Many of our patients are wondering, “Why I experience bleeding gums every time I brush my teeth?” There are several causes of it but we will talk about the most common ones and what to do about the bleeding.
Dental Plaque
Dental plaque could irritate your gums. Plaque is a film filled with bacteria. It attaches to your teeth if you do not practice excellent oral hygiene. It typically begins as sticky film and it hardens into a substance. The substance triggers the immune system to react causing gums to get inflamed and prone to bleeding.
Pregnant women are prone to bleeding gums. Women, who are taking birth control pills with hormones the same as the ones produced during pregnancy, may also experience bleeding gums.
Gum Disease
Without proper treatment, dental plaque will cause your gums to separate from the teeth. It will result in pocket or gap formation between the gums and teeth allowing bacteria to get trapped in the pockets. The dental plaque will now turn into tartar.
Tartar is a common cause of periodontitis or gum disease. It is linked to serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Uncontrolled tartar buildup can cause tooth decay and gum disease. If not treated, they could lead to permanent tooth loss.
What to do About Bleeding Gums
You should improve your oral hygiene. Cleaning your teeth every day will not take half an hour. It may take a few minutes but it is a time well spent.
You should start by using fluoride toothpaste. Your brush must have soft bristles. Brush your teeth for two minutes before rinsing. When you brush, make sure that you clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces.
Then, do not forget to floss. It is the most effective way to remove plaque found between your teeth. When you floss, make sure that you curve it in a “c” shape to effectively clean this area. Flossing must be done at least once a day. But you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you can, consider brushing after every meal.
Regular Teeth Cleaning
You must also visit your dentist for regular cleaning. Professional dental cleaning will help remove plaque buildup that your brush and floss cannot reach. When you visit your dentist, he will check your teeth and gums to know more about why you have bleeding gums. He may give you a refresher course on the proper way to brush your teeth to prevent gums from bleeding.
Oral hygiene is vital to stop your gums from bleeding and to avoid gum disease. Make an appointment with your dentist to better know why your gums are bleeding. It could be that you have a certain medical condition or you just need a professional dental cleaning.
Keep in mind that some people are more likely to experience gum disease than others. If you are one of them, then make sure to visit your dentist regularly and have your teeth and gums checked by a dental professional.
Call us today to schedule an appointment and help you resolve your bleeding gums.