How to Get Rid Of Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed every time you brush? Bleeding gums is one of the most common dental conditions we see at Port Melbourne Dental, and it’s usually caused by factors like a poor oral hygiene routine, eating sugary foods, vitamin deficiencies or gum disease. Bleeding gums are a sure sign that intervention and treatment are needed, and if neglected, they may also advance into life-threatening diseases.
Keep reading for a better understanding of how we’ll help treat your bleeding gums at Port Melbourne Dental Care.
Teeth cleaning by a dental professional
If you have bleeding gums due to a poor oral hygiene routine and bacterial accumulation, then professional teeth cleaning is the best way to handle the issue. A good clean-up carried out by one of our dental professionals will ensure the removal of any growing microbes, which are aggravating your gums (causing inflammation and bleeding).
The general procedure begins with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Next, by using a dental tool known as a scraper, the bacteria and tartar will be removed. Any remaining residue is also cleaned out before the patient is given a rinsing solution to rinse out their mouth. The patient is subsequently given a fluoride treatment, where the foamy compound is applied to the teeth for a short while before rinsing out again.
Scaling & root planning
Scaling is the process by which plaque & hardened bacteria is removed from the surface of your tooth, while root planing removes any residual & embedded bacteria found beneath gumlines around the roots of your tooth. Scaling and root planning are generally carried out for patients suffering from extensive gum disease.
This procedure is more effective than the professional teeth cleaning carried out in regular checkups. After the procedure is completed, the patient will be prescribed antibiotics or additional medication to prevent the re-growth of bacteria.
Flap surgery
Flap surgery is one of the best methods for cleaning out the space between the teeth and your gums (more commonly known as “pockets”). When bacteria collect in these areas, it gives way to inflammation, sensitivity, bleeding and pain. Left untreated, it can cause a host of problems, including gum disease and loss of tooth-supporting bone structure.
Before the flap surgery procedure, the patient will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area where our dentist will work on. Your dentist will begin by cleaning out your mouth and subsequently, a tiny area of the gums is lifted to get rid of accumulated tartar. Once cleaned, the gum tissue is pulled back to its initial position and will be made to sit around the teeth in a manner that reduces the space between the teeth and gums. This reduces any future bacteria settling in.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Guided tissue regeneration is a technique reserved for severe cases of gum disease where bone loss is prominent to give the teeth more support and stability. This process begins with a flap surgery where the area under the gums is cleaned out. Then, a membrane is placed over the damaged bone in order to give the bone space to heal and start regenerating itself without soft tissue entering the gaps.
Guided Tissue Regeneration is a surgical procedure and can be carried out under a local anaesthetic. However, some level of discomfort is inevitable. This procedure is used for a variety of other dental diseases including dental implants and oral surgery.
Dental Surgery
If a patient is undergoing uncontrollable and excessive bleeding from gums, our dentist may first refer to them to a physician to rule out any underlying medical conditions. If there’s no medical condition at play, our dentist may suggest the patient undergo dental surgery to rectify the situation.
Depending on the condition of your teeth, gums, bone structure and if there are any injuries etc., we will come up with the best treatment plan for your smile. An extraction might be recommended if you have severe tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis), dental trauma, or wisdom teeth complications. Some of the most common dental surgeries involve endodontics (surgery involving the pulp or root of the tooth) and prosthetics (dental implants, dentures etc.), which are used to restore damaged teeth.
Soft tissue graft
If you are in need of more healthy gum tissue in the affected area, we may suggest a soft tissue graft. This process involves collecting a small amount of tissue from another area within your mouth and placing it in the recessed section. There are different types of grafting available, our dentist will assess your smile and determine which method is most appropriate for you.
If you have bleeding gums, leave no time to waste! Schedule a consultation with our dental professionals at Port Melbourne Dental so we can treat the problem before it worsens into a painful and costly condition to fix.