When Are Bleeding Gums a Dental Emergency?

No parent wants to see their child bleed. In fact, you probably go to extreme measures to avoid that scenario. So, seeing blood on their toothbrush or floss is alarming. 

You don’t need to panic, though. Bleeding gums are a common dental issue. While they could be a sign of a late-stage case of gum disease, if you just noticed the blood for the first time, it could be gingivitis in its early stages. That means it’s easy to treat. 

At Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry, Irene Zaki, DDS, does provide emergency dentistry care, but bleeding gums don’t necessarily warrant a rushed trip to our office. 

They do, however, mean you should schedule a pediatric dentistry appointment with us at our office in Riverside, California. This way, Dr. Zaki can evaluate your child’s gums and help you develop a plan to heal them. 

Bleeding gums: not an emergency, but a warning sign 

Quite a few things constitute a dental emergency, but gums that bleed when your child brushes or flosses aren’t one of them. 

They are, however, a telltale sign that your child has gum disease. In its early stages (gingivitis), gum disease is very treatable. Regular brushing and flossing are usually enough to reverse the problem and heal your child’s gums.

If the gum disease progresses further (periodontitis), Dr. Zaki may need to perform more targeted treatment to address it.

In short, if you notice bleeding gums, do two things: make sure your child brushes and flosses daily, and schedule an appointment with us. 

Treating gum disease in kids

Here at our office, Dr. Zaki evaluates your child’s gums. By looking at their level of irritation, she can determine if they’re dealing with gingivitis or periodontitis. 

If it’s gingivitis, she works with you and your child to develop an at-home oral care routine that works for all of you. Daily brushing and flossing are key to curing gum disease and stopping the bleeding.

If it’s periodontitis, your child might need a treatment called scaling and root planing. This lets Dr. Zaki reach any plaque that has developed below your child’s gum line.  

In either case, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to check in with your child’s gums after a while. This way, Dr. Zaki can see if the treatment is working.

Bleeding gums aren’t an emergency, but they are a sign your child needs more involved oral healthcare. To get it, call Happy Teeth Children's Dentistry or book your visit online today.