About this topic
Having gums that bleed is a common problem. There are many things that may cause your gums to bleed. Most often, the bleeding stops quickly and is not a serious problem. If your gums bleed often, or the bleeding is causing you to worry, talk to your doctor or dentist. Good teeth and mouth care may help prevent or lessen this problem. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your dentist what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the dentist says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times each day to get rid of plaque. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Try using an electric toothbrush to remove plaque from the teeth. It may work better in hard to reach places than a regular toothbrush.
- Clean between the teeth each day. Try regular floss or dental picks. Ask your dentist which tools will work best for you.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your dentist may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- See your dentist 1 to 2 times each year for a professional cleaning and check-up. You may need to go more often if you are having problems. People with gum disease may also need to go more often or see a specialist called a periodontist.
- Eat a healthy diet. Avoid sugary foods, drinks, and sodas. Limit snacking. If you do snack, make healthy choices such as low-fat dairy products or vegetables.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products. If you do smoke, talk with your dentist about trying to quit.
- Take extra care of your teeth and gums when pregnant. Studies have shown that pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have preterm, low birth weight babies. Your gums may be more prone to swelling while you are pregnant due to hormone changes. This is called pregnancy gingivitis.
- Talk to your dentist and doctor if your gums start to bleed after you have begun taking a new drug.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; a sore that will not heal; swelling, redness, warmth around the gums; too much pain when touched; pus coming out of the gums.
- Heavy bleeding of the gums
- Bad breath that will not go away with brushing and flossing
- Pain when brushing your teeth
- Loose teeth
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how often I should brush and floss my teeth.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have heavy bleeding of my gums, bad breath that will not go away, or pain with brushing my teeth.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Periodontology ‚
http://www.perio.org/consumer/types-gum-disease.html ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bleeding-gums ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚