What Causes Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums is usually the result of periodontal disease, which is a serious infection of the gums and the bone. It’s also called gum disease. Periodontal disease is triggered by plaque buildup, which hardens into tartar and harbors bacteria. The bacteria damages the gum tissue and the bone that supports the tooth.

How Are Bleeding Gums Treated?

You can treat your bleeding gums at home if the condition is mild. Make sure you brush and floss every day. You may also want to consider rinsing your mouth with a salt water solution. That can help kill any bacteria that may be causing your bleeding gums.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

You can also come in for an appointment so we can examine your gums and identify the cause of the problem. If a bacterial infection is to blame, we can prescribe an antibiotic for you. If you have gum disease, we can provide therapy that will remove the bacteria from under your gum line. If your bleeding gums are caused by another condition, we can recommend other treatment options.

Scaling and root planing is a common first-line treatment for patients with mild to moderate gum disease. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure in which plaque and tartar buildup are removed from the teeth, root surfaces are smoothed, and gum pockets are reduced.

Surgical Treatment Options

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that leads to swollen gums, bleeding gums, and bad breath. In order to restore gum health, it’s necessary to remove the infection and to help support the gums as they heal. Once the infection is removed, a gum graft may be performed to add tissue to the gums. Gum grafts can be done using a donor tissue or from the patient’s own tissue, and this donor tissue can be from the palate or another source. After the tissue graft heals, the gums can return to their healthy, pink state.

Contact ÉLAN Dentistry for the best dental care. To book an appointment, call (714) 364-8181 or visit us at 1030 West Imperial Hwy, La Habra, CA 90631.