When you first graduate and step into your role as a dental hygienist, you may be surprised by how often you encounter people experiencing bleeding gums. According to Dr. Farshid Sanavi, as much as 90 per cent of the population experiences bleeding gums occasionally. In dental hygienist training, youa��ll learn the proper advice to give to patients in order to keep them from visiting the dentist chair too frequently. Here are 3 leading causes of bleeding gums that you should know about as a dental hygienist student.
1. Gingivitis & Bleeding Gums: What Youa��ll Learn in Dental Hygienist School
Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease caused by bacterial buildup that affects about 50 per cent of the Canadian adult population. Ita��s an inflammation of the gumsa��the bodya��s response to a build-up of plaque. Trained dental hygienists know that an early indicator of gingivitis is the when the gums appear to be a�?shiny.a�� And if this occurs, bleeding gums are not far behind.
Your dental hygienist training will teach you to advise future clients to brush, floss, and rinse their mouths regularly to eliminate unwanted bacteria from their mouths and keep their gums looking and feeling healthy.
2. Dental Hygienists Know Flossing Could be the Source of Bleeding Gums
Either forgetting to floss for a few days or increasing the frequency of flossing can lead to bleeding gums. Gums are made of spongy tissues that become accustomed to a regular flossing routine in the same way shoes take the form of feet after prolonged use. Similar to new shoes, gums need time to begin to a�?molda�� to where and how often a person flosses. If a patient has taken on a new flossing routine, let them know that their gums will usually adjust within the week and the bleeding will stop. If the bleeding doesna��t cease in a week, it may be indicative of a larger problem that needs addressing.
At dental hygienist school, you will learn how to assess teeth and gums through inspection and x-rays in order to determine if flossing is the source of bleeding gums, or if the bleeding is indicative of a larger problem like gum disease.
3. Dental Hygienist Courses Teach that Poor Oral Hygiene Can Lead to Bleeding Gums
From youth, we are taught that regular brushing and flossing prevents tooth decay, but sometimes this isna��t enough. Poor oral hygiene, too much sugar, and acidic drinks can also lead to tooth decay when such sugars are converted into bacteria and the excessive acids eventually soften the tooth enamel. Dental hygiene courses teach students that brushing directly after a meal is important to ensure this doesna��t happen. Furthermore, students in dental hygiene schools know that the specific method of brushing is important as well. One should advise patients to brush upwardsa��from the gums up to the top of the teetha��in order to a�?pusha�� bacteria and debris off the tooth, rather than brushing it into the gums. Dental hygienist courses will teach you these methods so you can properly communicate them to patients and keep their gums looking and feeling healthy.
Want to learn how you can help patients improve their dental health?
Contact CADH to learn more about earning your dental hygiene accredited diploma!
