Are your gums bleeding? Do your gums bleed every time you brush your teeth? Do you want to stop your gums from bleeding? Well, you’re in the right place!

Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed very easily, so it’s not normal to see blood after brushing or flossing your teeth. However, it can also be a sign of severe problems in your mouth; bleeding gums are a sign of inflamed gums, usually caused by bacteria. Yuck!

The good news is that this problem is easily remedied. Because bleeding gums are almost always caused by bacteria in the mouth, ridding the mouth of these bacteria should fix the problem, over time. 

Brushing and flossing, when done well, are the core of what makes up our daily oral hygiene practices and should undoubtedly be continued. However, if you have inflamed, bleeding gums, then you may need the help of a professional, such as Gisborne Family Dental. First things first however, let’s look at some of the common causes of bleeding gums. 

Gum Bleeding: Possible Causes

Overly aggressive brushing

Gum bleeding could be caused by an overly aggressive application of your toothbrush, which can irritate the gums and cause bleeding. That being said, bleeding gums are still usually a symptom of inflammation of the gum tissue caused by a buildup of bacterial plaque. If the plaque is not removed correctly, it gradually penetrates through the gum tissues causing damage to your gums. 

Overly aggressive brushing, combined with already inflamed gums, is a recipe for sore, bleeding gums. So take it easy, and be sure to use a soft toothbrush!

Alcohol and tobacco 

Alcohol and tobacco are also common causes of inflammation of the gums. This is because both substances can reduce the amount of saliva produced in the mouth, and saliva is one of the mouth’s first lines of defence in fighting bacteria. On top of this, both substances are toxic to the rest of your body and have been linked to a variety of different cancers. So if you smoke or drink excessively, just stop – your gums (and the rest of your body) will thank you later!

Diet and genetics

Poor diet and even your genetics can cause this inflammatory process. If you are suffering from an immunosuppressive disease, diabetes, pregnancy, or simply taking contraceptive or antiepileptic drugs, these could be why your gums are bleeding. Be sure to talk to your friendly local dentist to help understand why your gums may be bleeding!

Bleeding Gum Prevention

The best way to prevent gum bleeding is through proper oral hygiene, performed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste specifically formulated to aid bleeding gums. 

In addition to proper brushing after each meal, the prevention of bleeding gums and its unpleasant consequences is helped by the daily use of dental floss, professional cleaning every six months, and possibly the use of oral irrigators (water jets) to remove food residues between the teeth and under the gums.

Finally, optimal oral health cannot be separated from a healthy diet, which is low in simple sugars. Simple sugars, especially those present in sugary, acidic drinks and sticky foods – such as jam, honey, or gummy candies – are the worst exacerbators of plaque, tooth decay, and bleeding gums.

If you struggle with bleeding gums, ensure you get them assessed by a professional. At Gisborne Family Dental we provide gum maintenance to ensure you don’t have to keep dealing with bleeding gums. 

Bleeding Gum Treatment

Brush and floss

Well, we’ve all heard this before, but it is still as accurate as ever: brush your teeth twice a day (or better yet, after every meal) and floss twice a day (or better yet… after every meal). 

At Gisborne Family Dental, we specialise in the field of restorative dentistry and recommend fighting bleeding gums by using fluoride-based toothpaste and a soft hand-held or electric toothbrush. 

Brush your teeth at least twice a day for a few minutes at a time. This will help the fluoride present in the toothpaste to penetrate into and strengthen your teeth. In addition to protecting teeth and gums and keeping them in good condition, it reduces the onset of gum disease. 

As mentioned, it is advisable to brush your teeth in the evening before going to bed, as soon as you wake up, and it would be a good idea to brush your teeth after each meal and floss morning and night. Also, be sure to store your toothbrush correctly, as a poorly kept toothbrush could become a breeding ground for bacteria!

Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle help bleeding gums

These are two aspects that may seem somewhat far removed from bleeding gums, but this is not the case; they represent two fundamental aspects of a balanced, healthy you. 

A healthy diet is essential for our mouth to function properly; all those vitamins and nutrients are critical for making sure you are as healthy as you can be. On top of this, it is vital to follow a balanced diet as unhealthy foods such as sugary drinks and acidic sweets and desserts are very damaging to your teeth and gums. 

As mentioned previously, lifestyle factors can also affect your gum health. For example, smokers have an increased likelihood of developing gum disease, both because smoking decreases the amount of oxygen present in the blood, affecting the healing capacity of the gums and because nicotine accumulates on the teeth, forming a patina that promotes the formation of bacteria. 

Gum health is just one aspect of your overall health. Don’t neglect it simply because they’re not as visible as your abs – if you take care of your gums, you take care of yourself. 

Restorative dentistry for bleeding gums

Finally, one of the best ways to maintain good gum health and make sure you get rid of your bleeding gums for good is to visit a specialist. 

At Gisborne Family Dental, we are experts in restorative dentistry and can help you identify any issues your gums may be having. So don’t wait till it’s too late; take a look at our restorative dentistry services today, and we’ll have you smiling in no time.