| Painful or bleeding gums can have many causes | | | | initial stages, gingivitis, the plaque and tartar can |
| but usually indicate that you already have or are | | | | be removed at your dentist’s office during a |
| at high risk for developing gum disease. In most | | | | routine cleaning. |
| cases, plaque at the gum line is the cause of | | | | What Happens with Gum Disease? |
| irritation of the gums. From there, more serious | | | | As gum disease progresses, your gums, irritated |
| problems can develop over time and cause a | | | | by the plaque and tartar, begin to pull away from |
| great deal of pain. | | | | your teeth creating pockets. Bacteria grow in |
| When plaque is not removed from your teeth, it | | | | these pockets, preventing your gums from |
| hardens into tartar. Tartar is difficult to impossible | | | | healing, and perpetuating the problem. There is no |
| to remove at home. Plaque and tartar at the gum | | | | way for you to clean these pockets in your gums |
| line cause inflammation called gingivitis, and from | | | | at home. Your dentist, however, can safely |
| there can progress to periodontitis, a serious gum | | | | remove the bacteria and allow your gums to heal |
| and jawbone disease. | | | | again. Tooth planning is a procedure used to |
| Good dental hygiene is critical to avoiding bleeding | | | | remove the bacteria from between your teeth |
| and sore gums, but sometimes it is not enough. | | | | and gums. If left untreated, gum disease will begin |
| Brushing too hard and improper flossing methods | | | | destroying tissue and even your jawbone. |
| can actually create or worsen the problem. | | | | Once the health of your gums has been restored, |
| Ill-fitting dentures can rub and irritate your gums. | | | | gum recontouring can be used to restore the |
| Other health issues can also cause your gums to | | | | beauty of your gums. An uneven gum line can be |
| bleed including: | | | | corrected, and any excess gum tissue can be |
| · Hormonal changes | | | | removed. If you have lost gum tissue due to gum |
| · Leukemia | | | | disease, aging, or injury, the missing tissue can be |
| · Vitamin K deficiency | | | | replaced. |
| · Scurvy | | | | Bleeding, painful gums can signify a more serious |
| · Blood disorders | | | | underlying health problem, and should not be |
| If your gums ache or bleed you should talk to | | | | ignored. Your dentist can help you determine if |
| your dentist right away because gum disease is | | | | the problem is dental in nature, or if you should |
| progressive, and once it gets started, no amount | | | | seek further medical attention. |
| of brushing and flossing will turn it around. In the | | | | |
