Bleeding gums and bad breath are common complaints of most of my patients. I thought to write about the causes and treatment for my readers.
The Bacterial Colonies
The oral cavity or the mouth harbours 200 - 300 different types of bacterial species. In the absence of brushing these bacterial species grow to form a layer on the tooth known as dental plaque. Various metabolic products released from these bacteria are the major cause of bad breath. These metabolites affect the teeth, gums and deeper supporting tissues as well. In response to these toxin the margins of the gums adjacent to the tooth start getting inflamed and red which is the starting point of bleeding gums. This is known as Gingivitis.
The Calculus Formation
As time passes the minerals of the saliva get deposited in the plaque which hardens gradually leading to calculus formation. Calculus is the hard yellow to brown deposit on the tooth surface especially seen at the junction of the tooth and gums, which cannot be removed by brushing alone. After the formation of calculus a viscous cycle starts where calculus leads to more plaque formation and more plaque in turn gives rise to more calculus.
Gingivitis to Periodontitis
If the bacterial plaque and calculus cycle continues, the attachment of the gums to the tooth gets destroyed leading to Periodontitis. Still further destruction leads to exposed roots, mobile teeth and pocket formation. This is a very slow process and takes years to reveal its signs and symptoms so the patients almost never complain of pain even if the tooth or teeth become too mobile to be restored back to its original health.
How To Prevent And Treat It ?
Routine brushing disrupts and washes away the layer of plaque. This is the best method to stop the initiation and progression of gingivitis and periodontitis. Brushing of a child should be started as soon as the child gets his full set of teeth i.e. about 24 to 30 months of age. It should be noted however that even when the first tooth erupts in the mouth, about 6 to 7 months of age, cleaning should be performed with a damp cloth, mounted on the finger of the kid's parents.
Adults should brush twice a day, with greater emphasis on the bedtime brushing. If bleeding has started, a dentist prescribed mouthwash can help. If the calculus has been deposited, and bleeding occurs spontaneously, without any stimulation, it is the time for professional oral prophylaxis by a dentist.Specialized hand instruments as well as ultrasonic instruments are used to remove the calculus.
If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
The author Dr. Hamid Raihan is the founder President Of Discovering Dentistry. It is a Continuing Education Site For Dental Professionals, which guides on the latest advancements of dentsitry and its clinical procedures.
