If you are having some issues with your gums and you haven't been to the dentist in a while, its time to make an appointment. The dentist can do an assessment of your gum tissue and teeth to determine what is causing the pain or problems that you notice, and to see what the best option is for you to move forward with your oral healthcare. Talk with your dentist about the following things, and make some of these changes to improve your gum health.

Dark Gums Under the Tooth

Are there dark lines under the teeth in your mouth, outlining the tooth at the top of the gum tissue? If so, this could be a sign that the tissue is deteriorating away from the tooth, that there is an infection, or that there are other problems. You want to get this looked at right away to make sure that you aren't susceptible to oral health complications because of the tissue concerns.

Severe Sensitivity

Do your gums hurt or feel a severe sensitivity whenever they are exposed to hot or cold temperatures, or do they hurt badly when you brush or rinse? These severe sensitivities aren't normal. You may want to get a deep tissue cleaning, and then get special paste and wash prescribed to help treat the problem. Over time the special paste and rinse can help a greatly.

Bleeding from Brushing & Flossing

If your gums are bleeding when you brush and floss, this isn't normal and a sign of concern. If you don't think you are brushing too hard and you have tried using a soft bristle brush, you have to see what treatment you need to get the gum tissue stronger, and to stop the bleeding. Bleeding means your tissue is damaged and open, which means it's exposed to bacteria.

If the tissues aren't getting any better from the treatments that are recommended from your dentist, you will have to schedule an appointment with a periodontist for the concerns. This is a dental specialist who focuses mainly on the gum tissues, for those who have severe gum disease and gum complications. The best action you can take is to get to the general dentist right away to get some treatment, a cleaning, and to make sure that you don't have any type of infection that is causing other problems for your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.