Do you have a lot in common with “Bleeding Gums” Murphy? Maybe its time to fight the evil gingivitis with the help of your dentist? Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the teeth due to improper cleaning of teeth. Although systemic factors and general health can modify the tissue reaction to local irritants, Gingivitis in all age groups is caused primarily by local irritants. It is nearly always reversible. The usual signs of gingivitis are gums which are swollen and bleed on brushing.

Children by and large are not entirely efficient in cleaning their teeth. Oral hygiene has to be stimulated, supervised, and the end result examined for it to be efficient. Particularly sticky foods (such as chocolates and crispy foods ) in the less accessible areas are difficult to remove. Rough and vigorous scrubbing may hurt the child and discourage him form brushing well.( If disclosing rinses / tablets which stain the debris are used, the child may be motivated to brush till the unsightly stain is removed.)

There is no question that the regime of oral hygiene improves gingival health. But in the children, it is advisable for brushing to be supervised by the parent if it has to be effective. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, see your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage and preventing more serious problems.

Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a much more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and may even increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. What's more, women with periodontitis are far more likely to give birth to premature babies than women with healthy gums are.

Your dentist may treat gingivitis in several ways, but the first step is to thoroughly clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque and tartar — a procedure known as scaling. The cleaning may be uncomfortable, especially if your gums are already sensitive or you have extensive plaque and tartar buildup.

Gingivitis usually clears up after a professional cleaning as long as you continue to follow a program of good oral hygiene at home. At first your gums may bleed after brushing, but this usually lasts just a few days. If you persist, you should see pink, healthy gum tissue in a short time. You'll need to practice good oral hygiene for life, however, so your gum problems don't return. Because misaligned teeth and poorly fitting crowns and bridges make it harder to remove plaque, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems as well.