4 Reasons Why Your Gums Are Bleeding

15 April 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, you may have noticed that your gums will bleed when brushing your teeth. Even if there is only a little bit of blood, you need to be concerned since it can be a sign you have a problem that needs to be resolved. The following 4 reasons could be why you have bleeding gums.

You Are Not Practicing Great Oral Hygiene

One reason why gums can bleed is due to poor oral hygiene. Brushing regularly is simply not enough, as you should be brushing well to keep your gums healthy.

A common mistake is brushing only the top surface of the teeth and not stimulating the gums. Your gum line is where bacteria can easily hide, which is why it's a good idea to make sure part of your toothbrush is overlapping with your gums. It will get rid of plaque that is hiding underneath the surface your gums, which can be a cause for bleeding.

You Have Gum Disease

Once you have developed gum disease, the gums will be much more sensitive, easily bleed, and have inflammation. Gum disease isn't painful in its early stages, which causes many people to ignore the warning signs. Unfortunately, it can eventually cause you to lose your teeth.

Preventing gum disease requires you to be much more diligent with flossing to keep plaque out of your gums. Go beyond flossing only when brushing your teeth, and do it after meals as well. Rinsing your mouth out after eating also helps remove any food particles that may be stuck along your gums.

You Are Experiencing Changes To Your Hormones

Pregnancy is a common cause of bleeding gums in women due to the changes in hormones. Blood flow will increase to the gums, causing them to bleed more often. While your gums will return to normal after a pregnancy is over, you can help alleviate the problem by using a toothbrush with soft bristles.

You Have A Bleeding Disorder

If bleeding is occurring in places other than your gums, it can be due to bleeding disorder. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a disorder that makes it difficult for your body to create blood clots. It's a treatable condition, and addressing the disorder can help reduce bleeding in your gums.

Still have questions about bleeding gums? Contact a local dentist to get a consultation about what you can do about it.


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