Why do my gums bleed around my veneers?

Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush or floss. Blood around a veneer usually means early gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can progress if ignored. The ceramic itself is not the cause; it is smooth and plaque sticks to it less easily. The problem is usually where the veneer meets the gum: if the edge is overhanging, has a gap, or excess cement was left under the gum, plaque collects there and is hard to clean.

Other causes include veneers that are too thick or wide and push on the gum, margins placed deep under the gum that irritate it constantly, and patients stopping flossing because they think veneers need no care. General factors such as smoking, pregnancy and some medical conditions and medicines also increase bleeding. Bleeding often comes with redness, swelling and bad breath, and sometimes a dark line appears at the edge if the gum recedes.

In Duhok, Dr. Khalid Saeed checks the margin of each veneer and the gum pocket depths, and may take X-rays. If the margins are acceptable, treatment starts with careful cleaning around them, removal of any excess cement and better flossing technique; the Waterlase laser may help treat inflamed tissue. If margins are overhanging or open, cleaning will not solve it because plaque will return, and the lasting fix is replacing the veneers once the gums have settled.

When designing new veneers, Dr. Khalid pays attention to how the margin meets the tooth and to a contour that lets floss pass easily; they are made at Creative Art Dental Lab in Dubai. Do not stop brushing and flossing because of bleeding: clean gently and see your dentist. If you live outside Duhok, send close-up gum photos to Dr. Khalid.

• Plaque at the veneer edge from poor flossing
• Overhanging or open margins trapping food
• Leftover cement under the gum
• Bulky or deep margins pressing on the gum
• Smoking, pregnancy and some medicines increase bleeding
• Do not stop flossing because of bleeding