May 26, 2011
Our gums are located inside the mouth, over the jaw bones and the teeth root areas. These consist of light pinkish-coloured bones and flesh and bones. The purposes of the gums are for protection of the teeth and to hold the teeth firmly in place in the sockets. Sometimes, there are factors which cause the gums to bleed which keep people to wonder. Why do you have bleeding gums? This may be a cause for alarm especially when felt together with inflammation and irritation of the gums. This is probably caused by bacteria finding their way to the tooth cavities and recessions in-between the teeth where plaque has formed excessively. This will later on cause soreness and redness of the gums leading to bleeding and sometimes teeth loss, when untreated.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is considered the number one cause why gum bleeds. This infection is caused by the accumulation of bacteria on the teeth where plaques have formed, and found their way through the gums, teeth recesses and the tongue which may or may not be due to poor oral hygiene. The signs of this disease are clearly visible as shown by the swollen, reddish, and irritated gums which can be very painful. There is foul breath noted as well as gum shrinkage and recession.
There are times when the gums become accidentally injured and this injuries may be due to improper use or unfitted use of dentures, over flossing, harsh brushing, tooth picking, unsuitable use of oral washes and whiteners. A muth ulcer is alsovery common and is considered to be one of the causes of bleeding gums. Aside from this, nutrient deficiencies such as vitamins and Minerals as well as some medications used for blood thinning and pain-killers could also be a factor of why gums bleed. And, when you have the tendency to gum bleeding, it is best to steer clear from hot and spicy foods and beverages as it can cause severe irritation leading to bleeding gums.
Prevention is always highly recommended by following proper oral hygiene. Floss and brush the teeth as prescribed by your dentist and go for regular monthly teeth cleaning and check-up of at least 6 times annually. Diet is always an integral part in the prevention, so you should be eating a lot of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. Start the treatment as soon as you can with the use of the recommended toothpastes or antibiotics because the slightest delay may lead to more damage as infection sets in.
However, people with mild cases of bleeding gums can start with the safe and natural home remedies to alleviate it such as the use of your own mouthwash with saline solution. To do that, you have to mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt to warm water, mix it thoroughly and rinse the mouth with it for 3 times a day. You can also add a couple of drops of tee tree essential oil to your regular toothpaste.
When the condition worsens, consultation with your physician or dentist should be done immediately since it may be an indication of some severe disease or an underlying medical problem.
March 16, 2010
As part of my work, I get to talk to a lot of people about dental health and from listening to their stories of pain, suffering, solutions and treatments that do not provide long-term relief is something I find very frustrating! I think that by now, in our modern age, better answers should be provided to us from ‘professionals’ and ’scientists’.
Unfortunately, I am convinced that we have been sold a ‘bill of goods’ in the notion that brushing and flossing are all that you need to maintain your dental health and prevent problems.
My proof that is not true is self-evident. People still get cavities, their teeth still crack or break and they still get gum disease. In relation to the last term, the stats say it all! Most dental professionals agree that up to 75% of people have some form of gum disease right now.
Therefore, you tell me, is it sensible to believe that merely brushing and flossing is enough for the majority of people to maintain their dental health? The reality of today’s state of dental health is very frustrating because the lack of knowledge about what dental disease is and what you can do about it is insidious.
In addition, I challenge you to ponder these simple questions. Dentistry has been with us for a very long time, yet why do so many people still need cavities filled, root canals, crowns, gum grafts, and other ’special treatments’? Do you think that no one has ever come upon good answers to prevent these problems in all the years that ‘modern’ dentistry has been around?
I certainly do not claim to have all of the answers, but I do think that I might have some of them. I was able to avoid one of those popular ‘deep cleaning’ treatments. Even if you have not heard that term from your dentist before or the terms, ‘SRP’ or ‘Scaling and Root Planing’, the chances are pretty good that someone you personally know has!
For an oral irrigator, I believe that the hydrofloss is the best.
Chew xylitol gum for the healthy dental benefits discovered by Finlanders 6 decades ago.
Try a pH balanced, oxygenated mouthwash!
I would further challenge anyone reading this article to dig deeper and discover the knowledge, understandings, tools and products that can truly help promote better dental health and save you and your loved ones from unnecessary expense, pain and prevent the need for harsh treatments!
David Snape is the author of the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease, ISBN: 978-0981485508 available at ToothyGrinsStore.com and other online book retailers.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to suggest diagnosis, treatment or suggest dental health advice. If you have or think you might have a health problem of any sort, including but not limited to dental health, visit your doctor or dentist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about any products mentioned in this article.