Bleeding gums are not normal, even when you have your teeth professionally cleaned. If your gums start bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth then you have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Gum disease is a contagious bacterial infection which destroys your gums and erodes your jawbone which can lead to tooth loss.
8 Reasons Why Your Gums Bleed
- Medication
Certain medication that you take can interfere with the blood flow to tissues or hamper saliva flow which leads to dryness in your mouth. This causes your gum tissues to become more reactive to the presence of plaque which rapidly increases periodontal disease. You can ask your dentist how your meds affect your gums
- New Flossing Routines
Changing how you floss regularly can also lead to bleeding gums. If your flossing has become infrequent, causing you to floss more to clear that extra plaque which can also cause your gums to bleed.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Plaque that is stuck on your teeth and gum-line can infect your gums leading to symptoms of gingivitis if not removed by brushing and flossing. Gingivitis causes your gums to become swollen, tender and also start to bleed while brushing. The early stage of the disease can be stopped with good brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups.
Some pregnant women experience swollen gums and bleeding while brushing which is known as Pregnancy Gingivitis. Hormonal changes in the body tend to change the body’s response to the bacteria that causes gum disease.
- Your Oral Hygiene’s Subpar
This occurs to those who don’t brush and floss on a daily basis resulting in visible plaque and swollen red gums. Research states that healthy gums can become diseased within 24 to 36 hours of not brushing and caring for oral tissues properly. You can use an electric toothbrush which will massage your gums, stimulate blood-flow and also bring nutrients to the tissue as well as releasing toxins.
You can start using anti-bacterial mouthwash and toothpaste, opting for a water-pick to floss. Eating oral probiotics mints also helps prevent tooth decay and whitens your teeth along the way.
- Not Following a Natural Diet
Start picking produced over processed. Eating a good amount of natural food will boost the strength of your immune system and nourish your soft oral tissues.
- Smoking
Smokers are at a much higher risk of gum disease due to the many toxins in cigarettes which create inflammation and decrease your body’s immunity. Smoking also leads to fibrous and enlarged gums. Bleeding gums allow the dangerous periodontal bacteria to enter your blood and spread inflammation and disease to other parts of your body.
- Constant Stress
Constant stress will hinder your immune system’s ability to ward off gum disease. Stress causes inflammation in your blood vessels which breaks down the soft tissue in your mouth and prevent it from healing.
- You’ve Got an Over-Bite
If your teeth are not lined properly, crooked or crowded along with grinding and clenching habits leading to “bite disease”. This is due to the destructive forces that are being applied to your teeth, gums and tissues. Your gum recedes, and the bone begins deteriorating if too much pressure is applied.
4 Ways to Prevent Bleeding Gums
- Increase Your Oral Care
Plaque hardens to become tartar, a calcified substance that plaque adheres to and continues to irritate your gums, causing your gums to bleed and can progress to more advanced forms of gum disease if not removed.
Be sure to brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Gums can sometimes stop bleeding with regular flossing along with regular visits to the dentist.
- Examine Your Dental Tools
Even though you may brush and floss regularly with regular visits to your dentist, the problem may lie with your oral care hygiene tools which may be causing your gums to bleed.
In certain cases, it may not be your tools that are causing your gums to bleed but rather the way you use them.
- Consider Your Medicine
Certain medicine that you take will increase the chances of your gums bleeding. Certain medicines like over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin can thin your blood and increase bleeding. Always talk to your doctor if you think a medication is causing side effects.
- Visit Your Dentist
If you have already tried changing your oral care habits, adjusting your medications and maintaining a healthy diet, and it yields nothing, then your next step should be to visit your dentist. Your dentist can examine your teeth and determine if you are suffering from a more serious condition such as advanced gum disease through the use of ex-rays etc.
Stop your gums from bleeding and visit your nearest Joshua Hong Dental clinic today!