Q&A of the week
- Anonymous asked in the Dental
Health category:
- Anonymous answered:
Actually bleeding gums could be a sign of disease like gingivitis. Get a toothpaste that aids in preventing this or go to your dentist. Also, flossing helps to toughen up gums. That's how the dentist usually knows if you're flossing or not. If you bleed you don't floss!
posted by Billy at 3:25 PM
12 Comments:
As I have learned, the reason for bleeding gums is that you need a professional cleaning because there is inbedded plaque in the gums.
Besides flossing, brush your teeth twice a day and a little longer each time. I find my gums bleed if I miss a day or two of brushing, usually because I was on a camping trip and forgot my brush! Then after a regular brushing routine, they stop bleeding.
Try washing your mouth and gums with warm, not hot, salty water, after brushing your teeth, three or four times a day.
Each of the previous comments make sense and will help. Here's another: I switched to an Oral B electric toothbursh that signals after a two minute brushing. The fact that I am now brushing for the full two minutes, and that I am careful to make sure that I brush the bottom row, then the bottom inside, then the top, and the top inside, from one end to the other has improved my gum condition to an amazing extent. My dentest and his cleaning ladies have all remarked on the difference. It's the time spent brushing, and the attention to each tooth that counts. -- the Oral B also stimulates the gum as I brush. Although I should floss, I must admit that I do not.
Besides brushing your teeth with the appropiate brush at least twice a day, take ascorbic acid in tablets(vitamin C) two or three times a day. In a week or so your bleeding should be controlled.
Advise from a retired dentist. Bleeding gums should be evaluated by a dentist. It could be a symptom of a serious disease.
I agree that flossing is the answer but I recommend a tool called a sulcabrush that allows you to get between the teeth with little brushes and get rid of the debris lodged there. I cured a patch of bleeding gum this way and have not had a recurrence.
For bleeding gums, in addition to flossing and seeing dentist using an interdental brush with the use of a strong mouth wash is very helpful. Dip the brush in the mouth wash or hold the wash in the mouth while using interdental brush.
I would strongly erge you to see your Dentist if your gums are bleeding during normal brushing. There is more than likely a serious build up of plaque under your gums that have sharp edges and therefore cut the soft tissue of your gums quite easily. This build up can eaisly be removed with the ultrasonic equipment that is available today. This should be your fisrt move toward fixing the problem. Take it from the Voice Of Experience!
Ok, sort of summing up what everyone said and a little of my own:
1. Good brushing: At least two minutes, preferably with a good electric if you can afford it, like Oral-B or Sonicare. Two or three times a day.
2. Floss: toughens up the gums and keeps embedded objects out.
3. Antibacterial oral rinses and vitamin supplements (like C) may help. I found hydrogen peroxide solution to be a good rinse for me.
4. If none of these do it for you, get thee to the dentist... although, of course, you should schedule regular cleanings anyway.
I will beg to mildly disagree with some: although bleeding CAN be a sign of a serious problem, it can frequently be cured by home care. And if you can't afford too many expensive dental trips, getting your home care as good as it can be, should be a high priority. Gum disease can open your body to infection - your mouth has to defend you against a whole host of germs. Even if your gums continue to be a problem, regular maintenance care can help reduce your potential for complications.
My son-in-law is a smart recently (5 years ) graduate and he disagrees with me on this but I stopped my bad breath and bleeding gums by brushing, flossing AND using a water pick. He says it drives food material into the gums but I find it drives it out and it massages the gums. I have no bleeding whatsoever when I use my water pick daily. Occasionally I'll take a trip for a week or two and not take my water pick with me and the bleeding comes back or the bad breath comes back. Dennis
And if you use all of these methods and recently had a cleaning, and you still have a receding gum line what is the best solution?
Post a Comment
<< Home