Gum disease is a condition where the gums and underlying tissues can become inflamed when bacteria accumulate around the teeth. This can cause the tissue to bleed or look red and irritated. If left untreated, this bacterial activity can go deeper into the bone itself. There are two stages of gum disease: less advanced gum disease (gingivitis) and more advanced gum disease otherwise known as periodontal disease. 

One good reason to care about your gums is that gingivitis may be reversed through proper oral hygiene. If you’re dealing with gingivitis, “this stage hasn’t yet reached the bone.” 

By contrast, periodontal disease typically requires more in-depth treatment. Without treatment, this stage of gum disease may lead to irreversible loss of bone resulting in losing a tooth or teeth. In Kenya , advanced gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults.

“Gingivitis is reversible. Sometimes this requires professional help; sometimes it can be achieved with an oral hygiene routine at home, While you can sometimes reverse gingivitis with an oral hygiene routine, you may still want to consult our team about the right treatment for you. Even if the bacterial activity hasn’t reached an advanced stage yet, “some plaque isn’t removable with just flossing and brushing.

If the gum disease gets worse, the answer is more complicated. We can’t restore bone loss. If the gum disease enters its more advanced stages, you’re at risk of losing gum tissue or bone that you can’t get back. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing your dentist and hygienist can do, though. The condition can be stabilized. We can stop further gum recession and bone loss.

First, don’t panic, If flossing is not a regular routine, most likely areas between teeth will contain some mature plaque, causing inflammation. Any attempt to disturb the inflamed that area will cause bleeding and it can’t get better unless the plaque will be removed. Therefore continue flossing even if you bleed on the first attempts, following an oral hygiene routine (brushing twice a day, flossing once a day – preferably before bed) and watching for any changes in the bleeding: “Notice if they’re bleeding after about a week of proper hygiene and see your dentist to find out why.

You may want to swap out your toothbrush for a softer one, too. Sometimes firmer bristles can irritate your gums and make them more likely to bleed. 

If your gums are still bleeding after two weeks of daily flossing and brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, you should consider scheduling an appointment at a dental clinic. Dental professionals are well-placed to help you understand the cause of the bleeding and can advise you on oral hygiene techniques. And, if the cause of bleeding does turn out to be gum disease, they’ll be able to determine the stage of the condition, use x-rays to check for bone loss and recommend a treatment plan. 

As you might’ve guessed, bleeding gums are a common sign! We advises watching for any persistent bleeding when you brush or floss, blood on your toothbrush, and bleeding that takes time to settle. 

Teeth feeling ‘loose’ would be more extreme and can be a sign of more advanced gum disease. You should contact a dentist if you notice any looseness. 

While it’s good to watch out for warning signs, only a dental professional can diagnose gum disease, determine the stage of the condition, and recommend a treatment plan to reverse or stabilise it (that’s one reason why routine hygiene appointments and check-ups are important). 

Spontaneous bleeding is concerning, but sometimes certain types of medications can affect this, We normally judge gingivitis based on probing the gums and bleeding on contact, which can indicate inflammation.

You should mention any bleeding to your dentist