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If you’ve noticed blood in the sink or on your toothbrush after you brush or floss your teeth, it’s a sign you shouldn’t ignore. Strong, healthy gums do not bleed, and one of the most common reasons for bleeding gums is gum disease. 

Gum Disease

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of early gum disease, a condition called gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis is entirely reversible, usually by professionally cleaning your teeth. 

Afterwards, you will need to brush and floss your teeth meticulously to help them recover and gradually, they will stop bleeding.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes can affect your gums, increasing their sensitivity to bacteria. As a result, your gums may swell and will bleed more easily, and which is a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. It’s important to see your dentist regularly during pregnancy, and we can help control these symptoms and offer other advice about how to care for your teeth while you are pregnant.

Medications

Sometimes specific medications such as aspirin and blood thinners can increase the likelihood of bleeding gums. It’s important to tell us if you take these medications so we can provide you with the proper treatment.

Have you noticed your teeth are more sensitive as the weather gets colder? It’s a common complaint. During colder weather, your teeth can contract slightly, potentially causing microcracks that slightly open whenever you bite down, and which can allow unwanted sensations to penetrate your tooth nerves.

Usually, your teeth are protected by tooth enamel, which covers the dentine underneath. Unlike enamel, dentine consists of microscopic tubules which can easily transmit the sensations of hot and cold to your tooth nerves. There are other reasons why your teeth could feel more sensitive and which include:

• Overusing tooth whitening agents that can wear down your enamel. If this is a problem, stop using the product immediately and ask us for help and advice.
• Tooth decay, as an untreated cavity or failing filling will allow cold sensations to penetrate the tooth easily.
• Periodontal or gum disease can expose your tooth roots which aren’t covered with protective tooth enamel, causing sensitivity.
• Brushing your teeth too vigorously can literally wear down your enamel.
• Bruxism or clenching and grinding can crack and wear down your teeth.

If you do have tooth sensitivity, it’s best to have a checkup in case you require dental treatment. Otherwise, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help.

Studies conducted over the past few years show the close links between oral health and your immune system. We now know that when people neglect their oral health, it can detrimentally affect their immune system, increasing the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dementia and respiratory diseases.

Most of these problems are a result of bacterial buildup in your mouth. The warm, moist environment of your mouth couldn’t be better for bacteria to thrive. Additionally, leftover food particles ensure these bacteria have plenty of nutrients. This is why it’s so important to brush and floss daily. 

People who fail to look after their dental health can soon develop gum disease, a bacterial infection that gradually destroys gum tissue, causing gums to bleed readily. As the gums bleed, they allow mouth bacteria to enter the bloodstream, prompting an immune response as the body tries to fight this new source of infection. In the short term, this immune response won’t do any harm, but when it occurs continually, it can cause other health problems.

We are passionate about preventative dentistry and encourage everyone to visit us regularly and to brush at least twice a day and floss once-a-day.