Are you experiencing bleeding gums after brushing your teeth? It may seem harmless and common, but these irritating instances can be a symptom of more sinister underlying causes: gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. 

The good news is, these symptoms are treatable and even reversible, if caught early! However, in order to treat bleeding gums, it is important to understand the reason this happens and how it is a symptom of gum disease. 

Why Are my Gums Bleeding?

Bleeding gums and inflammation act as your body’s first line of defense against bacteria and gingivitis! What occurs over time is the initial build-up of food particles and bacteria which form into plaque. This can be removed with brushing and flossing, but it consistently returns as we eat and therefore, it is important that you are vigilant with your everyday oral care routine.

The hardening of plaque then leads to the formation of tartar and this cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. As the build-up worsens, the pockets underneath the gum line deepen and this is where bacteria continue to attack not only your gums, but also the bone which supports your teeth! This is also where gingivitis leads to periodontitis; the side effects of which include, gum recession, bone loss and eventually, loose teeth.

There are other causes which are less common but do include: bleeding gums as a side effect of certain medications, vitamin deficiencies and even pregnancy.

Side Effects of Bleeding Gums

Don’t ignore your body’s warning signs! Healthy gums are pale pink in colour and are snug and firm around your teeth. Anything else could mean an indication of developing gum disease, including:

• Puffy or swollen gums
• Gums that are tender to touch
• Purplish or bright red gums
• Receding gum line
• New spaces occurring between the teeth
• Pus formation between the gums and teeth
• Painful chewing
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth

What Can I do to Soothe Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums are a sign of damage being done to your gums over time. As such, there isn’t a quick fix to this issue; treating this symptom takes patience and perseverance in terms of visiting your dental hygienist and keeping up with a daily oral care routine.

Home Remedies for Temporary Relief 

These treatments can be done at home, but it is very important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to determine the cause and guide you with the next steps to avoid future complications.

Salt Water Rinse

In the meantime, you can encourage your gums to start to heal themselves by adding salt water rinses along with gently brushing your teeth, flossing and using mouthwash.

To create the rinse, just add ½ a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth for about 10 seconds before spitting it out. You can do this twice a day for a week alongside your regular routine. Do not continue this remedy for longer, as extended practice may actually wear away the enamel of your teeth due to the salt content!

Use a soft bristle brush

By using a toothbrush with softer bristles, you can reduce the amount of force being put on your gums while brushing and this can help your gums to heal faster. Remember not to brush with too much pressure and brushing away from the gums can also prevent injury and excessive bleeding. 

Apply gauze

If you are having trouble getting the bleeding to subside, you can apply gauze to the area to soak up any blood and encourage clotting. Alternatively, you can slightly dampen the gauze with cold water or wrap an ice cube with it before applying the gauze in 10 minute intervals. This will assist with reducing any inflammation as well as pain relief.

Dental Hygiene Appointments

Most importantly, you should visit your local dental clinic in Etobicoke to schedule regular cleanings spaced 3 to 6 months apart. Your dental hygienist will use a series of special tools to remove any and all trapped debris and hardened plaque or tartar deep beneath the gum line. 

Several appointments later and you will notice a significant change! Without any more build up present, the gums will start to push back up against your teeth, closing these deep pockets and preventing further complications in the future.

Laser Gum Treatment

For severe cases, you may consider Laser Gum Treatment as an option to go hand-in-hand with your cleaning appointments. During treatment, the dental hygienist will use a small laser to remove the infected tissue surrounding the teeth, exposing the deep pockets of tartar build up on the roots of the tooth. They then remove all traces of tartar and smooth out the area of the tooth to make sure that there are no textured surfaces where bacteria can cling to. Regular follow-up appointments are still necessary to ensure the gums are healing properly.  

Interested in laser gum treatment? We’ve been treating periodontitis using laser therapy since 2003 and have been updating our methods with the latest technology ever since—with fantastic results for our patients! Our team at Dental Health Clinic are more than happy to meet with you to discuss your needs and potential treatment options. Call us at 647-697-7869 to reserve your free consultation!

When I was 23, my mouth was a mess. The front of my mouth extended forward into a pointy overbite that used to make me prone to spitting while talking. My lower front teeth resembled bowling pins collapsing in on each other and making my overbite seem like an even bigger protrusion.

To make matters worse, food would always get stuck in my mouth when I was eating and cleaning it fully would take hours to floss (which is why I didn’t floss).

For these reasons, I would try not to smile when I was close to people. I would even hide my mouth when I would laugh. I didn’t want the joke to become about me.

These were just a few ways my mess of a mouth would get in the way of my life, but it was getting worse.

My First Dental Visit

I thought my brushing was doing the job fine until I had my first

I thought my brushing was doing the job fine until I had my first dental appointment halfway through Grade 8; which in hindsight, was much too late to be seeing a dentist for the first time. This changed everything.

According to the dentist, I had numerous cavities in the areas of my mouth where my teeth were overlapping. My gums were swollen and would often bleed.

It wasn’t until I hit 23 that I realized the problems I was having were getting much worse and my dentist was right from the beginning. I continued to get cavities, my gums were still bleeding and to make it worse, all the additional brushing I was doing only led to receding gums. Turns out, I was brushing too hard and doing it all wrong. Yes, apparently there’s a proper way to brush your teeth.

The situation was deteriorating, but there could be a long-lasting solution: BRACES! I wasn’t enthusiastic about orthodontic treatment; especially since it wasn’t as “cool” as today. Plus I was in my 20’s and most people get braces as a kid, or so I thought. It was actually the most cost-effective way to combat all my developing symptoms and prevent more from forming, like grinding my teeth. Thankfully, I was able to make small monthly payments to correct this dental issue. Most dentists offer installment plans and I’m glad I capitalized on that!

It wasn’t till I hit 23 that I realized the problems I was having were getting much worse and my dentist was right from the beginning. I continued to get cavities, my gums were still bleeding, and to make it worse, all the additional brushing I was doing only led to receding gums. Turns out I was brushing too hard and doing it all wrong (Yes, apparently there’s a proper way to brush you teeth).

The situation was deteriorating, but there could be a long-lasting solution. BRACES! I wasn’t enthusiastic about orthodontic treatment (especially since it wasn’t as “cool” as today, plus I was in my 20’s, “most people get braces as a kid” or so I thought). It was the most cost-effective way to combat all my developing symptom and prevent more from forming; like grinding my teeth. Thankfully I was able to make small monthly payments to correct this dental issue. Most dentists offer installment plans and I’m glad I capitalized on that!

After Orthodontics

Having lived with a crooked mess in my mouth for so long, it is both shocking and joyous when your retainer is no longer needed, and your new teeth are better than you ever thought possible. It transformed my face in the best way possible. I would have been satisfied with a simple reduction in my overbite, but everything has changed since I started braces.

 

Here are the top 5 biggest changes I experienced (and am still experiencing) since completing my orthodontic treatment:

 

1. Braces Gave Me a New Smile

Definitely the most noticeable change is my new smile! Remember how I used to press my lips together when I would feel like laughing? Now that’s just a joke. I constantly get compliments on my beautiful smile. The long term benefits completely outweigh the 2 years I spent wearing braces.

2. Braces Made Me Confident

I always felt like my teeth were always in control of my life. I would spend hours at school or work thinking about how horrible I looked and how I had to make sure that no bits of food were stuck in my teeth after lunch.

My crooked teeth felt like something that was holding me back and that I couldn’t deal with. At least when I was bad at sports or classes I could actually do something about it. When it came to my teeth, I felt like I would never lose that burden.

Now, I can’t believe how much time I wasted on that kind of thinking, however, my mirror and camera have started taking up that time.

3. Braces Helped Me With Cavities

Remember those 7 cavities that were starting to form? Well those were the only 7 I ever had. Once my teeth started to move (which I didn’t think was going to happen) my oral health started improving drastically within the first few months. I couldn’t believe it.

Over night, food stopped getting stuck between my teeth and it  became much easier to brush my teeth.

It turns out when your teeth are properly spaced apart and straight, it’s a whole lot easier to clean them. Since I was continuously brushing my teeth as they moved apart, I was able to remove plaque build-up in the once covered parts on my teeth.

Those cavities never did develop and since I’ve had braces, I still haven’t had a cavity (and hopefully never will).

4. Braces Helped Me With Long-term Dental Issues

Both my orthodontist and dentist said that because I realigned my teeth, I am at much less risk of tooth decay. Since food bacteria and plaque can no longer hide from my tooth brush or floss, I have prevented much of the wear and tear on my teeth that accompanies eating with crooked teeth.

5. Braces Promotes Healthier Gums

Within the first few months of my treatment, I have been able to fully floss all my teeth properly. This is something I could never do before. The orthodontist explained that the food particles that were frequently getting trapped in my mouth had been making my gums swell and become tender. My gums would bleed every time I brushed. I thought it was because my teeth were crooked, but that was only part of it.

Food particles were getting lodged in between my gums and teeth and this was leading to bacteria and plaque infecting my gums. If it continued, I would have been experiencing a lot more tenderness and even and possible oral infections like gingivitis or periodontal disease. The risk of having gum disease is pretty close to zero since now I can easily clean my mouth properly and I visit the dentist regularly.

 

Why Orthodontics? – Braces or Invisalign

I didn’t think my teeth could ever have looked the way they do today. I was in denial, I can’t believe I waited so long to fix my crooked teeth. The lack of confidence to smile, laugh and even eat around others should have been enough to prove to myself that it was time to make a change.

When I found out that I was on the verge of developing numerous short and long term oral issues because of my crooked teeth, it hit me like a brick. Why was I letting my teeth get in the way of my life? Not only socially, but physically as well.

From the start of my orthodontic treatment to its end and into the present, I decided that I am not going to let anything get in my way from living my best life. The long term benefits of braces completely outweigh the 2 years I spent wearing them.

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Which one is right for me?

The choice between Invisalign and traditional braces can be difficult because they are virtually the same. Because there is a lot of information on both types of orthodontic treatments, we have listed the pros and cons of braces vs. Invisalign.

It is important to know that although Invisalign has come a long way in the last 20 years, Invisalign may not be the best solution for all patients. It is essential to have expert advice from your dentist or orthodontist to see what best suits your oral health.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment Braces and Invisalign

Whether you choose to go with braces or Invisalign it is important to note that both products will correct the same issues.

 

Invisalign and braces will straighten your teeth and help with;

• Improving long term health benefits both in your mouth and for your body
• Brushing and flossing
  • Less cavities
  • Lowering the risk of developing gum disease
  • Lowering the chance of losing teeth as an adult
• Improving confidence
• Speech issues, such as a lisp
• Headaches caused by uneven bites
• Cross bites, open bites, uneven bites, over bites, under bites, and more

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a clear, removable plastic aligner that is meant to fit snugly over the teeth that need realignment. The durable aligners are made from molds and scans of your mouth and are designed to gently snap into the proper place.

 

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

1. Invisalign is virtually invisible

Since Invisalign aligners are clear and transparent, it is nearly impossible to tell someone is wearing them. This is why it is so popular with adults. It is beneficial for people who work with clients or colleagues as they won’t be able to see signs of an orthodontic treatment. Teens are also starting to make their way to clear aligners like Invisalign. They are more likely to wear them when they are supposed to.

 

2. Invisalign may have faster results and treatment times

Invisalign treatment has been documented to straighten teeth up to 50% faster than braces. Because the aligners can move multiple teeth at the same time, treatment times can come down significantly. You can be rotating a tooth 180 degrees while shifting it into place with the others. Feel free to watch our videos for tooth movement (click here).

Invisalign treatment is much less intensive on the patient and requires a quick bi-weekly checkup to simply switch your aligners. Getting an aligner fixed in your mouth is quick and painless. The aligner can be pushed snuggly into position, no wires, no elastics.

3. Is Invisalign painful?

While shifting teeth does sound painful, it isn’t. Invisalign is molded to your mouth, making everyday wear easy and comfortable. The movements of Invisalign plastic is gradual and not very intense. As your gums loosen around the tooth the movement becomes quicker, but it is important to see the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.

 

4. Invisalign helps with your oral health

Invisalign can be easily removed and re-inserted by the patient for cleaning and eating. This removable feature makes dental hygiene a much easier task since less food gets stuck in the mouth during eating and brushing and flossing is no longer a problem. It is important to remember that Invisalign, in order for it to work correctly, needs to stay in your mouth for 22 hours of the 24 hour day. This means that once you’ve eaten or brushed your teeth, rinse out your aligners and pop them back into place.

Cons of Invisalign

Sometimes pros can also be cons. Because the aligners are removable, you need to remember to put them back in. Every time you eat or drink anything except plain water, the aligners should be removed.

Cons of Invisalign

Sometimes pros can also be cons. Because the aligners are removable, you need to remember o put them back in. Every time you eat or drink anything except plain water, the aligners should be removed.

 

What are Braces?

Braces are individual brackets that are bonded to each tooth. These brackets are then pulled or pushed together or apart with the use of wires to achieve the dream smile you always wanted. This is the most powerful of all treatments for moving teeth to the desired position. Many people are pleasantly surprised with the results of braces, and most of them thought their results were never going to be possible. (Read more about patients reaction to braces, click here)

 

What are the advantages of Braces?

 

1. Braces suit all treatment types and all ages

No matter how complex your dental issues may be, there is no cause for concern with traditional braces. You may be seeking dental corrections and most patients will also notice positive facial changes, making your face more symmetrical. Braces use lots of force, they are handy for fixing all problems and leave you with a beautiful smile.

 

2. You can expect perfect results with braces

With more force, braces can move your teeth into the desired position by adjusting those malocclusions cases such as over bites or deep bite. Because braces are for everyone, there are literally hundreds of studies and hundreds of years of combined research for braces and orthodontics. That’s why smiles come out looking perfect.

 

3. Are braces painful?

No, braces are not painful. Like Invisalign, although tooth movement is taking place, the most you might feel is a slight headache for 1 hour while your teeth adjust to your brackets and movements. Most people don’t even report any signs of pain or headaches.

4. Multiple types of braces

Braces come in different, colors, shapes and sizes. Traditional wires and metal brackets are still around but there are new types for faster treatment option or less visits. If you’re looking for something less visible, ceramic braces are for you! You can enjoy the benefits of braces without the metal look. (To read more about the advancements of braces, click here)

The disadvantages of braces

Some patients may mind the look of the braces, but if that doesn’t bother you, that’s great! The only true disadvantage of braces is that they are not removable, so brushing and flossing can be a little more difficult.

Ok, so which one is better braces or Invisalign?

To be honest, they are both great solutions and both have their pros and cons. However, the pros for both treatment types significantly outweigh the cons on all levels; social, economical, and health benefits. What is important to remember is that whether you choose Invisalign or braces you need to see your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups to avoid other complications that come with oral hygiene.

From Etobicoke to Mississauga and Vaughan, Dental Health Clinic has been helping many patients achieve their dream smile. If you have any questions about Invisalign or braces, please contact the Dental Health Clinic by email: admin@hostpumpkin.com, or phone: +1 647-697-7869. To schedule your free consultation: Click here.

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Schedule your next dental appointment now if you don’t already have one booked. Click here.