Many of us experience bleeding gums once in a while and it’s usually to do with catching your gums on a piece of sharp food or accidentally biting your tongue, but bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease and if you notice this on a regular basis when you brush your teeth and you have swollen or sore gums, you should contact the practice to arrange to see a dentist.

About gum disease

Gum disease is one of the most common oral diseases; it is the leading cause of premature tooth loss in British adults, yet it is completely preventable. There are two stages of gum disease; the early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis and it is relatively easy to treat. The advanced stage of gum disease is called periodontal disease and this is much more difficult to treat and manage.

It is best to treat gum disease as early as possible to prevent long-term damage to the gums.

Symptoms to look out for

One of the most obvious warning signs of gingivitis is bleeding gums and bleeding when you brush your teeth and other symptoms include swollen and tender gums, soreness in and around the gums and unpleasant taste in your mouth.

If gum disease becomes advanced you may also suffer from bad breath and your teeth will eventually start to pull away from the gums and come loose.

Managing bleeding gums

Gingivitis can usually be treated very effectively with good oral hygiene; this means brushing and flossing as advised and seeing a dental hygienist for a cleaning treatment, which will remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth.

If you have advanced gum disease this requires very careful management and you will need to attend regular hygiene sessions; treatments such as scale and polish and root planning clean the mouth thoroughly and help to prevent further damage, but treatment often takes several months.

You can dramatically reduce your risk of developing gum disease by sticking to a good daily oral hygiene regime, attending regular dental check-ups and steering clear of sugary foods. For a hygiene appointment contact the team at Harley Street Dental Studio in the heart of London.