If your gums bleed when brushing, don’t normalize it. Although bleeding can have different causes, when it recurs it deserves an evaluation. It can warn of a disease that progresses silently and compromises the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
“There is a fundamental message: the absence of pain does not guarantee that the gums are healthy. Periodontal disease can go unnoticed until significant damage appears,” explains Dr. Elena Solís González, dentist and CEO of Renaissance Dental Clinic.
Dental plaque is a film of bacteria that can harden and turn into tartar, the removal of which requires professional care. The initial inflammation, called gingivitis, can be reversed; but when it progresses to periodontitis, it can destroy dental support.
“To detect it, we evaluate the gums, measure the spaces around the teeth and, when appropriate, use x-rays to identify bone loss. A healthy-looking smile is not a substitute for this review,” adds the expert.
A connection that goes beyond a smile
In periodontitis, the gum barrier can deteriorate, making it easier for bacteria and their products to enter the circulation. Persistent inflammation can also contribute to the body’s inflammatory response.
“These mechanisms help investigate its relationship with other diseases,” says the doctor:
– Diabetes:
The relationship works in both directions: high glucose promotes gum problems and periodontal disease can make sugar control difficult. Its treatment can help glycemic control as a complement to medical monitoring.
– Cardiovascular diseases:
Periodontitis has been associated with heart attacks and strokes. It is studied how bacteria and inflammation could affect blood vessels, although causality has not been proven nor that periodontal treatment prevents these events.
– Alzheimer’s:
Research explores associations between periodontal bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, and cognitive decline. These findings do not prove that a gum infection causes Alzheimer’s.
-Rheumatoid arthritis:
It is being investigated how certain immune responses against oral bacteria could intervene in this autoimmune disease. Having periodontitis does not mean that you will necessarily develop arthritis.
-Pregnancy problems:
Maternal periodontitis has been associated with prematurity and low birth weight. Although treating it has not been proven to prevent these complications, indicated dental care is safe during pregnancy and should not be postponed for this reason.
Act before the pain
“I recommend brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily and maintaining individualized checks. Recurrent bleeding, persistent bad breath, receding gums or teeth that move need evaluation,” says Dr. Elena Solís González.
“My message is clear: caring for the gums allows us to control a source of disease and protect our teeth. Oral health is part of comprehensive care of the body,” he emphasizes.
