How to bleed less during a dental cleaning?

Question

During my last cleaning my gums were bleeding a lot. Is it true that the more tartar you have stuck on your teeth the harder the dentist needs to scrape and that's what causes more bleeding? I know that evryone bleeds a little but what can I do to make my next cleaning less bloody and more comfortable?

Answer 1

The tartar is the enemy in two ways. First, as you said, it requires more scraping to get rid of it. More than that, though, the bacteria that live in the tartar cause a lot of inflammation and weakening of your gums. The lining of the gums against your teeth is actually thinned out significantly. Sometimes, people have so much inflammation and thinning/weakened gum tissue that all you have to do is blow air from the air syringe and it will make them bleed.

The way to bleed less during your cleanings is to be healthier in the first place. You are probably beyond the point where floss will be all that beneficial. Ask your dentist to show you the best way to keep YOUR teeth clean. When you keep your teeth clean on a daily basis, you will have much less tartar and much less inflammation. With these improvements, you will have much less bleeding during cleanings.

Answer 2

I know this question! Just yesterday I was at the dentist getting my teeth scraped and scraped. I had tons of tarter build up. It had been about 2 years since my last cleaning and I never floss.

Guess what? Floss is the answer. I also only chew on one side of my mouth- they told me I need to brush really good on the side I don't chew on. There was much more tarter there.

My cleaning was about 40 minutes long. She said as long as I come in 6 months later and I floss, my next cleaning will be very easy. Can't wait for May 2nd :)

Answer 3

Home care is the single most important method to obtaining a healthy mouth. Once the hygienist cleans your teeth it is up to you to keep your mouth healthy until your next 6 months check-up. First, be sure to brush 2-3 times a day. Try holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and use gentle, vibrating strokes concentrating on 2-3 teeth at a time. Also, be sure that you floss on a daily basis to disrupt the plaque that accumulates in the sulcus (the pocket that surrounds the tooth). Try rinsing with an alcohol free mouthwash such as Crest ProHealth. It helps fight plaque that forms above the gums and gingivitis without the burn of alcohol.

Answer 4

I will be 70 years old next month, have all my own teeth and see the dentist every six months. It takes him about five minutes to clean my teeth and with no bleeding. The secret is to floss properly at least once daily, being certain that the floss gets under the gum as you floss.

Answer 5

i think u need more than flossing because all ur gums are inflamed not only ur interdental pappilae or that part of the gingiva between ur teeth.also infection could be subgingival and no floss could reach dat part..so several appointment of scraping and a lot of rinsing will decrease source of infection and stop the bleeding

Answer 6

Hey, if yer a girl...the above answers are good ones, BUT...don't get your teeth cleaned right around your period. It makes your gums way more sensitive. My dentist told me that and now I try to make my appointments around the RIGHT time of the month.

Just an added suggestion to help not make you THAT much more uncomfortable. Peace out....

Answer 7

TO BLEED LESS PRIOR TO A CLEANING, FLOSS EVERY DAY PRIOR TO THE CLEANING. THE MORE YOU FLOSS ON A DAILY BASIS THE LESS YOU'LL BLEED. 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE NEVER FLOSS, AND 3/4 HAVE GUM DISEASE.

Answer 8

Keep your mouth clean.Gums bleed when they are sick.They get sick because of too much bacteria around them.Brush,floss and use mouthwash after each meal.I know it sounds a bit too much.The whole thing will take about 7 minutes,not even.You have to do what you have to do.

Answer 9

Flossing.

Answer 10

You must FLOSS my friend. I have the same problem. The more you floss, the healthier your gums will be! TRUST ME!