Most people notice a little blood in the sink and decide they brushed too hard. Sometimes that is exactly what happened. But gums that bleed regularly are usually inflamed, and inflammation is the body doing something, not nothing.
Inflamed gum tissue is thin, and the blood supply beneath it is close to the surface. That is why it bleeds so readily, and it is also why the bacteria living in the pocket around a tooth do not stay where they started.
What we look at
At a checkup we measure the depth of the pocket around each tooth, look at how the gum sits against it, and note where the bleeding starts. None of that hurts, and all of it is written down so the next appointment has something to compare against.
If you are being treated for anything else, tell us. Diabetes, pregnancy, a new medication and a recent change in how you breathe at night all show up in the mouth, and knowing about them changes what we look for.
If your gums have been bleeding for a while, bring it up. It is a short conversation and an easy thing to look at, and it is far simpler to deal with early.
Rather just ask?
Nothing on this page is a substitute for someone looking at your teeth. Bring the question to an appointment.
Book a visit