Having clean and healthy gums is crucial to supporting your oral health. Our gums are connected to the rest of our bodies via nerves and veins. If your gums aren’t healthy, then you could even face other significant health problems, such as heart disease. Bleeding gums in Rockland County, NY, can often be an early warning sign of gum disease. If not treated quickly, gum disease can spread and cause worsening dental conditions. After examining your mouth to determine what stage of gum disease, if any, you have, your dentist can recommend the best course of action for treatment.
Other Causes of Bleeding Gums in Rockland County, NY
Not every case of bleeding gums points directly to gum disease. It’s common for gums to bleed after certain dental procedures or even if you just have a piece of food stuck between your teeth. If you do notice your gums bleeding, try flossing and rinsing the area with warm water. If the bleeding persists or becomes commonplace while brushing, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your dentist to have your gums examined.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease comes in a few different stages, each requiring different kinds of treatment. If you’re proactive about seeing a dentist when you notice your gums bleeding, you may only be in the early stage. This early stage, known as gingivitis, is a fairly common affliction many patients have. Because the gum disease hasn’t spread too far or deep yet, you may be able to treat it with some simple oral hygiene measures. Adding an antibacterial mouthwash to your routine, for example, may be enough to help keep your gums healthy and strong.
Treatment for Advanced Gum Disease
If your gum disease advances to the periodontitis stage, you may need more invasive treatment. Scaling & root planing is a form of deep cleaning for your gums that can often remove a majority of the disease. Once you’ve undergone periodontal therapy, you’ll need to stay on top of your gum health to prevent further complications. To help, your dentist will likely schedule you for periodontal maintenance appointments between your routine cleanings.
Laser Dentistry
In some cases, you may be able to treat gum disease with laser dentistry. Laser dentistry is often a safer and quicker way to treat bleeding gums. The laser can remove the infected tissue, helping to prevent future cases of infection. While removed gum tissue will never fully grow back, laser dentistry does encourage a natural healing process that helps reduce recovery time after treatment.
If you notice your gums are bleeding, the sooner you act, the better. At Cosmetic Dentistry Associates, we have a variety of treatment options available for all stages of gum disease. Call us today at (845) 241-0656 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we may be able to help your gums.