Gingival Index
Bleeding Index
Patient-related case questions
100
What class is this?
Class 0, Normal gingiva
100
What class is this?
Class 4 bleeding index
100
Your patient presents with spontaneous bleeding and a heavy smoking habit. They complain about the appearance of their gums: "I've been brushing and flossing as you told me, but my gums are still puffy and look even redder." What class is there for the gingival index, and what is delaying the healing?
This is class 3 gingival index. A reason for the delay in your healing could be due to smoking. It can inflame the gums, making them look "even redder" and slow the healing process. I understand smoking is hard to stop, so maybe try lessening the amount you smoke or try nicotine patches to help aid in your gums' healing faster.
200
Patient tissue is VERY red, edematous, and has spontaneous bleeding. What class is this?
Class 3, Severe inflammation
200
The interdental triangle is filled with blood as soon as probing occurs. What class is this?
Class 3 bleeding index
200
You are probing your patient's teeth and encounter some bleeding in the following areas: the IDP between 11 and 12, as well as teeth 18 and 24, but only in these spots. What type of bleeding index does your patient have, and what advice would you give them?
Class 2 bleeding index. Advise your patient to floss daily and brush 2-3 times a day. Go over the proper brushing and flossing technique with your patient and demonstrate the ideal brushing + flossing. showing them how they can improve their at homecare.
300
Patient's tissue does not bleed on probing, although it is slightly red and edematous. What is their class?
Class 1, Mild inflammation
300
What class is this?
Class 2 bleeding index
300
After asking the patient about their oral hygiene home care, you learn that the patient does not floss because it always causes their gums to bleed. What should we recommend/explain to the patient?
Advise the patient to continue flossing to help remove bacteria that may be inflaming the gums and possibly causing bleeding. Go over flossing with the patient and demonstrate the proper technique. If mobility or dexterity is an issue, suggest other flossing tools (Waterpik, dental picks, etc.).
400
Patients' gums bleed when they floss and during probing. What class is this?
Class 2, Moderate inflammation
400
The patient shows no bleeding in the mouth after probing, only a little bleeding on the IDP between the central incisors. What class is this?
Class 1 bleeding index
400
Your patient has severe inflammation and mentions they have a lack of oral hygiene structure in their life. They come in complaining, "Some of my gums are giant in certain spots and then disappear in the next spot, so I stopped brushing, thinking it would help calm them down." (You suspect the severe inflammation has turned into gingivitis.) How would you advise/ help your patient with their homecare to better their gingival health?
Advise the patient on the importance of oral hygiene and their homecare process. Have the patient go through what they do, or have them demonstrate how they brush, and provide information on how they could better their habits (brushing, flossing, mouthwash, etc.)