Bleeding Gums? How It Happened and What to Do Next

Did you know that a lot of British people don’t visit the dentist on a regular basis? In fact, only about 22.1 million adult patients visited an NHS dentist each year. That equates to about 51.8% of the entire adult population of the country.

If your tooth hurts, don’t follow the example set by the majority!

It’s important not to ignore it. The pain might be a sign of underlying dental problems. That’s why you need to go to the dentist as soon as you can, especially when you have bleeding gums.

But what causes your gums to bleed? Here are some possible reasons and what you can do to treat them:

1. Gingivitis

When it comes to gum diseases, Gingivitis is the first sign you experience. It happens due to the plaques that build up on your teeth’s gum line. It serves as the perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that can cause your gums to become infected.

This happens more if you don’t brush or floss away the plaque build-up. The symptoms of gingivitis cause your gum tenderness and swelling. In some cases, they bleed whenever you brush or floss.

It’s not a simple disease you can dismiss, as it becomes worse as you age. The fact that only about 17% of adults with teeth have no evidence of gum diseases is disturbing. The best way you can improve is through proper brushing and flossing.

2. Medications

If you experience gums bleeding, you might want to check your medications. Studies found out that blood-thinning medicines make your gums tender. The reason is due to the medicines’ ability to make your blood less capable of clotting.

Taking this type of medicine can make it easier for you to bleed in general. Are you taking this type of medication? If so, notify your dentist the next time you visit for a better assessment and recommendation.

3. Flossing Routine Changes

Did you change your flossing routine? If so, that might be the reason your gums are bleeding. It doesn’t matter whether you increase or decrease your flossing—it can make you bleed.

Always remember that this should only happen for a few times. If it happens every time you start flossing, it’s time to make a visit to your dentist as soon as possible. This helps them diagnose a possible serious condition before it starts getting worse.

This also applies to brushing. In most cases, you might have the improper bristles for your brushing needs. If you try out hard bristles and experience bleeding, it’s better for you to go back to soft bristles.

4. Pregnancy Gingivitis

It might sound like a fake condition, but it’s true enough. There are a lot of studies that support pregnancy gingivitis’s existence. A lot of experts agree that the hormonal changes during the entire process change how your body responds to the bacteria causing gum illnesses.

If you’re pregnant, you might end up having swollen gums. You might experience gums bleeding while brushing, which can get alarming. You shouldn’t worry about it since it clears up as soon as you give birth.

5. Poor Oral Hygiene and Diet

A lot of people forget to practice proper oral hygiene. It isn’t an excuse to forget your oral hygiene routine since proper brushing only takes two minutes. After you brush, you need to floss to ensure that the plaque stays at the minimum.

Remember, swollen gums and gingivitis result from plaque build-up. Don’t skip out no matter what happens since even a day of neglect can lead to diseased gums. It’s especially important if you have a poor diet.

There are a lot of food ingredients out there that can cause your gums to bleed due to irritation. If you find your gums bleeding, you need to start eating healthier. Opt to eat fruits and vegetables as well as foods rich with calcium, vitamin C and D, and Magnesium.

These minerals are important to achieve better oral health. If you don’t know how to start, you can always use the internet to research possible food choices. For best results, you need a nutritionist to ensure you get the required daily recommended amounts.

6. Stress

Did you know that England has the most stressed people when it comes to working? More than 37% report they feel stressed once per week. It’s likely you’re stressed out too.

If you’re stressed out and anxious each day, it will affect your immune system in a lot of negative ways.

That makes it more difficult for your gums to stave off diseases. Another negative effect of stress is the swelling of your blood vessels. This will break your mouth’s soft tissue, which halts the healing process.

A good way to avoid stress is to avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you can’t, reduce it since this contributes to your stress levels. It’s better to swap these drinks out with water or diluted fruit juices to help you stay hydrated while helping you relax.

7. Misaligned Bites

Do you have an overbite or have a habit of grinding your teeth? This might lead you to develop a bite disease. In simple terms, you’re applying destructive forces to your teeth as well as the supporting tissue and bones.

The gum will recede if you continue hitting too hard on one spot. This also causes the bones to deteriorate. In the end, it makes the best condition for gum diseases to flourish.

If you feel like you’re having bite problems, visit a dentist today. It’s important since they have the right means of dealing with misaligned bites. Don’t delay since you might end up with a more serious condition before long.

8. Smoking

If you smoke on a regular basis, it’s highly likely for your gums to start bleeding. After all, the chemicals present in your cigarette increase the risk of gum disease. It also makes your gums more sensitive and bleed easier.

Having this condition increases the chance of dangerous bacteria entering your bloodstream. After all, the bleeding teeth and gum line becomes the best entryway for them. It’s especially more dangerous if you have a poor oral hygiene routine.

How to Stop Bleeding Gums

When you bleed while brushing or flossing, don’t shrug it off. It isn’t normal since it hides a deeper, possibly dangerous problem. There are more factors that you need to consider when it starts bleeding, but there are sure-fire ways to make it stop.

So what can you do? Here are some lifestyle changes you need to consider:

1. Increase Vitamin C Intake

You need to find foods rich in Vitamin C to ensure your immune system stays at peak performance. This will aid in fighting off possible gum infections that can cause your gums to bleed. Some of the foods rich on this vitamin include:

• Oranges
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots
• Red Peppers

If that doesn’t appeal to you, ask a physician for vitamin C supplements. It’s a powerful antioxidant, meaning it keeps your connective tissues strong. It also protects your gum lining, so a 65-90 milligram daily dose can help maintain your oral health.

2. Apply Cold Compress

Your lifestyle choices aren’t always the cause of gums bleeding. Trauma or gum tissue injury can also be a possible cause. If you have injuries, you need to apply a cold compress to help stop the swelling.

Cold compresses can also aid in restricting the blood flow. This stops the bleeding, provided you do it in a proper manner. Apply ice packs a few times each day, letting it stay for at least 20 minutes.

3. Eat Fewer Carbs

A lot of studies found that carbohydrate reduction improves gum health and prevents diseases from happening. It also helps keep your teeth white and bright after tooth whitening procedures. The reason is that carbs and sugar-rich foods help grow bacteria and spread plaque.

The more plaque you accumulate, the easier it is for your gums to bleed. Brushing and flossing alone aren’t enough to reduce the build-up. That’s why it’s necessary to cut back on carbs to curb the formation of plaque.

4. Use Salt Water for Mouth Rinsing

Warm salt water reduces the growth of bacteria if done as part of your daily habits. It’s easy since all you need is to add a half teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it at least three times each day.

This method also works for trauma injuries. After all, it keeps your mouth free from the bacteria that infect the wounds resulting from it.

Stop Bleeding Gums Today!

If the bleeding doesn’t improve within a week or two, it’s time to visit the dentist. Depending on your condition, you might need a deep dental cleaning procedure. This helps in plaque and tartar removal while helping your bleeding gums heal faster.

Your dentist might also ask if you’re lacking in some vitamins and minerals. Contact us today if you need help with your dental health. We perform both general and cosmetic dentistry, helping you get the best smile you can ever have.