{"id":259,"date":"2020-02-19T20:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T20:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/?p=259"},"modified":"2025-04-30T13:15:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:15:20","slug":"gum-disease-awareness-month-bleeding-gums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/gum-disease-awareness-month-bleeding-gums\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth Behind Your Bleeding Gums"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you find a bit of\nblood on your toothbrush or your dental floss, you might think it\u2019s no big deal\nat first. But if it keeps happening, you should definitely take notice.\nBleeding gums are not normal; in fact, they\u2019re most likely a sign that an\ninfection has formed in your mouth. If you\u2019re not careful, you may eventually\nend up with an incomplete smile as well as a variety of health issues. Take\nadvantage of Gum Disease Awareness Month by learning more about the real reason\nwhy your gums bleed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Do Gums Bleed Easily During Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) likely means\nthat the plaque that constantly builds up in your mouth has not been cleaned\naway adequately. The germs in plaque will attacks the gum tissue protecting the\nroots of your teeth, causing it to become inflamed and irritated. As a result,\nyour gums will be very sensitive and more likely to bleed when prodded by your\ntoothbrush or dental floss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Ignore Bleeding Gums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early gum disease is often painless; your bleeding gums\nmight very well be the only sign that there\u2019s something wrong. However, the\nlonger you wait to have your gums treated, the worse the infection will become.\nEventually the gums will separate from the teeth and pull back, forming periodontal\npockets where bacteria and germs can become trapped and start to attack the\njawbone. When enough bone is destroyed, you could lose some of your teeth\naltogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of your body could be in danger as well. The\ninflammation that occurs in your gums could also spread to other areas once\noral bacteria enter the bloodstream (which they\u2019ll certainly have a chance to\ndo if your gums keep bleeding). Studies suggest that this could be a\ncontributing factor to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even\npregnancy complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should You Do If Your Gums are Bleeding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early gum disease is relatively simple to treat and even\nreverse, but only if you act quickly. Make an appointment with your dentist as\nsoon as you notice any bleeding, especially if it\u2019s accompanied by loose teeth,\nbad breath, and swollen gums. Improving your oral hygiene will likely be an\nimportant part of your treatment, so be sure to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n