Sore gums are not only irritating but can also affect your smile and dampen your social life. When you experience sore gums, it can also be the sign of something more sinister, especially if you see blood when you brush your teeth.
While you may dismiss the traces at first, if the bleeding persists, it is essential to visit your Little Rock Dentist to learn how to treat sore gums. Your mouth will sometimes give you the first warning signs of possible diseases, and it is, therefore, important to visit your dentist if you have concerns.
What does it mean when your gums bleed?
Bleeding gums is an indicator that something is amiss in your mouth. The bleeding, if not treated, can progress to sores. These sores can be caused by food irritation, periodontal disease, or even oral cancer. Bleeding gums could also be a result of improper oral cleaning techniques such as brushing or flossing too hard, which irritates your gums and causes them to bleed. Changing your toothbrush may also cause bleeding if the bristles on your new brush are too hard.
Some medication that reduces the ability of your blood to clot could also be to blame for the bleeding. If possible, look back to when the bleeding began and see if it correlates with any new medication. If you feel as if medication could be the trigger, visit your doctor to discuss the side effects. Gum disease, tooth decay, and hormonal fluctuations could also be causing the bleeding of your gums.
While bleeding gums may not necessitate a visit to the emergency room, you still need to have it checked out if the problem persists. Visiting your Little Rock Dentist will rule out other serious causes. Besides having the problem checked out, you will also benefit from the dental services for families in Little Rock, such as guides on safe oral hygiene techniques.
How to treat sore gums
1. Lifestyle changes
Cleaning your teeth properly is the first and simplest method of getting rid of inflamed gums, while also giving you a confident, bright smile. Once your dentist assesses your mouth and establishes the cause of the sores or the bleeding, he or she can then prescribe treatment. In most cases, eliminating lifestyle habits like smoking or eating too much sugar, both of which can cause sore gums, may reverse the problem.
Poor dental hygiene can also trigger sore gums as a result of bacteria buildup. As bacteria accumulates around the tooth, tooth decay may further cause sore and bleeding gums. If that’s the case, your dentist will advise you on the best method of dealing with the decayed tooth. Fluoride supplements may also be prescribed by your dentist to prevent further decay.
2. Dental deep cleaning | What happens during a dental deep cleaning?
Sometimes, regular cleaning may not be enough, and in such cases, your dentist may recommend a deeper cleaning. Dental deep cleaning is a non-surgical procedure performed by your dentist to remove tar or bacterial buildup that may be responsible for infections causing sores and bleeding gums.
If necessary, your dentist at Little Rock will explain in detail what happens during a dental deep cleaning and whether you should try it in order to fix your sore or bleeding gums. A dental deep cleaning will not only treat the causes of sores in your gums and the bleeding but can give you a healthy, bright smile!
Understanding what a deep dental cleaning consists of will cast away your fears and allow you to enjoy its benefits. Your dentist will use a hand-held scaler to remove foreign particles trapped on the surface of the teeth or buried down below the gums. If the sores on your gums were a result of bacteria or tar buildup, deep dental cleaning may completely resolve the problem.
3. Professional teeth cleaning and all-around oral care
Professional teeth cleaning done by your Little Rock Dentist will also treat sores caused by hormonal fluctuations. Hormonal imbalances can limit your body’s ability to deal with bacteria in the mouth, causing a buildup that leads to sore gums.
If the sores are caused by poor teeth alignment or an impacted tooth, you can take advantage of Dental Services for Family in Little Rock and all-around oral care, which includes teeth alignment for a confident, bright smile.
In some cases, the sores could be a result of other diseases such as mouth cancer or diabetes. Whichever the cause, your dentist can help you identify it and put you on treatment to reduce the pain and discomfort brought by the sores.
4. Home remedies for bleeding gums
You can also use home remedies to relieve the pain before you get to your dentist. For some people, the home remedies are just enough to treat the sore gums, but it depends on the cause and severity of the sores. Here are some safe remedies for you to try:
- Salty water
Gargle some warm salty water and spit it in the sink. The salt will prevent the bacteria from further buildup and relieve you from the pain.
- Compress
You can try a cold or warm compress on the sores to reduce the pain. Press the sore area with a cold or warm cloth for twenty minutes at a time.
- Herbal remedies
Herbs such as cloves and Spilanthes contain analgesic properties that reduce the pain from the sores.
- Over the counter painkillers and gels
As you plan to schedule dental services for your family in Little Rock, try an over the counter painkiller such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or analgesic gels to reduce the pain in the short-term.
Contact the experts
Guides on how to treat sore gums are meant to relieve the pain before you get to your dentist. For a comprehensive assessment and treatment of inflamed gums, and more information on questions such as ‘what does it mean when your gums bleed,’ schedule an appointment with Arkansas Family Dental or give us a call at (501) 683-8886.
Leave a Reply