Sensitivity & Discomfort in the gums

Who does not know it? A little blood when spitting out the toothpaste after brushing your teeth makes very few people suspicious. Frequent gum bleeding can indicate periodontitis, i.e. inflammation of the tooth apparatus, and in the worst case lead to tooth loss. But do not panic, according to the Hamburg Dental Association, early forms of periodontitis can be treated well in most cases. However, one should not ignore the seemingly harmless bleeding gums.

How do Gum problems occur?

The Ulm University Hospital states that over 80% of all adults show signs of gingivitis, i.e. inflammation of the gums. This high number is surprising. Would you have thought so? The classic symptoms of this disease include redness and swelling of the gums as well as bleeding gums. In most cases, so-called plaque, i.e. bacterial plaque on the gums or in the spaces between the teeth, is to blame. Often the whole thing can be traced back to poor oral hygiene, but there are also special bacteria and other factors such as diabetes, stress and smoking that particularly favor the disease.

What is the risk of swollen gums?

As mentioned earlier, bleeding gums can be one of the symptoms of gingivitis along with bad breath. This can develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis is always preceded by gingivitis, but not every gingivitis has to develop into periodontitis. You can read more about the exact course of the disease on the website of the German Society for Periodontology (DGParo). We just want to make it clear why you should take bleeding gums seriously and treat them (or have them treated). The explanation is clear: untreated or too late discovered periodontitis gradually destroys the periodontium and jawbone, which can initially lead to loosening and ultimately to the loss of teeth. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) also states that bacteria can spread throughout the body as a result of such an inflammation and thus pose completely different risks to general health. In particular, the risk of strokes, circulatory diseases and premature births is relatively high in connection with periodontitis.

Since a dentist can detect and treat gum problems in the early stages, we recommend that you visit them if you have symptoms such as frequent discomfort in gums and bad breath.

What can you do if you are experiencing gum problems?

As with all bacterial complaints in the oral cavity, regular and thorough brushing of the teeth works wonders. With the help of a toothbrush that should not be older than three months and an antibacterial toothpaste, you can remove large areas of food residue and plaque that are the cause of gum problems and weakend gums.The right technique is the be-all and end-all here, because not only all tooth surfaces but also spaces between them should be reached. You can also use dental floss for this. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for at least three minutes two to three times a day. But be careful, you shouldn't use too much force, otherwise you could injure your gums, which are sensitive anyway. If the gums are already experiencing discomfort, you should pay attention to a particularly gentle and careful cleaning, otherwise bacteria can continue to multiply. It would make sense to use softer toothbrushes here.

No less helpful for preventing gum problems is an antibacterial mouthwash, which also helps stops bad bacteria in the entire oral cavity.

We also strongly recommend that you use a tongue cleaner as part of your daily dental care routine. With a special tongue scraper you can gently and effectively remove deposits from the surface of the tongue, which are often responsible for sulphurous-rotten odours. As you can see, the tongue should not be neglected in your oral hygiene.

If discomfort in gums do not go away after a few days even after improved oral hygiene, you should seek dental treatment. Our advice is that if you are experiencing discomfort and sensitivity in your gums, do not panic, but take it seriously and monitor it. In the course of dental check-ups, gum problems can be detected and treated at an early stage. So make sure to keep these appointments!