Mention Bleeding Gums at Your Dental Visit

Gums that bleed when you brush are an early sign worth raising at your next dental visit. The National Institutes of Health says gum disease starts with swollen, red and bleeding gums, and that it is an infection that inflames the tissues holding your teeth in place.

It usually comes from poor brushing and flossing that let plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, build up. NIH says plaque not removed every day can harden into tartar, which only a professional cleaning can remove, and in the worst cases teeth may loosen or need to be removed.

At the visit, the dentist checks the gums for inflammation, bleeding and receding, and uses a tiny ruler called a probe to measure the pockets around the teeth. NIH says healthy pockets are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters, and deeper ones can be a sign of periodontal disease. An x-ray can show bone loss.

Smoking is the most significant risk factor, NIH says, and gum disease is more common and severe in men than women. Older age, diabetes and genetics also play a role. NIH says early gum disease from plaque buildup often improves with daily brushing and flossing, so ask your dentist what is right for you.