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| My gums have been bleeding a lot lately. I brush regularly and floss twice a week. Why is this? |
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If you don't floss daily, you're not getting enough of a good thing, says Richard Lichtenthal, D.D.S., chairman of the department of restorative dentistry at the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery. After you eat, plaque forms rapidly around your teeth. It only takes a few hours for it to begin to harden, and once it does, it becomes harder to take off. When plaque builds up and develops into tartar, this can cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed when you brush your teeth. "You should floss at least once a day to get rid of debris and soft plaque," says Dr. Lichtenthal. He also recommends brushing your teeth after each meal. Since bleeding gums can mark the beginning of periodontal disease, you'll definitely want to adopt these good hygiene habits now.
- Lynda Liu
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