How to Get My Gums to Stop Bleeding
Bleeding gums may seem like they aren’t a big deal, but they need to be addressed. Not only is it annoying to have your gums bleeding every time you brush your teeth or floss, but it is also a sign that there is something wrong.
Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
There are a few underlying health issues that may be causing your gums to bleed. These include diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis. Make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if you have these diseases.
How Do I Get My Gums to Stop Bleeding?
There are a few different ways that you can address bleeding gums. These include:
- Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide and/or salt water. In order to clear away the bacteria in your mouth that leads to gum disease, consider rinsing out your mouth with salt water and/or hydrogen peroxide. Salt water and hydrogen peroxide can also help with inflammation.
- Increase vitamin intake. Sometimes vitamin deficiency can contribute to bleeding gums. This includes vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin K. Make sure you are eating fruits and vegetables for these vitamins, and consider supplements to ensure you are getting your daily requirements.
- Calm down. Stress can actually affect your physical health along with your mental health. Because stress affects your immune system, it can actually have an effect on your oral health. Practice techniques to decrease your stress, and consider seeing a doctor if your stress levels are too high to handle by yourself.
- Quit smoking. Just as smoking is terrible for your lungs, it is also damaging to your oral health. Because of how smoking affects your immune system, it can make it more difficult to avoid plaque and gum disease. This is just another of many reasons to quit smoking.
- Decrease carb intake. Carbohydrates and sugar can actually increase the amount of plaque on your teeth. This leads to bleeding gums. Cut back on your sugar and carb intake.
- Green tea. Green tea has a natural antioxidant called “catechin,” which can help to stop gum bleeding and reverse periodontal disease. Consider having a few cups of green tea a day to improve the health of your gums.
- Proper oral care. The most obvious thing you can do to stop your gums from bleeding and fight off periodontal disease is to take proper care of your oral health overall. This means brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly. You should also visit your dentist for your regular cleanings, and any time an oral health issue arises.
Consult Your Dentist
The tips above can help you to improve the quality of your oral health, reduce or eliminate the bleeding of your gums and fight off periodontal disease. With that being said, if your gums continue to bleed you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to have them check out your gums and see how to best address the issue.