When we are kids we focus on the dentist and the hygienist as giving advice on how to avoid tooth decay. Later as adults we realize that everything in the mouth is connected and related so all of the brushing and flossing advice over the years can help prevent Gum Desease as well. Kids don't like the drill and the chair, but have a very high tolerance for the minor annoying Gum Desease problem. A little bleeding and sensitivity don't bother them much and the problems can often go untreated.
The most common reason for bleeding gums is the Gum Desease gingivitis. The gums become irritated by a bacterial infection and swell a significant amount. They may be tender to the touch and have some light bleeding when flossing or brushing actively. Gingivitis is normally seen for a few days at most so the best action is to continue to brush and floss often to clean out the problem.
It turns out that plaque is a great breeding ground for the bacteria of Gum Desease fame. The bacteria are in the mouth anyway, but given this excellent growth material, they grow too much and too fast. They also end to gather in one spot.
The Gum Desease of periodontitis will cause significant bleeding in the gums and not just near the teeth. The entire gum structure can be inflamed and should become very painful. The infections involved with periodontitis are aggressive players that destroy tissues as they progress through the mouth.
The treatment for this Gum Desease is very much the same actions that can prevent it to start with. Daily use of the toothbrush is the easiest and first step towards preventing problems. The action of the toothbrush cleans food particles out of the mouth and disrupts the formation of plaque on the teeth surfaces. The plaque will try to reform every 10 to 12 hours so repeated brushing activity is required. This is the basis of the usual mantra to brush in the morning and again at night.
Another tool for Gum Desease prevention is flossing. Flossing is able to get directly at the connections between the teeth and gums where bacteria like to hide. The flossing action helps move the bacteria into the open mouth for removal. Flossing will also serve to show signs of bleeding gums earlier as a warning of gum inflammation.
Mouthwash is useful against Gum Desease by helping to control the growth of bacteria. Mouthwash is often created to fight bad breath and thus likes to eliminate bacteria in general from the mouth. Alcohol or other antiseptic agents are often used.
Periodontitis is a serious Gum Desease that can be prevented much easier than it can be treated. Keeping the gum and teeth areas clean often and using an antiseptic mouthwash to control the bacteria are essential actions.
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