What to do about bleeding gums?

Quickly brush your teeth fresh in between after lunch. Your colleague is washing her hands in front of the sink next to you. With a concerned look, she looks into yours after you have just rinsed your mouth. 'Wow, you have bleeding gums! Quickly turn on the tap to rinse the container clean. "It's not that bad, is it?" you answer with a surprised look. "I do so often!"

Inflamed gums

Gums that bleed as soon as a toothbrush touches them are not really in good condition. A healthy mouth should be able to withstand good brushing. If you spit out blood when rinsing, it is almost certain that your gums are inflamed.

Inflamed gums and dental plaque

The better you take care of your teeth, the less chance of inflamed gums. In the event of poor care, a kind of deposit will soon form on your teeth. This is called dental plaque. A wonderful hiding place for all kinds of bacteria. They cause annoying inflammation during the transition from the teeth to the gums.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Two difficult words. The first word stands for a starting inflammation of the gums, and the second for an already developed inflammation.   Healthy gums are pink in color and fit neatly to the teeth. In case of inflammation, the gums are redder in color and often also swollen, causing them to stand out from the teeth.

Bad breath

Plaque and inflammation can cause bad breath. Too many bacteria do not really provide a fresh mouth. Due to the swelling, you can sometimes no longer reach everything between and with the toothbrush. You also automatically do less thorough brushing if it doesn't feel pleasant or painful.

What can you do?

Brush thoroughly two or three times a day and use interdental brushes, dental floss and a tongue scraper in addition. There are various types of toothpaste for sale, specifically aimed at sensitive or inflamed gums. Mouthwash helps remove plaque, but don't use it too often. There are also disadvantages to it. If none of this helps, ask your dentist in Arlington, VA, for advice before the inflammation causes irreversible damage.