Hwagok-dong Dental Implants: Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

Hwagok-dong dental implants: Is gum bleeding caused simply by fatigue? (A warning sign of gum disease)

Hello.

I am

Geun-il Kim,

Director of 365 Seoul One Top Dental Clinic.

When I meet patients in the treatment room,

many people experience bleeding when brushing their teeth but

think,

Could it be because I have been tired lately?

and simply dismiss it.

Of course, fatigue can temporarily weaken the immune system

and cause the gums to swell,

but repeated bleeding

is an “SOS signal” from your gums.

Patients undergoing implant treatment

often have poor gum health,

which in many cases eventually leads to tooth extraction.

As a dentist who has treated patients’

gums for many years,

I would like to explain the real causes of gum bleeding

and how to address them.

The most common causes of gum bleeding:

plaque and tartar

This is an example image for illustrative purposes.

The biggest reason gums bleed

is “plaque,” a mass of bacteria,

and “tartar,” which is plaque that has hardened.

Unlike plaque, tartar

cannot be removed by brushing alone,

and it creates space between the gums and teeth,

causing inflammation.

Inflamed gums

bleed easily even with very minor stimulation.

In other words, bleeding means

that inflammation in the gums has already progressed considerably.

A serious consequence of leaving it untreated—periodontitis

If you take gum bleeding lightly

and leave it untreated, thinking it is simply due to fatigue,

the inflammation extends beyond the gums

and begins to destroy the jawbone that supports the teeth.

This is “periodontitis.”

Once the jawbone is destroyed,

it does not naturally grow back.

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth.

Whenever patients who used to say this casually

eventually face a situation where

all the supporting bone has been destroyed

and their teeth must be extracted,

it is deeply painful for me as a dentist.

3 ways recommended by a dentist

to protect your gum health

The most reliable steps you can take

right now are as follows.

• Regular scaling once a year

Tartar is the greatest enemy of gum health.

However, if you receive

this simple treatment, scaling,

at the appropriate time,

you can sufficiently prevent 80% of gum disease.

The National Health Insurance Service

also provides health insurance coverage

for scaling treatment.

For health insurance subscribers aged 19 and older,

scaling is available at 30% of the out-of-pocket cost.

However, please remember

that health insurance coverage for scaling

is available only once a year.

• Make flossing and interdental brushing part of your routine

It is difficult to remove 100% of the plaque

between the teeth with a toothbrush alone.

It would be ideal to use oral hygiene products such as floss or an interdental brush after meals and every time you brush,

but if using them every time is difficult,

be sure to use floss and an interdental brush once a day, before bed.

An interdental brush

should only be used in areas

where there is enough space for it to enter gently between the teeth.

If there is no space

and you force an interdental brush of an unsuitable size into the area,

it may instead injure your gums,

so please be careful.

• Focus care on areas that are bleeding

Do not avoid brushing the area because it is bleeding.

Rather, the more inflamed the area,

the more thoroughly and gently you should brush it

with an interdental brush and toothbrush

so that the inflammation can subside.

These people should be sure to get a checkup

• People who frequently notice traces of blood

on their toothbrush bristles when brushing

• People whose gums often swell and who feel

that there is a lifted or loose feeling between the teeth and gums

• People whose bad breath has worsened

and makes them feel self-conscious around others

The gums are a sturdy barrier surrounding the teeth.

If this barrier collapses,

the teeth within it ultimately cannot hold up either.

Bleeding means that your gums are telling you right now:

I’m having a really hard time.

Please treat me!

Look in the mirror now

and check the condition of your gums.

If your gums are red and swollen,

please do not put it off any longer. Visit a nearby dental clinic

to have their exact condition evaluated.

This was dentist Geun-il Kim.

Thank you.

📍 365 Seoul One Top Dental Clinic

179 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Dongmyeong M Building, 4th Floor

Gangseo-gu dental clinic / Hwagok-dong dental implants / Hwagok Station dental clinic

1 minute on foot from Exit 8 of Hwagok Station