Your gums bleed?

Gum disease starts silently, then it gets serious

If your gums occasionally bleed while you’re brushing your teeth, you may be tempted to ignore it — but don’t, as it could be a sign of periodontitis, better known as gum disease. It usually starts slowly without pain, and the symptoms can be mild for many years. The first signs are often slight bleeding of the gums, some redness and swelling. But these might be some key signs of what is a chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontium, the tissue that supports the teeth, dentists say. It’s caused by bacteria in plaque which sticks to your teeth and along the gums, hardening into tartar over time and attracting more bacteria. If you don’t get rid of the plaque, your gums may swell in a sign of an immune response. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread to the periodontium over time, leading to a loss of teeth in the worst case scenario.

Periodontitis may not be confined to your mouth, either but can cause inflammation and disease in other parts of the body, with a greater risk of arteriosclerosis, a heart attack or a stroke. The disease can also affect the blood sugar levels of diabetics who are at a higher risk of developing periodontitis. So take any warning signs seriously. If your gums bleed frequently, this could be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of periodontitis.

Have a dentist check your gums, even if you’re not in pain, to prevent periodontitis from developing. Dentists recommend not just cleaning your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, but also using dental floss or an interdental brush. A brush to clean your tongue can also help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. After use, clean the oral care aids under running water and store them in a dry place. Replace your toothbrush every two months. Having regular professional dental cleaning also prevents periodontitis.

THE DISEASE CAN ALSO AFFECT THE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS OF DIABETICS WHO ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING PERIODONTITIS. SO TAKE ANY WARNING SIGNS SERIOUSLY. IF YOUR GUMS BLEED FREQUENTLY, THIS COULD BE A SIGN OF GINGIVITIS, AN EARLY STAGE OF PERIODONTITIS.

PHOTO CREDIT: FRANK RUMPENHORST/DPA Regular professional dental cleanings are a good way to prevent the painful gum problems that can come after periodontitis, which often starts silently.