Do you have bleeding gums or chronic bad breath? Do you find blood on your pillow in the morning? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions you may have gum disease.
Bleeding Gums
Periodontal (gum) disease is rampant. It is estimated that 80% of the adult population over the age of 40, have it. Most people aren’t even aware that they have it since it is fairly painless with minimal symptoms. If left untreated, the obvious sequelae include painful abscesses, loose teeth, and finally tooth loss. The less obvious sequelae is chronic inflammation in the body, heart attack and strokes.
The worst part is that many dental professionals tend to overlook gum disease, since they are so focused on the actual teeth, not the supporting structures (gums and bone) holding them in your mouth. So going for routine dental checkups may not even be useful in getting a proper diagnosis.
Not all bleeding gums are indicative of periodontal disease. But it does indicate something is amiss.
Here are some other reasons for bleeding gums:
1. Poor or infrequent brushing
2. Poor or infrequent flossing (See our post Floss First)
3. Vitamin deficiency
4. Smoking
5. Stress (See our post Cures for the Grinding Holiday Stress)
6. Crooked or overlapping teeth
7. Medication side effects
8. Sharing saliva with someone who has gum disease. (See our post Gum Disease is Contagious)
9. Pregnancy or hormonal imbalance (See our post Dental Health During Pregnancy)
10. Acidic saliva pH (See our post Saliva Secrets: pH)
11. Oral flora is off balance (See our post Oral Probiotics)
If these circumstances are not recognized or corrected, bleeding gums may become a chronic condition and eventually turn into periodontal disease. There are many simple and natural ways to heal bleeding gums before it becomes full blown periodontal disease. Something as simple as increasing your Vitamin C intake may not only stop your bleeding gums but may also reduce bruising, prevent cataracts, and strengthen your entire immune system. The health of our mouth is a reflection of the health of our entire body, so it is important to listen to what our teeth and gums are telling us.
Conventional dentistry is fairly aggressive at treating the symptoms of periodontal disease, but it may never actually address the underlying cause, setting you up for a lifetime of chronic periodontal care that never cures it. If this is your situation, it may be time to see a biological dentist who may actually help you find the origin and eliminate it completely.
So if you have bleeding gums, it is best to have a qualified licensed health professional evaluate your oral cavity. And always get a second opinion before moving forward with any aggressive periodontal treatment.
If you like this post you may also like: Gum Disease is Contagious
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