Some people think that the harder you scrub, the more plaque you remove," says Diane Schoen, dental hygienist, clinical assistant professor and coordinator of the Preventive Dentistry Program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. But brushing your teeth isn't like scrubbing a floor. Plaque is sticky like jelly, not sticky like glue, she says. "It adheres to teeth softly, so you don't need to scrub hard--it just needs to be mechanically broken up." Schoen recommends a soft-bristled toothbrush, held at a 45 degree angle to the gum line.
Bleeding from the mouth could be caused by anything from gum disease to a coagulation problem. My first suggestion would be that your husband see a periodontist (a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum diseases) to check on the condition of his gums. Bleeding from the gums is usually due to inflammation related to the accumulation of plaque at the gum line, a condition known as gingivitis. Plaque hardens into tartar and can lead to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease, which causes even worse bleeding. Periodontal disease constitutes a major stress on the immune system, using up resources that would be better suited for fighting more serious infections, scavenging waste products or defending the body against cancer.
Dry mouth syndrome is caused by either the normal aging process or, most commonly, by medications like antidepressants or antihistamines. Hopefully, a change in prescriptions will alleviate both the dry mouth and the burning sensations, but all too often both conditions are difficult to pindown to any one factor and can be persistent.
Ensuring that gums are well brushed along with the teeth at least twice a day and between meals where possible is one of the best preventative treatments. Other ways to stop bleeding gum problems and bleeding gums blisters is to avoid alcohol and also to avoid aspirin which will affect the ability of the blood to clot.
One of the diseases caused by plaque that can result in bleeding gums is gingivitis. Gingivitis attacks the gums as well as the periodontal ligaments and the tooth sockets. The gums will bleed, become swollen and painful. Left untreated, it can lead to the more serious form of gum disease: periodontitis. Periodontitis is a long term infection that many sufferers may have for some years before realizing it themselves and it is estimated that one-third of the population suffers from this disease. Periodontitis is also known as “gum disease” and if left to run its course, will result in the loss of teeth.
