Did you know that your mouth can warn you of dental trouble long before a toothache or other discomfort becomes an issue? Detecting such signs is one of the main objectives of your six-month dental checkup and cleaning, but some warnings are obvious even to the untrained eye. Unfortunately, since many early warning signs do not generate physical distress, many people ignore them or mistakenly believe that their normal, allowing issues like gum disease to develop and cause discomfort. Today, we discuss bleeding gums as one of these warning signs, and why your Lafayette dentist, Dr. Young, advises you to visit our office as soon as possible if your gums bleed.
You Know, Bleeding isn’t Normal
If you noticed that your nose or ears bleed when you clean them, then you might assume that something is probably wrong. Yet, for some reason, when many people notice red in their saliva while brushing their teeth, even if their toothpaste originally had no trace of red in it, it’s often written off as normal. The truth, though, is that your teeth and gums shouldn’t bleed at any time, and if they do, a serious infection is likely developing, or has already irreparably damaged your smile.
Neglect Breeds Destruction
Gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease, describes an infection that results from the excessive buildup of dental plaque, which is comprised of a plethora of oral bacteria. Certain germs within plaque release toxins that irritate your gums and damage the connective tissue that holds them to your teeth, causing your gums to separate. The bacterial infection also causes excessive inflammation, further damaging your gums and paving the way for gum disease. If gingivitis is caught and treated early, gum disease can typically be prevented. However, once gum disease sets in, it further damages your gum tissue and can compromise your jawbone underneath, leading to tooth loss as gum disease destroys your smile’s foundation.
Prevent and Treat Gum Disease with Your Lafayette Dentist
If you notice your gums bleeding when you brush your teeth, or at any other time, or to learn more about preventing and treating gum disease, schedule an appointment with your Lafayette cosmetic dentist by calling Dr. Young at (337) 237-6453. Located in the 70508 area, we proudly serve patients from Lafayette and all surrounding communities.