Things You'll Need:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Listerine
- Dentist/Dental Hygienist
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Step 1
Look in the mirror at your gums. They are puffy, red, and bleed easily. Check your teeth for a white sticky film. Using your fingernail you can scratch your tooth surface. If you remove the white sticky stuff from your tooth then you know you have plaque. Plaque is a white bacteria filled substance that naturally develops on your teeth. If you find this on your teeth then you need to take steps to remove it. Plaque will cause your gums to bleed from gingivitis.
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Step 2
A second cause of bleeding gums could be pocketing. Pocketing is when your gum tissue detaches from the tooth surface and causes deep spaces where food and bacteria can get caught. This may be a sign of Periodontal Disease. Your Dentist can tell you if you have pockets or Periodontal Disease. The sooner you have periodontal disease diagnosed the sooner you may be able to save your teeth!
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Step 3
If your bleeding is not caused by visible plaque (as in step one) or pocketing (step two) you may have bacteria in between your teeth, often caused by lack of flossing. Flossing will remove plaque from those hard to reach in between areas that a toothbrush won't hit.
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Step 4
Gums may also bleed from certain medications, pregnancy or hormonal changes. Keep this in mind. Your dental professional can help you diagnose these problems. Be sure to visit your Dentist at least every 3-6 months. They will put you on a schedule that fits your needs.
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Step 5
In the mean time. Be sure to brush your teeth and gums 2 times a day with a soft toothbrush 2 mintues at a time. Once after breakfast and Once before bed. This will remove most of the plaque that causes gingivitis. Healthy gums start with a good brushing. Don't be afraid of a little blood if you do notice it on your toothbrush or when you spit in the sink. This is a sign that you have hit an area that has a bacterial infection in most cases. Brushing will help to clear this infection up by removing the bacteria near the gums. I also recommend a Sonic Care toothbrush, it can remove a lot more plaque than just brushing alone. I've noticed patients of mine, who come in at 6 month recalls with almost NO deposits for me to clean off once they switch to a sonic care.
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Step 6
If you do notice bleeding, I suggest rinsing with Listerine which kills the germs that cause gingivitis. You don't have to use it all the time. Probably for about a week and that should clear up most of the germs. (that is if you are keeping up with a good dental cleansing regimine). Add listerine now and then if you notice bleeding.
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Step 7
Flossing. Ahh yes. Flossing. Your favorite thing! Getting that floss in between your teeth and rubbing the tooth to remove plaque will be uncomfortable at first. In fact your gums may feel a little itchy for the first 5 days or so. That just means you are hitting areas that are full of bacteria and are in need of this. Flossing will probably make your gums bleed at first. Expect bleeding for almost 10 days when first starting a flossing routine. all it takes is about a minute of flossing every day and in 10 days you will see how much better your gums are getting. (once again, if your dental professional hasn't ruled out periodontal disease you may have pocketing that needs to be treated if bleeding persists)
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Step 8
Check it out!LOOK AT YOUR GUMS CLOSELY IN THE MIRROR!!! You've brushed, flossed and rinsed every day for 10 days and you have a fabulous smile!!!! CONGRATS!! I'm really proud of you!
Comments
healthymomof5 said
on 1/22/2009 Great advice! 5*