The Tribune

By Dr Sparkman Ferguson

Registrar of the Bahamas Dental Council

Do you get bleeding from your gums? Does it happen occasionally? Does it happen daily? Does it happen with pain?

Bleeding gums are a common dental complaint. It can be experienced in people of all ages. However, it has less significance when seen in young persons, and the most when seen in adults 35)years or older.

What does bleeding

gums mean?

Generally speaking, and taken as a singular event, bleeding gums suggest that an individual is experiencing some type of gum inflammation or gum infection.

What is the meaning

of occasional

bleeding gums?

Occasional bleeding gums mean that bacteria have infiltrated the gum line and have caused gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. This inflammation occurs because bacteria causes ulcerations at the gum line and the gums in turn respond by bleeding.

This kind of gum bleeding sometimes serves as a reminder to many individuals that a professional dental cleaning is needed.

This bleeding stops immediately after a professional dental cleaning is performed. The reason is that the professional cleaning eliminates bacteria, which has caused the gum inflammation and bleeding.

What does everyday

bleeding mean?

If you are experiencing “everyday bleeding”, you are likely suffering from chronic gum inflammation. This type of inflammation comes about as a direct result of long periods of dental neglect. The result of this neglect is that bacteria form a crusty material that takes up residence under the gums.

Once this inflammation is entrenched for a long time, simply having a professional cleaning does not solve the concern. It is however, a necessary first step in beginning to solve the problem.

Such persons have advanced gum disease and often require the services of a dental gum specialist (periodontist). The treatments offered by a periodontist are all geared toward reversing the effects of the chronic inflammation, and eliminating the features of the disease. This requires the concentrated effort of the patient and the specialist.

What’s happening with

bleeding gums & pain?

If you are experiencing bleeding from the gums and it is accompanied by pain, you are likely suffering from an acute gum infection. Acute gum infections can take many forms and may be caused by an accidental scratch with the fingernails, or by microorganisms. Whatever the cause, the net result it that there is pain along with the bleeding. Treatments of these are all focused on treating the offending source, and returning the gums to normal health.

Conclusions

Bleeding from the gums should always be taken seriously. Although there are several other reasons for gum bleeding not mentioned in this article, when experienced, it is usually a “warning “ sign.

Warning signs offer an opportunity for persons to become proactive and check on bleeding gums. It is not advisable for persons to hope that these conditions will magically disappear.

As noted earlier, one may be suffering from a minor concern such as gingivitis, or one could be experiencing symptoms of an advanced gum disease that has the capability of threatening the general health of the entire mouth.