When you brush your teeth, do you see blood? Bleeding gums every time you brush is not normal. It’s an indicator that there is something going wrong in your routine. Typically, blood is a sign that either you’re brushing too hard or you’re developing gum disease.
Brushing your teeth removes plaque (which causes cavities), allowing you to keep your smile white and shiny. Unlike tartar, the hard buildup of plaque bacteria that results from not brushing, plaque requires minimal pressure to remove. If you find you put some muscle into brushing, it’s a good idea to start using a lighter touch.
Most Canadians Experience Gum Disease
If aggressive brushing isn’t the answer, the likely culprit is early gum disease, which is more commonly known as gingivitis. Gums that have changed colour or consistently bleed when brushing are two of the most common first signs of gingivitis. Other signs include bad breath, tasting metal, and gums that are shiny, puffy or sore.
The Canadian Dental Association reports that approximately 70 per cent of Canadians will experience gum disease in their lifetime. Luckily, most cases won’t progress past gingivitis and can be reversed. You may not even realize you have gingivitis until a dentist points it out; it can progress quickly and painlessly.
Dr. Marianela Buendia, a dentist with a private practice in Toronto, said, “everyday I tell patients they have gingivitis. When they come in regularly, it’s not a problem because I can tell them they need to fix it. But when I only see them once every two or three years, it can be harder to manage.”
Gingivitis to Periodontal Disease
If gingivitis is left unaddressed, it can quickly develop into full blown periodontal disease, the final stage of gum disease. Tricky and costly to reverse the symptoms, there is no cure. Specialized dentists, called periodontists, can help to surgically restore lost gum and bone mass. But ultimately, your teeth will never fully regain their stability. You’ll also be more prone to serious mouth and jaw infections.
Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of tartar, which hardens along your gum line and creates an ongoing point of infection. You know that uncomfortable, slightly painful scraping the dentist does every cleaning appointment? It’s the most effective way to remove tartar and it’s one of the reasons your dentist is bugging you to schedule your next cleaning, Dr. Buendia said.
Periodontal disease can cause your gums to shrink, exposing bone, which was meant to be covered, to air. These new sections of exposed teeth can react painfully to air and temperature. There is also less gum mass holding your teeth in place. This leaves them unsteady and more likely to wiggle, fall out or need to be removed.
Teeth and Your Health
Our bodies are a wonder of interconnected systems that all rely on each other to work properly. Your mouth is no exception. Bad teeth can be detrimental to your overall health.
Bacteria from oral infections, like cavities, can travel through your bloodstream and impact other systems. It can potentially cause or worsen existing health problems. In turn, many chronic conditions can raise your likelihood of developing gum disease.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Gum disease makes you two to three times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or other serious heart complications. Researchers believe bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and damage blood vessels in the body. Both conditions are also strongly impacted by inflammation; researchers suggest that controlling one form of inflammation may help regulate the other.
Read about the dangers of untreated inflammation and learn some nutritional tips to help reduce it.
Kidney Disease
A large number of people facing kidney disease have developed periodontal disease. While researchers are not sure about the exact nature of the relationship, studies show that people with kidney disease are more prone to dental infections. Additionally, because of the link between kidney disease and heart disease, the associated cardiovascular events could raise your risk of developing gum disease. When your kidneys are compromised, it can make infections much worse and even gum disease could potentially send you to the hospital. Tell your dentist (or any other oral health professionals) if you have kidney disease, are on dialysis, or have had a transplant.
Lung Diseases
The epiglottis (a leaf shaped piece of cartilage that seals off the larynx, keeping food and water from entering the lungs) keeps bigger particles from entering the lungs and at the very least causing a coughing fit, but smaller particles can still get through. In fact, the microbes found in the lungs closely resemble those found in the mouth. Harmful bacteria from the mouth can lead to respiratory diseases such as influenza, asthma, COPD, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer.
Diabetes
A bidirectional relationship, gum disease can increase your risk of developing diabetes, and diabetes can dramatically increase your risk of developing gum disease. Diabetes and the associated medications can affect saliva production, changing the moisture level in the mouth, pH balance, and increasing glucose levels in spit. The link between mouth health and diabetes is so strong, it’s actually possible for your dentist to raise the first red flag. Dr. Buendia said, “if I notice a patient suddenly has dry mouth, gum disease, or more cavities, especially at the gum line or below, I will ask them if they have been tested for diabetes recently.”
Neurodegenerative Disease
Bacteria associated with gum disease can travel throughout the bloodstream and impact brain function. Researchers found that the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, which causes gingivitis, can and does travel to the brain. Studies even suggest that a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s, plaques of beta-amyloid protein found in the brain, develop as a response to gum disease infections. More research is needed to determine the exact relationship between gum disease and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Pregnancy
Anytime after the first trimester, it’s possible for pregnant women to develop a form of gum disease called pregnancy gingivitis. It’s caused by the increase in estrogen and progesterone hormones associated with pregnancy. It should go away shortly after giving birth, but talk to your dentist if it doesn’t. Developing in about 11 per cent of women, pregnancy gingivitis can cause preterm birth and low weight of the unborn child.
More Than Just a Smile
It’s hard to tell on your own when there is a problem. “People don’t tend to examine their gums,” Dr. Buendia said. “But I can see when their gums shrink or have discoloration. I’ve been trained to know the signs of gum disease and how to handle it. I want my patients to love their smile, because you’re happier when you smile. ”
Keeping your teeth clean can help boost your self esteem, but it contributes to much more than just a dazzling smile. Be confident in your teeth and your overall health by brushing regularly, flossing at least once a day, and visiting the dentist every six months.
~ Read more from The Health Insider ~
- Harmful Health Trends on TikTok: DON’T Try These at Home
Carnivore diets, cortisol detoxes, and testosterone maxxing are trending on TikTok—but experts warn they’re more harmful than helpful. - Journaling for Mental and Physical Health: A Step-by-Step GuideJournaling isn’t just writing, it’s self-care. It helps ease anxiety, improve sleep, and opens your eyes to hidden triggers and small victories.
- Bleeding Gums May Impact More Than Just Your MouthBleeding gums aren’t normal—they could be the first sign of gum disease, which may impact your heart, lungs, and more.
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
