Is it normal for my gums to bleed after brushing? The cause of bleeding gums while brushing is not dangerous in most cases. If you’ve ever had bleeding gums after brushing or flossing, you’ve probably felt worried that this is normal. However, a little bleeding is not a sign of anything harmful. There are several reasons why your gums may bleed after brushing. We also introduce the things you should do at home to treat or prevent it.
Why do my gums bleed after brushing?
Poor dental hygiene
If you notice slight bleeding from your gums after flossing, it may be a sign of poor oral hygiene. Poor dental hygiene can increase the growth of bacteria in the mouth and lead to redness and inflammation of the gums. For this reason, when you brush your teeth or floss your teeth, the gums bleed more.
Strong brushing or flossing
If you brush or floss too hard, you may experience bleeding gums. Especially if you use hard toothbrushes. Although there are different types of toothbrushes from medium to hard, most people prefer to choose a soft toothbrush.
Some people believe that hard toothbrushes clean teeth better. But in most cases, it is not like this. Hard toothbrushes may lead to gingivitis, bleeding, and even loss of gums.
Swelling of the gum
One of the signs of inflammation is bleeding gums. Gingivitis occurs when bacterial plaque accumulates at the gum line. Other symptoms of gingivitis include redness, swelling, and irritability of the gums. The good news is that gingivitis is completely treatable with regular brushing and flossing or professional cleaning by a dentist.
Periodontitis
If you do not pay attention to gum inflammation and it progresses slowly, you will suffer from periodontitis or gum disease. Periodontitis is a long-term problem and can damage the tissue that protects your teeth. Your gums may become red and inflamed and even separate from your teeth. If you do not take care of this problem, you may lose some of your teeth. In periodontitis, the gums bleed easily because they are very irritated and inflamed.
Pregnancy
Almost 40% of pregnant women experience gingivitis at some point in pregnancy, which is usually between the second and eighth months. This happens due to hormonal changes due to the increase in progesterone, which makes your gums more sensitive to plaque and also facilitates the growth of bacteria on the teeth and along the gum line. One of the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis is redness and inflammation of the gums, which can be the cause of bleeding gums when brushing.
Special drugs
A series of certain drugs can be the cause of bleeding gums when brushing. Medicines such as blood thinners as well as over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin. If you are concerned about the medications you are taking, consult your doctor.
Fix bleeding gums at home
Dental hygiene
In most cases, oral hygiene simply prevents bleeding gums. Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day. Be sure to visit your dentist in time to protect your teeth and eliminate the cause of bleeding gums while brushing.
Washing with hydrogen peroxide
Most people use hydrogen peroxide at home as a disinfectant for cuts or scrapes. It can also be used as a mouthwash after brushing. After brushing and flossing, swirl it in your mouth like a mouthwash, and then pour it out completely. Hydrogen peroxide reduces gum inflammation, which ultimately reduces gum bleeding.
Increasing consumption of vitamin C and K
By consuming foods rich in vitamins C and K, you can prevent the cause of bleeding gums when brushing your teeth. Since vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system, it reduces gum infections, which can cause inflammation and bleeding. On the other hand, vitamin K helps your blood to clot, so its deficiency can cause bleeding gums when you brush your teeth.
Bleeding gums treatment with laser
As mentioned, the most important cause of bleeding gums is dental caries and plaque. In advanced cases of gum bleeding, it is not possible to get rid of this problem even with scaling. The dental laser is the best treatment in these cases. Laser in the treatment of bleeding gums, in addition to disinfecting the gums, brings you a quick and painless treatment.
Dentist appointment
If the bleeding gums continue for more than a week, now is the time to see a dentist in Canada. The dentist will check for potential problems and possibly perform a deep cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line.