Are Bleeding Gums Serious?
If there are streaks of blood in the sink after your child brushes their teeth, indicating that their gums are bleeding when they brush or floss, observe their brushing and flossing for the next few days and make sure they’re being gentle yet thorough in their approach. Bleeding gums in children are often caused by minor mechanical issues, like clumsy brushing or intense flossing as they learn the basics, and these issues can be prevented with careful parental attention and consistent instruction in effective cleaning techniques. When bleeding gums persist for a week or more, it’s time for the child to see their dentist. While it could point to “user error,” chronic bleeding while brushing and flossing is also a common early indicator of gum disease, and prompt attention from a dentist is the best way to keep this from progressing into periodontal disease or another infectious oral condition.
Along with chronic bleeding, other signs that it’s time to see a dentist include:
- Visibly swollen or “angry” gums
- Painful gums
- Chronic foul breath
- Canker sores or other mouth injuries that don’t heal promptly
After a careful and thorough examination, your child’s dentist will determine the next course of action. If their bleeding gums appear to be the result of improper hygiene techniques or inappropriate materials, the dental hygienist will review proper methods and materials with you and your child, making sure you both know the best gentle yet effective ways to thoroughly and safely keep the teeth and oral tissues clean without damaging them. This means using soft-bristled toothbrushes, brushing softly in a circular motion, and flossing carefully and precisely, without slicing or stabbing the gums.
Aside from the understandable learning curve for new brushers and flossers, the most common reason children’s gums bleed is gum disease. This inflammatory condition is caused by the buildup of bacterial plaque on the tooth surfaces; as this plaque lingers, it calcifies, turning into tartar. While plaque can be removed from the teeth by brushing and flossing, hardened tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. Even the most meticulous brushers and flossers, no matter their age, can’t be expected to clear away every iota of plaque, so some residual tartar is inevitable. With routine checkups and cleanings, however, dentists can monitor for early signs of gum disease, and hygienists can thoroughly clean and polish the teeth to remove tartar and reduce the likelihood of gum disease. Regular dental cleanings and routine checkups, combined with effective home hygiene and balanced nutrition, make up the important foundations of preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
It’s also important to see a dentist or other medical professional if your child’s bleeding gums are accompanied by a fever or if swelling interferes with the ability to breathe easily and swallow effectively; this could indicate infection and requires medical intervention. In a significant majority of cases, bleeding gums are the result of injury to the tissues, which can happen with improper brushing and flossing or with more obviously injurious events, or the result of early stages of gum disease. Because gum disease can be reversed when intercepted early enough, routine dental visits are key, and so is visiting the dentist if you or your child consistently notice small amounts of blood after brushing and flossing.
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