Do your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth? Bleeding gums are a common symptom of gum disease or periodontitis. At Totally Smiles, we offer routine screenings for gum disease in Gaithersburg, MD. Dr. Corey Anolik and Dr. Steven Anolik offer treatment for bleeding gums and other signs of gum disease.
Regular brushing and flossing are imperative to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. When you don’t brush or floss your teeth, you accumulate plaque. The bacteria from the plaque can cause inflammation and irritation in the gums, which leads to gingivitis. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and can be marked by bleeding gums. We can help prevent the progression of gum disease in its earliest stages. If your gums bleed when brushing and flossing, schedule a dental appointment in our office. We can help keep your teeth and gums healthy even at routine dental visits.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Along with bleeding gums, patients who have early stages of a gum infection may have:
- Bad breath
- Toothaches
- Tender gums
- Red or purple-tinged gums
As gum disease progresses, patients can experience:
- Gum recession
- Tooth loss
- Gum sensitivity
Please contact our office if you have experienced any signs of gum inflammation or disease. Bleeding gums, if left untreated, can lead to more severe symptoms, including receding gums and bone loss.
Treating Bleeding Gums
The best way to reverse bleeding gums is to brush and floss twice a day. Flossing before brushing your teeth can help remove bacteria from between the teeth for a deeper clean.
At routine dental appointments, our dental hygienists can remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can build up in the mouth. Over time, plaque can harden to form tartar. It is more difficult to remove tartar, but our hygienists use special dental tools to clean tartar from the gums. For patients with more moderate symptoms of gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing. These treatments remove plaque and tartar from the gums and tooth roots. Scaling and root planing keep the teeth and gums healthy and prevent bone loss.
Request a Dental Consultation
Have you noticed signs of gum inflammation or infection? Contact Drs. Anolik for treatment today. New patients can call 301-701-5861 and current patients may contact us at 301-948-8838. You may also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website.