Why does gingivitis bleed at night?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Patients with gingivitis often experience gum bleeding. However, this bleeding mainly occurs during morning tooth brushing, but it can also occur at night, though the timing is unpredictable. Patients with gingivitis should be cautious about their diet and avoid hard or overly spicy foods. Since gingivitis is a chronic inflammation, it can cause trauma during tooth brushing or chewing, leading to bleeding of the gum tissues. Therefore, it is advised that patients brush gently if they have gingivitis, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and maintaining a mild diet. Additionally, patients should focus on oral hygiene and develop proper oral health habits, including brushing their teeth both morning and night.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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What will happen if gingivitis is not treated?

When a patient has gingivitis, if they cannot receive timely treatment, they may experience long-term inflammation that irritates the gum tissue, leading to nutrient loss in the gums and eventual gum recession. Further progression can lead to loose teeth, and ultimately, tooth loss. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with gingivitis to seek prompt treatment. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene, as long-term poor oral hygiene is a major cause of gingivitis. It is important to promptly remove food residues after meals to prevent bacterial infections. Furthermore, developing correct brushing habits in the morning and evening is recommended, and patients should consider regular dental cleanings, which can effectively remove tartar and plaque, reducing irritation to the gums.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to treat gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis and periodontitis are both phenomena of periodontal diseases. Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontitis, with the earliest phase typically being common gingivitis. If gingivitis is not well controlled, it can further develop into periodontitis. However, once periodontitis occurs, there is definitely inflammation of the gums. In the development of both gingivitis and periodontitis, dental plaque and tartar generally play a major role. When gingivitis occurs, the lesions are generally limited to the gum tissue, and at this time, the course of the disease is relatively milder. If gingivitis is not cured and develops into periodontitis, it will not only damage the gums but also the alveolar bone, and other periodontal tissues will also be destroyed. Therefore, it is advised that patients with gingivitis should take timely treatment measures.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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The difference between periodontitis and gingivitis

Periodontitis and gingivitis have essential differences. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis involve the formation of periodontal pockets, but the pockets in gingivitis are pseudo pockets, caused by inflammation of the gums which leads to the local proliferation or swelling of the gums, enveloping part of the tooth crown. In contrast, the periodontal pockets in periodontitis are true pockets, caused by the resorption of the alveolar bone, a condition that accompanies the loss of alveolar bone. Therefore, the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis lies in whether there is bone loss or not.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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What is the difference between periodontitis and gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a condition that is limited to the gum tissues, whereas periodontitis not only affects the gum tissues but also damages the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Gingivitis merely involves inflammation of the gum tissues, displaying redness and swelling, as well as changes in the shape, color, and texture of the gums, including bleeding, hypertrophy, and a soft texture. Periodontitis involves not only inflammation of the gums but also leads to attachment loss, formation of periodontal pockets, resorption of the alveolar bone, and loosening or loss of teeth. Gingivitis does not involve bone resorption. In periodontitis, X-rays can show a reduced height of the alveolar ridge, presenting as either horizontal or vertical resorption. For the treatment of gingivitis, supragingival cleaning can completely cure it, allowing gum tissues to return to normal. The treatment of periodontitis, in addition to supragingival cleaning, requires subgingival scaling, root planing, and, when necessary, periodontal surgery to control inflammation, as the resorption of alveolar bone is irreversible.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Should gingivitis be treated with hot compresses or cold compresses?

When patients experience gingivitis, this condition is generally related to inflammation within the body, a prolonged habit of poor diet leading to decreased immune function, resulting in inflammation of the gums. When gingivitis occurs, since it involves inflammation, it is generally recommended to apply cold compresses to relieve the pain somewhat; one should definitely not apply hot compresses as they might increase the local inflammation. It is advised that patients undergo appropriate medical treatment. They can take some anti-inflammatory drugs orally, such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, or a combination with antibiotic anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is severe, one can also use antipyretic analgesics to alleviate local tooth pain. Most importantly, patients should develop good dietary and lifestyle habits.