Oral Health. Why is it essential to take care of your gums?

You've decided to floss and are diligently flossing between each tooth. However, your gums are bleeding in several places. This isn't caused by flossing, but by gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque along the gum line.

This environment is home to billions of bacteria that release toxins and enzymes, responsible for tissue irritation and inflammation. Nearly 50% of adults have gingivitis, often without knowing it. Flossing, which removes plaque and food debris, only reveals it.

The right attitude is to continue using dental floss despite this initial bleeding, because it dislodges bacteria deep down (interdental spaces represent 40% of the total surface area of ​​the teeth, an area inaccessible to the brush).

Dr. Sacha-Gabriel Ayache recommends consulting a dentist if bleeding persists after 15 days of flossing, as this may be a sign of periodontitis (a deeper inflammation affecting the supporting tissues of the tooth). People who floss regularly reduce their risk of periodontitis by 40 to 50 percent.

Bleeding while brushing your teeth is never normal. It's the first sign of gingivitis, which, if left untreated, can progress to periodontitis. Nearly 20% of French people suffer from periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

If your gums bleed even when you brush your teeth, you should see a dentist twice a year. Scaling is usually sufficient when gingivitis is still superficial, while root planing (cleaning the tooth surfaces below the gum) is necessary if periodontitis has already set in. If left untreated, periodontitis causes teeth to loosen and destroys the surrounding bone.

But bleeding can also be a sign of brushing too vigorously. You shouldn't use a hard-bristled toothbrush, but instead opt for a soft brush and brush gently. Brushing harder doesn't remove plaque better!

The gums provide a barrier against bacteria and food debris, protecting the tooth roots and alveolar bone. When this natural seal around the tooth loses its watertightness, a periodontal pocket forms. This is completely painless.

Even perfectly healthy teeth harbor plaque, a thin film of bacteria that lodges along the gum line. If left unremoved, this plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Tartar irritates the gums and can lead to gingivitis or periodontitis.

Only professional cleaning can remove tartar, hence the importance of consulting a dentist regularly .

Descaling is no fun, but it is essential.

Tartar is a mineral deposit that forms from uneliminated dental plaque (food debris, bacteria, saliva proteins, dead cells). If not removed regularly, plaque hardens by incorporating minerals present in saliva, particularly calcium and phosphate. This tartar irritates the gums and is a major risk factor for periodontal disease.

The idea that scaling loosens teeth is based on a misconception. When tartar builds up, it pushes the gums back and masks their fragility. Once removed, teeth may appear "longer" or more exposed, giving the impression of loosening. In reality, it's not the scaling that weakens teeth, but rather the buildup of tartar that has already damaged the gums and the bone that supports them.

Far from loosening teeth, scaling helps preserve them: by removing tartar, it eliminates the main cause of gum inflammation. Combined with good oral hygiene, it significantly reduces the risk of periodontitis, the real culprit behind tooth loss.

Annual scaling is generally sufficient for low-risk individuals, which is most people. In cases of gingivitis or periodontitis, it is recommended every 3 to 6 months. For smokers or people who are very stressed, two scalings per year are often necessary, as smoking and stress reduce saliva and promote tartar buildup.