Should You Go To The Dentist Right Away If Your Gums Are Bleeding?
Discovering that one's gums are bleeding can fill a person with dread. Are you already experiencing severe gum disease? Are your teeth at risk? While it's important to be invested in your oral health, bleeding gums aren't always the end of the world. Here's how to tell if you should head to a dentist right away or not.
Women
There are two unique conditions that women go through that can affect their gums: a period and pregnancy. Believe it or not, menstruating and pregnancy can trigger the gums to exhibit signs of gum disease when they ordinarily wouldn't.
When the body is preparing for a period or is making the womb suitable for a new fetus, many hormones surge through the body, like progesterone. These hormones cause physical changes in the body, and it's not just limited to the reproductive system.
If you have bleeding gums one or two days a month or experienced this problem during pregnancy, it's not necessarily cause for alarm. It's a good idea to schedule a regular appointment to see if your dental health is doing well, but overall, don't panic if this is the only time your gums do it.
Starting Flossing
Another common trigger for bleeding gums that doesn't necessarily mean doom and gloom is when someone starts flossing for the first time.
Gums are very sensitive, and if your gums have been encapsulated in irritating plaque, there's a good chance that removing that plaque will cause the gums to bleed. This isn't actually a bad thing, but it also shouldn't go on for very long. If you don't see improvement after flossing a couple of times, it's a good idea to see your dentist.
Other Activities
If your gums are bleeding outside of the above two reasons, it means you should get to a dentist. Your gums should never bleed under ordinary use, like eating, drinking, or doing nothing at all. If you're experiencing a problem at these times, it likely indicates that your gums are in poor health and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible from a dentist.
Having bleeding gums isn't a good sign, but it's not always an emergency. If you're concerned about your dental health, make an appointment for a standard check-up. Your dentist can answer any questions you might have about your oral health and will be able to put an end to any gum disease, whether it's an early or late stage.
For more information, contact your local dental clinic.