Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal — Here's What They Mean
Blood in the sink when you brush is the earliest warning sign of gum disease, and it is almost entirely reversible at this stage.
Why gums bleed
Plaque left along the gum line hardens into calculus, which irritates the gum tissue. The body responds with inflammation, and inflamed tissue bleeds when touched. That is gingivitis.
Many people respond by brushing that area less, which makes the problem worse. The correct response is to clean the area more carefully, and to have the hardened deposits professionally removed.
What happens if you ignore it
Untreated gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, where the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed. Bone loss does not reverse. Teeth loosen, gaps open up, and eventually teeth are lost.
Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in India, and it is largely painless until it is advanced.
The good news
Caught at the gingivitis stage, treatment is straightforward: a professional scaling, a corrected brushing and interdental cleaning technique, and the bleeding stops within a week or two.
Book a gum assessment if your gums bleed, look red or swollen, or if you have noticed recession.
Have a question about your own teeth?
General advice is no substitute for an examination. Book a consultation at any of our two Gurugram clinics and get an answer specific to you.
