Call me back

Bleeding gums

There are many reasons why you may experience bleeding gums from something simple, like using the wrong technique when you brush or floss, or it could be a sign of a more serious issue such as a health condition you need to check out.

Common Causes

  • You may have bleeding gums if you:
  • Have gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis or periodontitis)
  • Brush too hard or your toothbrush is too hard
  • Just started a flossing routine and your gums aren't used to it yet
  • Take certain medications, like blood thinners
  • Have inflamed gums because you're pregnant (pregnancy gingivitis)
  • Have dentures that don't fit well
  • Faulty dental restorations
  • Underlying medical condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, discuss this with your Envisage Dental Basingstoke dentist or hygienist at your next review. If you are suffering inflammation or discomfort, don’t wait for your next review, give us a call on 01256 461888 as soon as possible to get it checked out.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth - a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are harmful for the health of your gums.

If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing them regularly, it builds up, particularly under the gum line and hardens into tartar, which becomes more difficult to remove. Tartar can irritate your gums and lead to redness with bleeding, swelling and soreness.

Gingivitis can be prevented and often managed with a good oral hygiene regime. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash, and see your dentist regularly.

During your routine reviews and dental hygiene visits at Envisage Dental Basingstoke we will address any early signs of gum disease, giving your teeth a thorough clean and remove any hardened plaque (tartar). We will also show you how to clean your teeth effectively to help prevent plaque building up in the future.

If you have an increased risk of developing gum problems (for example, you smoke or have diabetes), you may be advised to visit Envisage Dental Basingstoke more often so your teeth and gums can be closely monitored.

Periodontitis

If you don't take care of your gingivitis in its early stages, it can lead to a more progressive form of gum disease known as periodontal disease or periodontitis.

At this stage the original plaque build up has developed into a harder, more damaging substance known as tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove, hides under the gum line and contains more harmful bacteria. If tartar is not effectively removed, bacteria will develop further and start to damage the soft tissue around the gums, creating pockets between the gumline and the teeth. Once these pockets are formed, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the disease as they create hard to reach areas for bacteria to continue to develop.

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that, without treatment, can eventually destroy the bone that supports your teeth, leading to loose teeth or even tooth loss.

There are wider health risks associated with periodontitis too. The bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter your bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting other parts of your body. For example, periodontitis is linked with respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes.

Signs of Periodontitis include:

  • Gums bleed easily
  • Red, swollen, tender gums
  • Gums pull away from the base of your teeth
  • Bad breath and/or bad taste in your mouth

If you have Periodontitis you will need to regularly see the Envisage Dental Basingstoke dental and hygiene team to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums and manage the condition. In some cases, surgery may need to be carried out, usually performed by a dental specialist in gum problems (periodontist).

When to see your dentist or hygienist

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you should discuss this with your Envisage Dental Basingstoke dentist or hygienist at your next review. If, however you are suffering from painful, swollen gums, don’t wait for your next review. Give us a call on 01256 461888 as soon as possible to get it checked out.

Our dentist and/or hygienist will carry out a thorough dental examination to check the health of your gums. In some cases, a number of X-rays may be needed to check the condition of your teeth and jaw bone.

Hygienist

Amanda Byrne

"Amanda is extremely professional, best hygienist I have had. Also very approachable and informative." Qualifying in 1993 at the Royal Army Dental Training Centre, Amanda is our long standing Hygienist at our Basingstoke dental clinic. Amanda has a professional and friendly manner believing that prevention is essential to maintaining a healthy mouth and general well being. In her spare...

Amanda Byrne
Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Envisage Dental Basingstoke. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

692 Reviews

5.0

8th December 2024

Easy to book an appointment. And seen on the appointment time.

3rd December 2024

Have been visiting Amanda the hygienist for many years. She's professional, friendly and very good at what she does. My teeth always feel lovely after She's cleaned them.

29th November 2024

Amanda and Emma are excellent at their jobs and are the reason I stay with Envisage

27th November 2024

The surgery responded immediately and met my needs

26th November 2024

The staff although we miss Ria

24th November 2024

based on the number of years that I have been a patient at this practice I would recommend it to anyone.

23rd November 2024

Everyone is so friendly, Kylie on reception is so friendly and helpful, Emma my dentist is also friendly, professional and caring,and her nurse,the environment is clean and inviting.

20th November 2024

I have always been pleased with the treatment I have had at the dental practice.

20th November 2024

Very thorough and professional.

17th November 2024

Fantastic service and friendly and helpful team of staff

16th November 2024

Amanda the hygienist is fantastic, very knowledgeable and patient with me as I’m a nervous patient

15th November 2024

Emma is a great dentist

14th November 2024

The staff were welcoming and friendly, putting my 4 year old daughter at ease and making it a very positive experience for her. Many thanks.

13th November 2024

I always feel comfortable and relaxed. The care I receive from Emma and Amanda is great. Highly recommended.

10th November 2024

Everything went fine.NB On this urvey the Hygienist does not have a nurse so question does not have a N/A box.

3rd November 2024

Friendly and informative staff, made to feel at ease and very welcoming. All the steps/instructions were explained carefully and all questions answered.

25th October 2024

I had an out of sequence request re tooth ache and the surgery was able to respond same day

25th October 2024

I am an extremely nervous patient and the staff made me feel at ease as soon as I walked through the door. My dentist explained everything to me as it was happening and it made the whole process far less stressful than I was expecting.

23rd October 2024

Treated respectfully, my concerns were listened to, nurse and Dentist were cheerful and smiled at me, The numbing injection was undertaken so carefully I hardly felt it. The treatment was undertaken with attention to detail and I felt reassured that everyone had done their best to help me.

23rd October 2024

Everything was great. No negative comments. Amanda is always extremely professional and friendly.

Prev Previous
Next Next