Are Bleeding Gums Serious?
Have you noticed your gums bleeding when you are brushing or flossing? If your gums are bleeding regularly when you are brushing, flossing and/or rinsing, you’ll want to consider why this is and address the issue before it gets worse.
Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
There are a few different reasons why your gums may be bleeding. These include:
- Gingivitis
- Using a toothbrush with hard bristles
- Not brushing often enough
- Aggressive flossing
- Not going to the dentist regularly
Thankfully, there are a few different ways that you can address bleeding gums to slow or even stop their progression.
How to Address Bleeding Gums
Below are a few things you can do once you notice your gums are bleeding:
- Buy a new toothbrush. You may not even be aware of how hard the bristles of your toothbrush are. Look for a toothbrush with medium or soft bristles. Then, make sure you brush your gums softly.
- Go lighter on your flossing. While you want to be thorough when flossing, you don’t want to aggravate your gums. Gently work the floss between your teeth until the spaces between your teeth are clean.
- Quit smoking. Not only is smoking bad for your lungs, but it’s also bad for your gums. By quitting smoking, you can boost your immune system, and you can avoid gum disease.
- Gauze. Less of a long-term strategy, gauze is helpful when your gums begin bleeding and you have trouble stopping the flow of blood. This is particularly helpful when you find that your gums bleed occasionally and infrequently.
- Rinse with salt water and/or hydrogen peroxide. Rinsing with salt water and/or hydrogen peroxide can help to kill bacteria and heal your gums.
- Avoid sugar and carbs. By eliminating sugar and cutting back on your carb intake, you may be able to heal your gums. These types of foods can increase your tooth decay and inflame your gums.
Long-Term Strategies
One of the most important things you can do to avoid bleeding gums (and most dental issues) is visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. This gives your dentist the opportunity to diagnose any diseases or other issues that may be leading to your gums bleeding. They can also give you helpful tips to avoid bleeding in the future.
While you’ve heard this a lot growing up, it’s important to reiterate—brush, floss and rinse at least twice a day. This small habit can make a huge difference. Also, replace your toothbrush regularly (generally around 3 or 4 times a year).
If you notice that your gums have started bleeding regularly (more than a couple of times in a month) schedule an appointment with a dentist to address the issue before it worsens. Bleeding gums are often a telltale sign of underlying oral health problems. Your dentist will check out your teeth and gums, and they will recommend the best course of action.
Start taking proper care of your teeth and gums today to avoid bleeding gums.