Mokgok Dental Clinic: Sudden Bleeding Gums? Could It Be Chronic Periodontitis?

Hello!

We at Mokgok Dental Clinic, Yonsei Wish, would like to welcome you and wish for everyone to regain their beautiful smiles.

We hope for people’s beautiful smiles, but there are also people who cannot laugh comfortably.

If you have concerns about oral health, you may relate.

In particular, suddenly bleeding gums can leave many people quite flustered and often increase anxiety about future treatment and costs.

For those people, we have prepared this post.

Today’s topic is how to treat chronic periodontitis.

Sudden bleeding gums.. early symptoms

On an ordinary day that was no different from usual,

I thought my gums seemed a little swollen, but maybe it was just fatigue, and let it go. Then, that day, I started to notice a kind of metallic taste..

and the bleeding began.

If this happens even though you have not received any external impact, it may be an early symptom of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums, and it mainly occurs when plaque, a bacterial film that accumulates on tooth surfaces, builds up.

Red swelling or bleeding when brushing or using dental floss are early signs.

At Mokgok Dental Clinic, we believe it is best to respond quickly at this early stage.

This is because if left untreated, it can lead to bigger problems.

CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS

Let us explain what this disease is at Mokgok Dental Clinic.

Chronic periodontitis is a condition in which inflammation develops in the tissues supporting the teeth and the alveolar bone, gradually destroying the tissues and bone.

It begins in the gingivitis stage, where there is only swelling and bleeding at first,

but if left untreated, the inflammation spreads to the alveolar bone, destroys it, and reduces tooth stability.

When this happens, the teeth may become loose or shift position, and pain and bad breath may also occur.

In the end, it often leads to tooth extraction.

However, the real problem is that because the progression of this disease is mild and gradual, patients often do not even realize it.

If you are experiencing even one of the following cases, we recommend that you keep this possibility in mind and visit promptly.

1️⃣ Gum recession exposes the tooth roots.

(There is a gap of about 5 mm between them.)

2️⃣ You often notice a metallic or fishy taste, and your gums bleed every time you brush.

3️⃣ People around you tell you that you have bad breath.

4️⃣ When eating or pressing on the teeth, that area feels sore or uncomfortable.

5️⃣ The teeth feel looser than usual or seem to have shifted position.

Treatment methods for gum disease

First, the first step begins with scaling.

Scaling is covered once a year by national health insurance, so you can receive treatment at a modest cost.

Scaling cleans tartar that is difficult to see with the naked eye, especially the tartar stuck between teeth.

Some people may think that if there is bleeding, it cannot be done, but in fact that is exactly when it should be done.

If the condition has spread to areas that scaling cannot reach, root planing can be used to remove tartar,

and if it continues despite that, currettage may be considered to remove infected tissue and waste materials.

This method is carried out in three sections: the left side, the right side, and the anterior region.

The reason why it is good to quickly treat the disease with the methods above is because of its strong connection to systemic diseases.

From here, Mokgok Dental Clinic will explain how these two conditions, which do not seem to be related systemically, are connected.

First, when an inflammatory reaction occurs, cytokines are produced.

These are small proteins secreted by immune cells and various other cells in the human body,

and they play a role in cell-to-cell signaling.

These cytokines are deeply involved in regulating immune responses, suppressing inflammation, and healing,

but

when chronic periodontitis is present, they may be overproduced and instead cause side effects.

This is because these cytokines and various toxins circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream and may trigger or worsen cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia.

When bacteria and byproducts proliferating in the mouth penetrate into blood vessels, research has shown that they increase the risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

They can also worsen diabetes because they interfere with blood sugar control.

That is why we say that responding quickly can be a way to prevent more serious illness.

Why are diabetes and high blood pressure especially dangerous?

People with diabetes or high blood pressure may have heard that receiving treatment can be difficult.

If blood sugar control is not smooth like this, the likelihood of reduced immunity is high,

and when bacteria and germs invade at that time, there is not enough strength to defend against them, so they easily develop into oral diseases.

Compared with people who do not have blood sugar control problems, the incidence can be about 2 to 3 times higher, so it has a major impact.

Conversely, for people who already have periodontitis, this can further worsen blood sugar control and cause the side effect of gradually increasing HbA1c levels.

Next, let us look at how high blood pressure is also related.

In patients whose oral disease has worsened, the likelihood of progressing to high blood pressure can rise by as much as twofold,

and based on blood pressure readings, it has been confirmed to increase systolic pressure by about 4.5 mmHg and diastolic pressure by about 2 mmHg.

Conversely, there are also research findings that people who already have high blood pressure are more likely to develop cavities.

The reason why diseases that cause problems in completely different areas are still related to one another is

strong evidence that the mouth plays a major role in our body.

After all, it is a place where beneficial nutrients like vitamins can be taken in, as well as harmful bacteria.

And because pathogens can spread through the bloodstream, extra care is needed in everyday life.

Precautions

When you have a condition like this, Mokgok Dental Clinic will explain how to respond, what to be careful about, and how to prevent it.

✅ How to respond!

First, identifying the cause is essential, so it is best to visit a hospital.

Before that, at home, please continue brushing your teeth regularly,

and rinsing with chlorhexidine mouthwash is also recommended.

Chlorhexidine mouthwash has strong antibacterial effects, so it has the advantage of helping prevent various oral diseases.

However, excessive long-term use may cause greenish discoloration.

This occurs because chlorhexidine binds with pigments such as tannins and caffeine present in the mouth,

and

if you stop using it temporarily, it will usually fade naturally within a few weeks to months, so please keep that in mind.

If the staining seems too severe, you may consider scaling or whitening treatment.

✅ Be careful about this!

Avoid foods that are too hard, sharp, or chewy, and it is better to build your diet around soft liquid foods.

Fish rich in protein and fruits full of vitamins can be very helpful.

Also, smoking and drinking have many harmful effects, including drying out the mouth and promoting bacterial growth.

Therefore, we recommend quitting smoking and drinking less.

✅ Let’s prevent it like this!

When brushing your teeth, it is good to remove plaque before it accumulates by using not only a toothbrush but also interdental brushes and dental floss.

Above all, if you receive regular checkups every 6 months to 1 year, get scaling, and detect and address the disease early, you will be able to create a healthier daily life.

That concludes what I prepared for today.

I hope this post is helpful to those who were startled by a sudden problem.

I hope you have a good rest of the day, and I will take my leave here.

Your smile was beautiful from the beginning.

This was Yonsei Wish, Mokgok Dental Clinic, wishing you can find that beauty again.

Thank you.