05
Aug
Why Gums bleed when flossing?
Dr. Shah: Hi and welcome to the ask the doctor section of our website. So, you had some questions. So please feel free to ask me the question.
Ed (Patient): Oh yes. Doctor. Shah when I floss my gums bleed. What should I do?
Dr. Shah: That’s a very common question and lots of people have asked me this question, so thank you for asking that question so that lots of people will come to know the answer of that. The reason your gums bleed is that the gums are inflamed. If you are flossing, why are they inflamed? It’s because you are not flossing properly, you are not reaching all the way deep area, and that is the reason your gums are inflamed, and if they are inflamed, they are swollen and if they’re swollen when floss touches there, they bleed very easily. Even they bleed with the brushing and the worst scenario is when you brush and floss you can see the blood if you’re spitting into a white sink. But what about eating your food? When you eat the food, if your gums bleed, do you know that you do not know that, because you’re swallowing, you’re not standing in front of a mirror. You are not spitting out. So, the best thing is, even if it bleeds, I want you to keep flossing your teeth and keep flossing deeper. If you have tartar deposited there, you have gum disease. You need to go back to the dentist. This is for the people who are coming to the dentist regularly so you don’t have that question, but other people who are listening to this conversation or question. If you continue with the bleeding, that means you have gum disease. That means you have a deep pocket. That means you have tartar deposited. You need to go to the dentist to help them diagnose and do the proper treatment. Thank you so much.
Dr. Uday Shah brings 35 years of expertise in Clinical Dentistry. Graduating from India’s Government Dental College and earning a Master’s in Periodontics, he furthered his education at NYU School of Dentistry. Dr. Shah is licensed in Arizona and California, where he has built a successful multi-specialty practice. He holds Fellowships from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (2010) and the International Congress of Oral Implantology (2012). A member of the ADA and CDA, he also contributes to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Founder of Sunny Family Dental, he is dedicated to integrating cutting-edge technology and maintaining high standards in patient care.
Success Stories
Hi, my name is John Arslane. I’m a new patient for Dr. Shah but I’d like to give you my first impressions. First of all, the technology is unbelievable here. It all started off with registering online, the photography, there’s X-rays, everything is paperless, and I was very, very impressed with the technology and the state of art. More impressive, however, is Dr. Shah himself. He takes the time to talk to you as a person in laymen terms, explains everything, and trains you. I’ve been brushing my teeth for 72 years and I just realized today that I’ve never done it the right way; I learned today from Dr. Shah. So, my first impressions are awesome.
My name is Marlow and this is my very first visit to Dr. Shah’s office. I came in for a tooth whitening and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the staff and all of the new technology. And I found this whole experience to be absolutely amazing and wonderful. I couldn’t believe the nice leather seats and the TV while I was having my cleaning done and I’m actually looking forward to coming back to the dentist.