Brushing your teeth feels a little uncomfortable this morning when you notice an alarming sight—blood in the sink when you spit out your toothpaste. Should you worry about this?
Would you worry about blood in the sink if you were washing your hands? The answer is yes! Bleeding during brushing or flossing is one of the first signs of gum disease, an infection of the gums that support your teeth. The infection will eventually move into your jawbone if left untreated, so it's essential to take steps to treat gum disease as soon as you spot it.
Gum Disease and General Health
Over the years, science has discovered a clear connection between gum disease and other non-dental, systemic health concerns, such as:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Dementia
- Respiratory disease
- Stroke
- Complications during pregnancy, including low birthweight in babies
We know that the bacteria that cause a gum infection can join the bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body, contributing to the inflammation responsible for these other health problems and vice versa. So, suffering from gum disease makes your body more susceptible to other health concerns.
Gum Disease Treatment in Brandon, FL
Visiting your dentist every six months for teeth cleanings and checkups is truly the best way to protect yourself from problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist can detect these problems much earlier when they're easier to treat.
If we detect gingivitis, which is early gum disease, many patients can successfully manage their condition with improvements to their home care routine and a thorough professional teeth cleaning with their hygienist.
Your Brandon dentist is also well-equipped to treat periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, with a deep cleaning that reaches below the gumline, antibiotic therapy, or recommendations for surgery for severe cases.
If it's time for your next preventive teeth cleaning and checkup, contact Walker & Barr, DMD, at (813) 689-5928.