Dr Kate Fabrikant
Medical Director, Haleon
Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, which, left untreated, can worsen and lead to tooth loss. At an early stage, it’s reversible — if you take steps to improve oral care.
We’re probably familiar with the need to brush twice a day and go for regular dental check-ups to keep our teeth healthy. But how many of us regularly think about our gum health? Say you discover that your gums are bleeding after brushing or flossing, or when you bite into hard foods like apples. What would you do? You might be tempted to assume that it’s ‘just what happens sometimes’ and ignore it.
Bleeding gums could be a sign of gum disease
Take action to improve your oral care routine
Anyone can develop gum disease, but people living with diabetes might be at a higher risk. That’s because their condition, along with certain medications, can reduce saliva production, which helps protect teeth and gums. Diabetes can also increase sugar or glucose content in saliva, which can feed harmful plaque-forming bacteria. Bleeding gums could be a symptom of gingivitis, which is caused by a buildup of plaque close to the gum line. The good news: if you act quickly enough, gingivitis is reversible (unlike more serious gum inflammation — periodontitis).
There are steps you can take to treat it or, better still, prevent it from becoming an issue in the first place. First, brush twice daily with a specialist toothpaste designed to fight plaque buildup along the gum line, such as Corsodyl Active Gum Repair. Second, use a mouthwash to help remove plaque bacteria that brushing alone can’t reach. Third, clean between your teeth daily, using interdental brushes or floss.
And fourth, see your dentist if symptoms don’t go away. But it isn’t, and you shouldn’t — because healthy gums don’t bleed. In fact, bleeding gums could be a symptom of gingivitis, which is caused by a buildup of plaque close to the gum line. It isn’t always accompanied by pain, so you might not notice it immediately. Other symptoms can include red or inflamed gums, swollen gums and bad breath. The trouble is, if you leave gingivitis untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, a more advanced stage of gum disease. “If plaque isn’t removed by brushing the teeth thoughtfully at least twice a day, inflammation can spread to the tooth socket and the soft tissues there, causing gums to recede and teeth to become loose,” explains Dr Kate Fabrikant, Medical Director in Haleon, the company behind oral care brands like Corsodyl.
“Acting on the early signs of gingivitis is important,” says Dr Fabrikant. “Visit your dentist regularly, as they may spot problems with your gums before you have any noticeable symptoms. A professional oral hygiene, which you might also know as “scale and polish” can help get your teeth properly clean in areas that are difficult to reach at home.”
