If your gums bleed after you brush and floss your teeth, you may have gingivitis. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is the earliest stage of gum disease. Gum inflammation is often marked by bleeding gums, gum sensitivity, and red or swollen gum tissue. At Bethesda Family Smiles, Dr. Srotalina Khanna and her dental team can reverse bleeding gums in Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Khanna thoroughly examines her patient’s smiles and takes their dental and medical history into account for the most precise treatment possible. She collaborates with her patients to find the best general, cosmetic, or restorative treatment options for their specific needs. Please contact her office if you have noticed any changes in your oral health and she will be happy to help you.
How to Prevent Gum Inflammation
The best way to prevent the progression of gum disease is to have a regular oral hygiene routine and to visit the dentist biannually. We recommend that patients floss every day before they brush. This ensures that any food debris between the teeth is cleaned out. Over time, bacteria can accumulate between the teeth. Plaque and tartar buildup irritate and infect the gum tissue. As a result, many patients experience gum sensitivity and bleeding gums when they brush and floss. Brushing and flossing regularly can eliminate these symptoms.
At routine dental appointments, Dr. Khanna or a member of her team will thoroughly examine your smile. Our dental hygienists will also perform a deep cleaning, removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Patients who do not visit the dentist on a regular basis are more prone to developing problems like gum inflammation and gum disease.
Treating Signs of Gum Inflammation and Infection
The most common symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, tooth and gum sensitivity, and bad breath. Over time, periodontitis can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss. To help treat patients with gingivitis and periodontitis, Dr. Khanna offers scaling and root planing. These treatments are used together to provide a deep clean.
To begin, Dr. Khanna or a member of her dental team will use a precise dental instrument to clean the gums. For scaling treatment, we remove plaque and tartar from around and even beneath the gum tissue. Root planing removes plaque and tartar from the tooth roots, smoothing them down so they can remain attached to the teeth and gums.
If you have severe symptoms of gum disease, including deep gum pockets and missing teeth, Dr. Khanna may refer you to an oral surgeon. Gum surgery is an option for patients who are well beyond the early stages of periodontitis.
Contact Our Dental Office
Do you want to treat painful, bleeding gums? Request a dental appointment with Dr. Khanna on our website today. Are you a new patient of Bethesda Family Smiles? Call our dental office at 301.500.2205. If you are a current patient, please call 301.530.0700. Please let us know if you have any remaining questions or concerns about your tooth and gum health. We will always assist our patients.