Blood and Toothpaste: What to do if your gums hurt
Most likely, you remember the ads on TV, in which, after brushing the teeth in the sink, there is blood - and the problem is quickly resolved with a special toothpaste. We understand what to do if the paste did not help, why gums bleed at all and what to do with it.
What is gingivitis
If the mucous membrane near the teeth is red, inflamed and easily injured when cleaning - this is gingivitis, that is, inflammation of the gums. Sometimes it is accompanied by bad breath and soreness during meals. If you do not pay attention to gingivitis, the inflammation can penetrate deeper - into the gap between the tooth and bone - and periodontitis, that is, inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth will occur. At the same time, so-called pockets are formed, which can be filled with pus, and in the final stages the teeth become mobile and cannot be saved.
Sometimes the causes of gingivitis are associated with hormonal changes (but even then the condition of the gums can be improved), and in most cases it can be prevented by adjusting your habits - the most important thing is proper tooth brushing and stopping smoking.
Hygiene problems
A large number of bacteria that irritate the mucous membrane with products of their vital activity inhabit plaque. If the plaque is not eliminated well, then inflammation begins: the gum area under the plaque becomes very sensitive and blood and discomfort immediately appear when brushing your teeth. This triggers a vicious cycle: cleaning does not work well, because it hurts, and the pain intensifies due to inadequate hygiene.
Toothpaste to care for the gum contains two types of active substances: bacteriostatic, aimed at combating the very microorganisms, and anti-inflammatory, aimed at stopping the inflammatory reaction. Such a paste can help - but only after a high-quality removal of dental plaque in the dentist’s office. It is completely impossible to remove the plaque on its own, especially if it is dense or is deep under the gum. In this case, the cause of inflammation will not be eliminated, and the components of toothpaste will not be able to penetrate to where they should act.
Traumatic cleaning
It is easy to injure mucous membranes - for example, if a toothbrush is too rigid or moves horizontally instead of vertical “sweeping” movements. The gum can also be cut with dental floss, if you don’t act carefully enough - if you regularly injure the mucosa with a floss, it makes sense to switch to an irrigator to clean the gaps between the teeth. Questions about the selection of hygiene products and proper cleaning techniques are solved in the doctor's office - the dentist may even be asked to show how you brush your teeth and correct actions.
Smoking and fast food
Nicotine is very harmful to the tissues surrounding the teeth: it is proven that it inhibits the growth of fibroblasts (gum cells) and the formation of fibronectin and collagen proteins - the "building blocks" of a healthy periodontal disease. Periodontal cells (ligaments that hold the tooth in place), exposed to nicotine, grow slower and contain less protein, their membranes are damaged and their shape changes. In addition, smoking reduces the chances of successful treatment.
For dental health in general, it is important to eat more vegetables and fruits - and less fast food and sugar. Improper diet can lead to obesity - and it adversely affects the health of the gums and periodontal tissues and disrupts the healing process.
Hormones and drugs
There is a concept of "gingivitis of pregnant women": due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, gum overgrowth can occur, hygiene becomes difficult, plaque accumulates and the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. A similar situation happens in adolescents during hormonal adjustment. The most important thing is not to be afraid to visit the dentist and be sure to undergo professional hygiene during pregnancy.
Gingivitis and periodontitis can also be associated with processes occurring in diabetes mellitus, or with the use of certain drugs, especially those that cause dry mouth, such as drugs for treating cancer or HIV infection.
What to do with it
Before you spend money on toothpaste advertising, you should go to the dentist. Most likely, the first step will be professional hygiene, training in cleaning teeth and the selection of hygiene products. Sometimes, in case of severe periodontitis, certain medications are prescribed - for example, antibiotics or antiseptics. The dentist can also refer you to an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, or prescribe tests.
To keep your mouth healthy, you need to follow the simplest rules: brush your teeth twice a day, using a suitable brush and paste and following proper techniques (sweeping vertical movements for a hand brush or smooth movement of an electric brush along your teeth). It is very important to ensure that leftover food does not get stuck between the teeth - a dental floss or irrigator will be useful for this. Smoking is better to give up permanently, and go to the doctor for a checkup and hygiene every six months.
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