Are Bleeding Gums a Dental Emergency?

Blood is usually a warning sign that you need some care. You scrape your knee, and the blood tells you that it’s deep enough that you should clean and protect the wound. There aren’t many instances in which people ignore blood. 

If you see blood on your gums, then you’re probably wondering how alarmed you should feel. 

Here’s the good news. Unless you got bashed in the mouth by something, bleeding gums usually don’t warrant emergency dentistry. They mean that you should visit Nisha Modi, DMD, and our Miracle Smile Dental team, though. 

Here at our Aubrey, Texas, office, we can figure out what’s causing that bleeding. Just as importantly, we work with you to get the bleeding to stop.

Why gums bleed

You might see blood on your gums because you brushed too hard or you have a separate health issue, such as a vitamin C or K deficiency. Usually, though, bleeding gums come from plaque. 

The bacteria that make plaque produce acid, and that’s an irritant to your gums. If you don’t get rid of that plaque regularly, it can lead to gum disease.

In its early stages (gingivitis), gum disease usually causes red, tender gums that bleed easily. If you let it go unchecked, though, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis. 

This form of gum disease causes pockets between your gums and your teeth, where bacteria thrive, which can take a toll on the soft tissue and bone that supports your teeth, even leading to tooth loss. 

In other words, bleeding gums aren’t a dental emergency — but they are a serious warning sign that you need better oral care. 

Healing your bleeding gums

If you’ve noticed blood on your floss or your toothbrush, visit Dr. Modi. Here at our office, she evaluates your gums and determines if you’re being affected by gingivitis or periodontitis. 

If it’s gingivitis, you can usually reverse it with diligent at-home care paired with regular professional teeth cleanings. Brushing and flossing daily removes the plaque that’s causing your gum disease and the bleeding. 

If things have progressed to the point where bacteria is in pockets under your gum line, Dr. Modi likely recommends a treatment called scaling and root planing. This process removes bacteria and smooths your tooth root to encourage your gum tissue to reattach.

Whatever treatment your gums need, Dr. Modi can help you heal them. The sooner you see her, the easier it generally is to reverse gum disease and stop the bleeding. 

If you’ve noticed blood in your mouth, use our convenient online scheduling tool today to book an appointment, or contact us at 469-765-3567.