HomeAnswersDentistrybleeding gums I have sore and bleeding gums on the upper right side. How can I manage it?

Can I aggressively brush to remove plaque and calculus?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Meera Premanand

Published At February 3, 2022
Reviewed AtFebruary 4, 2022

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have sore bleeding gums on the upper right side of my mouth. It started mild about a month ago, but it has gotten worse over the past few days. Is this gingivitis? I have a problem with food getting stuck in between my teeth in the same area for a while. What can I do? Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the pictures (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). You have severe gingivitis and probably periodontitis at this stage. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums basically either due to food lodgement or calculus deposits present within the teeth. That progresses to periodontitis, wherein the long run, the tooth-bound deposits start resorbing or receding the gums making your tooth mobile. Tooth mobility can occur due to bone loss and receding gums in a few years or sometimes even months if it is aggressive. I suggest deep oral prophylaxis or deep dental scaling at the dentist's office. After prophylaxis, you will be asked to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash, or I would you to start using a Betadine (Povidone-iodine) gargle 2% every day for relieving this issue of bleeding gums. You need to brush twice a day and whenever you have time, do warm salt water rinsing 5 to 6 times a day. That will also prevent gingival inflammation. So do not delay a visit to the dental surgeon, and this prophylaxis is a must even for people with healthy gums every six months to 1 year. I suggest antibiotic tablet Amoxicillin 500 mg to 625 mg and tablet Metronidazole 400 mg to relieve and suppress this chronic gingival inflammation.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Treatment plan

Deep dental cleaning, strict oral hygiene, brush twice a day, betadine 2% gargle or chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthwash every night, suitable gel and antibiotic prophylaxis by dentist, and post scaling procedure.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I cannot visit the dentist for another week. In the meantime, should I brush the area “aggressively” to remove any plaque that I can? Or will it irritate it more? Please advise.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Never do the brushing aggressively. That will wear out the enamel of the tooth because it will be already weak by the receding gum support. Use a soft or extra-soft toothbrush, and twice a day, especially at bedtime, you need to brush and then mouthwash either with Chlorhexidine or Betadine gargle. Only that will prevent gingival bleeding. If you are not on any vitamin or antioxidant supplements, I would also suggest you a diet rich in vitamin c and alpha-lipoic acid supplements or omega 3 to 6 fatty acid supplements atleast thrice a week, once after breakfast. They will be available as over-the-counter drugs, and it is essential for gingival health. Just go for deep scaling. It hardly takes 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid aggressive brushing, and you can search up the " modified bass technique" videos of brushing for the correct method to avoid dental plaque and calculus accumulation.

Thank you.

Preventive measures

The modified bass technique of tooth brushing.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop
Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Dentistry

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