At Woollahra Dental Practice , we are celebrating with the ADA the Dental Health Week 2016. This year the focus is on Women and Oral Health. The following information can be found on the ADA website and it is about Gum Disease treatment and prevention. Bleeding is usually a sign that something untoward has happened to your body, yet many people think that it’s perfectly normal for their gums to bleed when they brush or floss. But, of course, it's not; bleeding gums are a sign that your gums are inflamed due to disease-causing bacteria. Ignoring bleeding which results from brushing and flossing means you stand a real risk of developing a serious form of gum disease. The causes of gum disease In addition to plaque, which is largely responsible for the development of gum disease, the health of your gums can also be affected by: • Smoking and tobacco use • Genetic predisposition • Systemic diseases like diabetes and arthritis • Stress and poor nutrition • Hormonal fluctuati