Most people have seen a little blood when they brush or floss at some point and dismissed it. If it happens occasionally and goes away, it may not be cause for concern. But gums that bleed consistently, every time you brush, every time you floss, or sometimes without any contact at all, are telling you something worth paying attention to.
Bleeding gums are one of the most common early signs of gum disease. At Coast Dental Centre in Maple Ridge, Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi is a board-certified periodontist who assesses and treats gum disease and its related conditions. Understanding when bleeding gums cross from a minor issue into something that needs specialist attention can make a real difference to what happens to your teeth over the long term.
Why Gums Bleed
Healthy gum tissue does not bleed easily. When gums bleed with regular brushing, it usually means there is inflammation in the tissue. That inflammation is the body’s response to bacteria that have accumulated at or below the gumline.
The bacteria form a soft deposit called plaque. When plaque is not removed consistently through brushing and flossing, it hardens into calculus, which cannot be removed by brushing alone. The bacteria in these deposits release compounds that irritate the gum tissue, triggering the inflammatory response that causes bleeding.
This early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible with proper cleaning and improved home care. The problem is that many people do not recognize it as a disease. They assume their gums bleed because they brush too hard, or because their gums are “just sensitive.” They change their toothbrush and keep going.
When Gingivitis Becomes Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This is a more serious condition where the infection spreads below the gumline and begins to damage the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place.
At this stage, the damage is not fully reversible. The bone that is lost does not grow back without intervention. Teeth can become loose. In advanced cases, teeth may need to be extracted.
Periodontitis does not always announce itself with dramatic symptoms. Gum recession, which makes teeth appear longer than they used to, can be gradual enough that patients do not notice it until it is significant. Pockets forming between the teeth and gums, where bacteria accumulate further from the reach of a toothbrush, deepen quietly. Bone loss shows up on dental X-rays before most patients feel anything.
This is why consistent dental check-ups matter. Catching periodontitis early, before significant bone loss has occurred, changes what treatment can accomplish.
Signs That Warrant a Periodontal Assessment
Bleeding when brushing is the most common reason patients are referred to or seek a periodontist. Other signs that suggest the gum situation is worth a specialist’s assessment include:
- Gums that are red, swollen, or tender rather than firm and pale pink
- Gums that have pulled away from the tooth surface, making teeth look longer
- Persistent bad breath that does not resolve with normal oral hygiene
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted in their position
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitivity along the gumline rather than from the tooth itself
Not all of these signs need to be present. Recurring bleeding alone, especially if it has been happening for more than a couple of weeks without improvement, is enough reason to have the gum tissue assessed.
What a Periodontist Does Differently
A general dentist can identify and treat early gum disease. When the condition is more advanced, or when there is a history of periodontal disease that needs ongoing specialist management, a periodontist has more specific training in diagnosing the extent of the problem and in the procedures used to treat it.
Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi completed a three-year Master’s in Craniofacial Sciences and Diploma in Periodontics at the University of British Columbia and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Her practice includes comprehensive periodontal assessment, non-surgical gum treatments, and surgical procedures when needed. She also provides dental implants and oral and intravenous sedation for patients who need it.
Periodontal treatment typically starts with a thorough assessment that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, reviewing X-rays for bone loss, and documenting the current state of the gum tissue. From there, a treatment plan is built based on what the assessment finds.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
For many patients, particularly those in earlier stages of gum disease, non-surgical treatment is the starting point. Scaling and root planing is the primary non-surgical approach. It involves removing plaque and calculus from below the gumline and smoothing the root surfaces, which makes it harder for bacteria to reattach and easier for the gum tissue to heal close to the tooth.
After scaling and root planing, patients typically return for a follow-up assessment to see how the tissue has responded. Some patients improve significantly with non-surgical treatment alone. Others may need additional procedures depending on how deep the pockets are and how much bone loss has occurred.
Periodontal Maintenance After Treatment
Gum disease is a chronic condition, meaning that even after successful treatment, the risk of recurrence remains. Patients who have been treated for periodontitis typically move to a periodontal maintenance schedule, with more frequent professional cleanings than the standard twice-yearly schedule, to keep bacteria levels in check and monitor the gum health over time.
Patients who stop attending maintenance appointments or return to irregular care are at higher risk of the disease progressing again.
About Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi and Periodontics at Coast Dental Centre
Coast Dental Centre offers periodontics in Maple Ridge with Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi, a board-certified specialist in periodontics and Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. The clinic provides direct billing to most dental insurance plans. Coverage for periodontal treatment varies by plan, and the team can help patients understand what their plan includes. Sedation options are also available for patients who experience dental anxiety.
Learn more about dental implants in Maple Ridge if you have been told that tooth loss from gum disease may be part of your situation.
Book a Periodontal Assessment at Coast Dental Centre
If your gums bleed consistently when you brush, or if you have not had a periodontal assessment in some time, call Coast Dental Centre in Maple Ridge at 604-463-2227 or request an appointment online.
- Call Coast Dental Centre at 604-463-2227 to book a periodontal assessment with Dr. Chaturvedi in Maple Ridge
- Request an appointment online at Coast Dental Centre to have your gum health evaluated by a board-certified periodontist
- Ask the team at Coast Dental Centre about direct billing and sedation options for periodontal treatment in Maple Ridge
