Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush My Teeth?

Have you noticed bleeding when you brush your teeth? Bleeding gums aren’t normal and can indicate a more serious dental issue you’ll want to address right away. Here’s what to know:

Bleeding Gums Can Mean You Have Gum Disease

Gum disease is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush or floss well, harmful bacteria build up in your mouth and causes inflammation in your gums. Swelling, tenderness, and bleeding are common symptoms. When gum disease progresses, your gums start to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets for bacteria to build up in. If untreated, gum disease leads to tooth loss.

Brushing too Hard Can Cause Bleeding

If you brush too hard or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, your gums may bleed. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle, circular motion when brushing. You don’t need to scrub hard at your gums and teeth to get them clean. When you floss, are you snapping or sawing the floss into your gums? That can cause bleeding, too.

Periodontal Treatment Can Reverse Gum Disease

When caught early, gum disease is fairly easy to treat and reverse. If your gums have only just started bleeding, you may only need a regular cleaning and an improved oral hygiene routine at home. For more serious cases, we often recommend scaling and root planing, which is a restorative treatment. With scaling, we clean out your gum pockets and remove built-up plaque and tartar. Root planing is when we smooth out the roots of your teeth, which helps your gums reattach.

Are Your Gums bleeding? Make an appointment at Seastone Dental in Summerville, SC

It’s best to treat gum disease as early as possible, so if you’re experiencing bleeding gums, come visit our office! We’ll check your oral health, determine if you have gum disease, and create a treatment plan. Please contact us today if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment.

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Categorised in: Gum Health, Oral Health, Oral Hygiene