bleed every time you brush or floss your treat. By scheduling an emergency dental appointment, you can receive the necessary treatment to not only stop the bleeding gums but also address other underlying health conditions for optimal dental health.
ContactThe Local Dentist if your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. The earlier you act, the better it is for your dental health.
