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Looking for a caring and professional dental practice? We’re excited to welcome new patients to our clinic! Whether you’re due for a check-up, need treatment, or are looking to enhance your smile, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us today to book your first appointment—we look forward to meeting you!

Bleeding gums

There are many reasons why you may experience bleeding gums from something simple, like using the wrong technique when you brush or floss, or it could be a sign of a more serious issue such as a health condition you need to check out.

Common Causes

  • You may have bleeding gums if you:
  • Have gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis or periodontitis)
  • Brush too hard or your toothbrush is too hard
  • Just started a flossing routine and your gums aren't used to it yet
  • Take certain medications, like blood thinners
  • Have inflamed gums because you're pregnant (pregnancy gingivitis)
  • Have dentures that don't fit well
  • Faulty dental restorations
  • Underlying medical condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, discuss this with your Oakmead Dental Care dentist or hygienist at your next review. If you are suffering inflammation or discomfort, don’t wait for your next review, give us a call on 01342 325363 as soon as possible to get it checked out.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth - a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are harmful for the health of your gums.

If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing them regularly, it builds up, particularly under the gum line and hardens into tartar, which becomes more difficult to remove. Tartar can irritate your gums and lead to redness with bleeding, swelling and soreness.

Gingivitis can be prevented and often managed with a good oral hygiene regime. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash, and see your dentist regularly.

During your routine reviews and dental hygiene visits at Oakmead Dental Care we will address any early signs of gum disease, giving your teeth a thorough clean and remove any hardened plaque (tartar). We will also show you how to clean your teeth effectively to help prevent plaque building up in the future.

If you have an increased risk of developing gum problems (for example, you smoke or have diabetes), you may be advised to visit Oakmead Dental Care more often so your teeth and gums can be closely monitored.

Periodontitis

If you don't take care of your gingivitis in its early stages, it can lead to a more progressive form of gum disease known as periodontal disease or periodontitis.

At this stage the original plaque build up has developed into a harder, more damaging substance known as tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove, hides under the gum line and contains more harmful bacteria. If tartar is not effectively removed, bacteria will develop further and start to damage the soft tissue around the gums, creating pockets between the gumline and the teeth. Once these pockets are formed, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the disease as they create hard to reach areas for bacteria to continue to develop.

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that, without treatment, can eventually destroy the bone that supports your teeth, leading to loose teeth or even tooth loss.

There are wider health risks associated with periodontitis too. The bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter your bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting other parts of your body. For example, periodontitis is linked with respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes.

Signs of Periodontitis include:

  • Gums bleed easily
  • Red, swollen, tender gums
  • Gums pull away from the base of your teeth
  • Bad breath and/or bad taste in your mouth

If you have Periodontitis you will need to regularly see the Oakmead Dental Care dental and hygiene team to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums and manage the condition. In some cases, surgery may need to be carried out, usually performed by a dental specialist in gum problems (periodontist).

When to see your dentist or hygienist

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you should discuss this with your Oakmead Dental Care dentist or hygienist at your next review. If, however you are suffering from painful, swollen gums, don’t wait for your next review. Give us a call on 01342 325363 as soon as possible to get it checked out.

Our dentist and/or hygienist will carry out a thorough dental examination to check the health of your gums. In some cases, a number of X-rays may be needed to check the condition of your teeth and jaw bone.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Oakmead Dental Care. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

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Patient reviews

1143 Reviews

5.0

19th August 2025

Excellent personal care.

18th August 2025

Friendly and helpful advice for future care of my teeth

17th August 2025

I've had bad dental treatment in the past, and am as a result a rather anxious patient. Family members recommended Oakmead to me, and I am very glad I have been treated there. The whole surgery is hugely relaxing, from the reception staff to the dental nurse and dentist. All are friendly and reassuring, which has made what I expected to be a very stressful process actually calm and pleasant. The dentist very clearly and calmly explained how they could help me. The treatment is going very well, and I am sure my new dentures will be great. I was reassured from the first visit, when I went away with a treatment plan with costs clearly set out. The cost, although not trivial, is actually a little less than I was expecting.

16th August 2025

From the welcome by the reception team, Jill the hygienist and Andy the dentist the whole experience was fantastic. What a team. They are friendly welcoming and caring. I can’t fault the service at all.

16th August 2025

Everything

16th August 2025

Everyone at the surgery is always very friendly and helpful

16th August 2025

Paul took the time to consider how to reinsert my implant after it fell out (fitted somewhere else). He came up with a plan, and I left my tooth with him so that he could work on it in advance of my appointment. His plan worked with no complications and I am very happy with the result. In fact it feels more comfortable than it did before!

14th August 2025

Quality service. Fully explained condition and planned procedure to rectify problem. Care taken during procedure and explained as it went along. Very caring gentle

14th August 2025

Everyone was kind, thoughtful and Effcient

14th August 2025

I saw Paul Cassidy for an extraction. My previous dentist had insisted I should have sedation and had told me he might leave in part of the root of the tooth. This made me anxious. Paul put me at ease from the start, explained everything in detail and was really gentle. I am so glad I was referred to him by Gabriella.

13th August 2025

Professional practice

13th August 2025

Staff all professional yet friendly

12th August 2025

I feel confident with the treatment and staff.They explain precedures/treatment well.

11th August 2025

Very impressed by the whole dental team. From booking the appointment to the treatment from Jill, the whole process was seamless. You can tell by the friendliness and attitude of the whole team that it must be a great place to work. I have always been nervous about a trip to the dentist but found myself weirdly relaxed at Oakmead!

9th August 2025

The treatment received felt personal and professional. The dentist was efficient and gentle, and listened to my concerns and then addressed them satisfactorily. He adjusted my partial denture and made sure it was comfortable.

7th August 2025

Debbie was excellent and gave me everything I needed to improve my dental health and did so with such a friendly manner.

5th August 2025

The Hygenist was, as always, careful to explain everything. She always listens to my concerns and adjusts things to suit me. Altogether an excellent experience.

31st July 2025

Great treatment from excellent and friendly staff.

31st July 2025

Very friendly and the treatment is carried out with great care and gentleness

31st July 2025

Mr Hopkins listened carefully to my concerns, explained clearly the causes and outlined the possible choices. He answered my questions to help me make an informed decision, and made suggestions as to how I can improve things myself.

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