Are there any options besides gum surgery for bleeding gums?
A. Bleeding gums is a sign of infection but bleeding gums alone do not tell us how extensive the damage is or what treatment is needed. Unless there is an acute abscess, we always start with cleanings, scaling and root planing and, especially, home care instructions. Sometimes that is all that is needed to treat the gum infection. Q. Can gum recession be prevented? A. Gum recession can usually be prevented by detecting a condition that could cause the recession and then stopping it before recession occurs. Examples of causes of gum recession are gum inflammation that could lead to recession and bone loss, tooth clenching and grinding that can lead to bone loss, developmental defects in the gum tissue or cheek muscles and, rarely, people who brush compulsively with a very hard tooth brush.
