Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Do your gums ever bleed while you’re brushing or flossing? Most adults will experience bleeding gums at some point in their lives, but it’s a symptom that you shouldn’t ignore. Here’s what you need to know about bleeding gums causes, treatment options, prevention tips, and when you should see your dentist.
Bleeding gums are usually a sign that you’re not properly caring for your gums. Here are the most common reasons why your gums are bleeding:
Bleeding gums are a common sign of gingivitis, which is inflammation of your gum tissue. Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease, and it occurs when plaque accumulates along your gum line. If you have gingivitis, your gums may appear swollen, red, or irritated, and they may bleed while brushing or flossing.
If you don’t follow a daily routine of brushing and flossing, you’re more likely to experience bleeding gums. Not brushing and flossing every day leads to plaque development, which is an invisible sticky film that forms on your teeth. Aim to floss every day and brush your teeth twice a day to prevent the development of plaque.
Your gums might start to bleed if you’ve recently started flossing every day. With regular flossing, the bleeding should stop after one week.
If you take blood-thinning medications, you’re at a higher risk of bleeding gums. This type of medication works by decreasing the blood’s ability to clot, and this leads to easier bleeding, even at the gum line. Let your dentist know about the medications you’re taking.
If you brush your teeth too vigorously, you might experience bleeding gums. However, you shouldn’t give up on brushing every day since it’s critical for your oral health. Instead, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and try using a gentler touch while you’re brushing your teeth. The bleeding should subside after one week.
It’s common for pregnant women to experience bleeding gums while brushing or flossing. The increase in hormone levels during pregnancy causes blood flow to increase to the gums. This makes your gum tissue extra sensitive to plaque and bacteria, leading to inflammation and tender gums that bleed while you’re brushing or flossing. Pregnancy gingivitis typically stops shortly after pregnancy.
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There are many ways you can treat bleeding gums. Following a regular brushing and flossing routine is the most effective way to prevent plaque from forming around the gum line. If plaque isn’t removed daily, it can harden into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar easily collects bacteria and irritates your gums further, leading to early-stage gum disease. Tartar can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning.
Coming into our office for a professional cleaning every six months can help remove tartar and plaque before they can release bacterial toxins that inflame your gum tissue, leading to bleeding gums.
If your bleeding gums are caused by gum disease, our dentists will perform a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. This deep cleaning also smoothes out all of the rough surfaces on the roots of your teeth, which allows your gum tissue to reattach to your teeth.
Practicing good oral hygiene is the most effective way to prevent bleeding gums. Follow these tips to prevent your gums from bleeding:
If your gums are bleeding regularly when you brush or floss, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. Your dentist will examine the health of your teeth and gums and help you identify the underlying problem. We’ll work together to develop a treatment plan that stops bleeding gums and restores your oral health.
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