Do you ever find that when you floss or wash your teeth, your gums are bleeding? There are a variety of reasons why gums bleed, from improper brushing techniques to more serious conditions like gum disease. Gum bleeding is not harmful in and of itself, but the underlying condition that is causing it might be.

There are 7 possible reasons why your gums are bleeding:

1. Gingivitis – The accumulation of plaque at the gumline is the primary cause of bleeding gums. If left untreated, this disease eventually progresses to gingivitis, also known as inflamed gums, in which the gums swell, become painful, and bleed when being brushed or flossed. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can develop into gum disease, one of the major factors in adult tooth loss.
2. Brushing your teeth excessively – Brushing your teeth excessively does not improve oral hygiene; instead, it increases your risk of gum recession and bleeding gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and modify your brushing technique when brushing your teeth. Brushing doesn’t need to be aggressive. You need to follow proper technique and be gentle.
3. Improperly fitting dentures – Inadequately fitting dentures may scratch your gums and irritate them, which may result in bleeding gums. People who don’t remove their dentures at night may be particularly susceptible to gum bleeding. Additionally, it is crucial to thoroughly brush your teeth and clean your dentures if you wear dentures in order to avoid plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
4. Blood thinning medications – Drugs that thin the blood make it less likely to clot, which makes bleeding more likely.
5. Poor diet – Some of the chemicals in processed food might irritate and bleed the gums. Choose a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, foods high in calcium, vitamins A, K, and C, and foods low in sugar and processed foods.
6. Health issues – Patients with particular medical conditions, such as liver illness, blood coagulation abnormalities, anemia, leukemia, and temporal arteritis, are more likely to experience gum bleeding.
7. Pregnancy – Pregnancy causes swollen, red, and painful gums that bleed when pregnant women clean or floss their teeth. This occurs because pregnancy-related hormonal changes affect how the body reacts to the germs that cause gum disease. During pregnancy, take good care of your gums and teeth by brushing them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day.

How to prevent gum bleeding?

You may need to focus more on your dental hygiene if you see signs of gum disease.

Here’s how to avoid gum disease and maintain healthy gums:

• After every meal, spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth.
• Your dentist or hygienist can give you advice on how often to use dental floss.
• Use a soft  toothbrush
• Mouthwashes with antibacterial agents may also be helpful. First, see your dentist or pharmacist since, occasionally, medical mouthwashes can have negative side effects.
• You can get dental hygiene recommendations from your dentist as well.

Bleeding gums shouldn’t be ignored. Visit your trusted dentist at My Family Dental clinic for your dental check-up. Call us at 780-937-3737 to book an appointment now!