Bleeding Gums Treatment Washington, DC

You may develop gum disease if your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth.

Dr. Joseph A. Catanzano III, DDS, offers treatment for bleeding gums in Washington, D.C. Bleeding gums are a dental concern that often accompanies gingivitis. This condition precedes periodontitis or gum disease. Gum disease develops from the infection of gum tissue. Plaque can inflame the gums, causing them to bleed easily. As the infection progresses, pockets between teeth form, loosening or causing them to fall out.

Bleeding Gums treatment in Washington, D.C.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

There are multiple symptoms of developing gum disease to be aware of:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Receding gum line
  • Halitosis (Bad breath)
  • Swollen or red gums
  • Changes in the fit of a denture
  • Loose or shifting teeth

Gum disease can also increase a patient’s risk for heart problems such as strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disease.  If you believe you may be developing periodontitis, call Foxhall Smiles today. We can help remove the infection and get your gums healthy again.

Risk Factors for Bleeding Gums

Certain things make you more likely to suffer from gingivitis and bleeding gums. While poor oral hygiene is the most obvious, there are others you may not even realize.

Similar to other parts of the body, gum tissue requires certain vitamins and nutrients to function properly. If you don’t have enough Vitamin C and K, your gum tissue is weaker than normal, and your body’s ability to fight infection is lowered. Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, essential for strengthening gum tissue. Vitamin K assists in blood clotting, which is important if your gums are bleeding.

Tobacco use of any type increases your risk of bleeding gums. Smoking or chewing tobacco makes you more susceptible to various oral health problems. Chemicals in tobacco products actually damage your gum tissue. They also lower your body’s ability to fight off infection and restrict the blood flow to your gums.

Dry mouth is another problem. The side effect of many medications is dry mouth. Saliva is essential to maintaining optimal oral health. Saliva washes away bacteria and particles while neutralizing acids in your mouth. If you have less saliva, it isn’t doing either of its jobs properly. You’re more likely to experience harmful bacteria and infection.

Many people don’t realize that stress can impact your gum health. When stressed, your immune system is weaker, and fighting infections is harder. You’re more susceptible to inflammation and infection because the body’s defenses are lowered. Stress can also impact how well you care for oral health, making you even more likely to experience problems.

Treating Bleeding Gums in Washington D.C.

There are multiple surgical and non-surgical methods that dentists can use to treat moderate to severe gum disease. Non-surgical methods include antibiotics, scaling, and root planing. Flap surgery, bone grafting, and tissue regeneration are surgical methods.

Antibiotics will help eliminate the bacteria that cause infection. Scaling is a treatment that removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the mouth. Root planing smooths out tooth roots and combats gum inflammation. As for surgical gum treatment methods, flap surgery lifts gum tissue back to expose tooth roots and clean out bacteria more effectively. Bone grafting treats receding gums by using transplanted bone. Tooth loss can be prevented through tissue regeneration that covers gums and keeps teeth in place.

Bleeding Gums FAQs

You should never ignore bleeding gums, which can signify a more serious problem. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.

How many days does it take for gums to stop bleeding?

If you take the right steps to stop the bleeding at home, your gums should heal in 3-10 days. Flossing regularly and brushing at least twice daily can aid in the recovery of damaged gum tissue.

How do you treat excessive bleeding gums?

The best way to treat bleeding gums is to practice oral hygiene and rinse your mouth frequently. Smoking, low vitamin levels, stress, and diet affect gum health. Stopping smoking and increasing vitamin intake will also help treat bleeding gums.

How long does gum disease take to develop?

Inflammation of the gums is a symptom of early-stage gingivitis and can appear in as little as five days. Gingivitis progresses within two to three weeks and typically shows more visible symptoms. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more time you give your periodontitis to progress.

How long does periodontal treatment take?

The average gum surgery procedure lasts two hours. In some circumstances, patients must be asleep or semi-conscious during the surgery. Sometimes the operation only entails numbing the gums using a local anesthetic, however the numbing injection used may cause some minor discomfort.

How long is periodontal surgery recovery?

It may take up to two weeks for your gums to fully recover, so you must follow your dentist’s instructions. During this time, be careful when chewing and engaging in strenuous activity, as your body is still healing.

Can bone regenerate after periodontal disease?

After periodontal disease, bone cannot regenerate independently; bone grafts, membranes, and tissue-stimulating proteins can encourage regrowth in regions where bone has been destroyed.

Can laser treatment cure periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease can be effectively treated using laser therapy. According to recent controlled research, lasers produce comparable outcomes to other treatment options, such as scaling and root planing.

Request a Dental Exam & Consultation

Contact Foxhall Smiles at 202-315-2188. You can also schedule an appointment with Dr. Catanzano and his professional dental team on our website. Dr. Catanzano and his staff are dedicated to ensuring patients are as comfortable as possible in their office. Please ask a dental team member if you have any remaining questions about periodontal therapy or other treatments.