You may be on top of brushing your teeth and looking after them, but do you pay the same kind of attention to your gums? Many patients make the mistake of ignoring them, and if left untreated it can become a lot worse. Gums offer vital support to your teeth and are essential to your overall oral health.

If you’ve been having problems with your gums, it’s a sign that something’s not right and that you haven’t been caring for them properly. Bleeding gums in particular should be treated seriously. We’re going to talk about what this problem is and what to do about it if you’re experiencing it.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are not normal, and it should cause you to take appropriate action. Unfortunately it’s a relatively common problem so you shouldn’t panic if you experience it. It is a sign of gum disease and should be looked at by your dentist and if necessary a Phoenix Periodontist such as Dr. Trujillo.

If you aren’t yet experiencing bleeding gums but you want to make sure that you never do, brushing twice a day and flossing daily, as well as attending regular dental checkups, will help with that. Don’t miss your checkups or skip dental appointments because it’ll make problems like this more likely.

The Causes of Bleeding Gums

The most common cause of bleeding gums is plaque that builds up along the gumline. This carries millions of bacteria and can develop into gingivitis. This is a mild gum disease that leads to more serious forms of gum disease when it goes untreated. That’s why getting treatment is so crucial if you experience bleeding gums.

Other things might cause gum disease, such as vitamin K deficiency, diabetes, dry mouth, or taking blood thinners for example. But the most common thing that causes bleeding gums is plaque which can be prevented with good oral hygiene. 

Some Treatments Used to Stop Bleeding Gums

Many things can help treat and prevent bleeding gums. First and foremost, you should make sure that you brush often. It can help to brush with a specific type of anti-gingivitis toothpaste. Flossing daily will also help so be sure to do this.

Smoking damages your gums, so if you’re already having problems with them, you should definitely see if you can stop smoking and cut out tobacco entirely. It’ll also help if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce stress, and eat a balanced diet. And above all else, come see Dr. Trujillo and get professional support when you need it.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you’re unsure about what to do about this problem and you want to make sure that the right approach is taken, simply get in touch and arrange an appointment. We’ll be more than happy to discuss the problem with you and schedule an appointment where you can be assessed and have treatment provided.

Gum bleaching is a cosmetic procedure that improves the look of your gums. Patients might choose gum bleaching if they have discoloration of their gums, which they feel affects the quality of their smile. Pigmentation on your gums doesn’t affect the health of your teeth or gums, but you might feel that it’s unsightly. If you want to have pink gums that don’t have darker coloration, gum bleaching is an option that you might consider. It lightens the gums using a relatively quick process that produces permanent results. Gum bleaching might be one of the cosmetic treatments you consider if you want to improve the look of your gums.

What Is Gum Bleaching?

Gum bleaching or gingival depigmentation is a cosmetic dental treatment that is designed to lighten dark spots on your gums. It targets dark and black spots to remove melanin, or the dark pigmentation, and make the gums a uniform shade of pink. Gum bleaching can be carried out using a whitening solution and microdermabrasion or using the more modern method of laser treatment. When the microdermabrasion method is used, a whitening gel is applied first and the cells containing more melanin are then gently buffed away. Both types of treatment are safe but it’s important to consider the integrity of your gums. There is a risk of exposing the root surfaces due to the thinness of gum tissue. We will discuss the best option for you together.

Why Might You Have Dark Gums?

Dark spots on your gums can appear for a number of reasons. Gums can become discolored due to poor oral health, particularly over a longer period of time. Personal habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco can also have an affect on the color of your gums. Smoking can also raise your risk of developing gum disease. Some people can find that they develop pigmentation on their gums due to certain medications that they take. Another factor is ethnicity, with people with darker skin are more likely to have darker spots on their gums.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Gum bleaching may offer you some advantages if you want to improve the look of your smile. However, there are also some disadvantages and some things that might make you unsuitable for the treatment. Gum bleaching can give you the pink gums that you want so that you can enjoy your smile more if you don’t currently like the way it looks. However, it’s also important to remember that it’s a purely cosmetic procedure.

Is Gum Bleaching Right for You?

Gum bleaching is not suitable for a number of patients. Those who have discoloration of their gums due to periodontal disease do not have a surface pigment problem and need to have the disease treated.. If you have thin gums or prominent tooth roots, gum bleaching is not suitable because it can cause ongoing sensitivity. It’s essential to have healthy gums before undergoing a gum bleaching procedure. Schedule an appointment with us for an exam and consultation today.