Red Alert!
  Fall 2008

PhotoIf your gums bleed when you brush, or if you notice traces of blood on your toothbrush or in the sink after you rinse your mouth, it may be a warning sign of gum disease.

Scrubbing your teeth vigorously with a hard toothbrush can also lead to bleeding gums, but in most instances any "pink in the sink" can be traced directly back to some degree of gum disease, or at least some accumulation of dental plaque where the teeth meet the gums.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that, if not removed on a daily basis, builds up at the gum line. Any accumulation serves to inflame the gum tissues, which initiates the first step toward gum disease: gingivitis. Gums then become red and irritated, and may bleed when you brush or floss.

It is vitally important to remove dental plaque from your teeth and under the gums. While vigilant dental home care is key, regular, professional cleanings and scaling at your dental office are also vital, to remove the plaque from areas you may not be able to reach, and control any chance of plaque accumulation and subsequent gum inflammation.

Gum disease ("periodontitis" or "periodontal disease") is a common bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. If this infection isn't taken care of, the gums and bone that support the teeth deteriorate, leading to tooth loss. Periodontitis is usually painless in its early stages, and therefore a "silent" disease. Once it starts progressing however, you may notice some of these indicators of possible gum disease:

  • Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth or eat hard foods.
  • Red, swollen or tender gums.
  • Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, or teeth that look longer than before.
  • Pus between your teeth and gums.
  • New spaces between your teeth.
  • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth.
  • A change in the way your teeth or partial dentures fit together when you bite.

Even if the above indicators aren't obvious, be aware that plaque can be working against your dental health in ways you may not notice on a day-to-day basis. If it accumulates on your teeth, it can inflame your gums and cause a gap to form between the teeth and the gums. Once this "pocket" opens up, the inflammation will continue and potentially lead to bone loss, then loose or missing teeth.

Fight back against a plaque attack by including these simple steps in your lifestyle:

  • Floss every day. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth and under your gum line, where your toothbrush can't reach. Floss before you brush your teeth, preferably before you go to bed at night.
  • Brush your teeth after eating. At the very least, brush after breakfast and never forget to brush before you go to bed.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means a nutritious diet, and abstaining from tobacco, the use of which has been linked to the development of gum disease and deterioration of overall health.
  • Visit your dentist regularly - that's as frequently as every three months in some cases - for professional cleanings, where the dentist or hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar.

Call for a dental appointment immediately if you notice any possible symptoms of gum disease. The good news is that with proper care, gum disease can often be prevented. Even if it has started, it can usually be treated and halted if you catch it in the early stages.

© Market Connections Inc

Office Hours

Mon.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tues.: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wed.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs.: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Our Location

121 Congressional Lane
Suite 501
Rockville, MD 20852
Conveniently Located
Near the Twinbrook
Metro Station


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