Treating Bleeding Gums

By Anna Bird

One morning you're brushing your teeth and notice some red coloring in the toothpaste you just spat into the sink. You become alarmed, knowing that when there's blood, something isn't right.

You also don't want to jump to conclusions, assuming the worst-case scenario that you have gum disease.

Before making an appointment with your dental office, here are some ways to treat your bleeding gums:

Look at Your Flossing Habits

Do you floss every day? Do you go in between each tooth or do you do a quick floss of the areas you can easily reach?

If your flossing routine has been inconsistent, non-existent or improperly done, your gums can bleed when you do decide to take flossing seriously, meticulous getting down deep between each tooth every day. Your gums are not used to the trauma of flossing and will bleed.

Your gums should, however, stop bleeding after a few days of thorough flossing.

Ease Up on the Brushing

If you're thinking that the harder and faster your brush your teeth and gums, the cleaner they will be, you're inadvertently making them more prone to injury, disease and infection. When you brush your teeth too vigorously you scrape off and weaken teeth enamel and irritate and scratch delicate gum tissue.

When you scratch gum tissue, it will bleed to ward off infection.

Brushing harder and faster isn't better. Try brushing more gently in a circular motion and avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth and gums.

Watch Your Diet

Your oral hygiene routine can be flawless, but a poor diet can sabotage your immaculate oral care.

A diet packed with sugars and simple carbohydrates, such as starches, is not only detrimental to the health of your teeth, but can also lower the health of your gums.

Plaque from sugars and broken-down carbohydrates can weaken gum tissue, making it more vulnerable to gum disease.

Take Inventory of Your Equipment

A flawless oral hygiene routine is pointless if you don't have the right oral care equipment. For good oral hygiene, you need a soft-bristled toothbrush that is less than three months old, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash.

If you've had your toothbrush longer than three months, you're not cleaning your mouth, you're re-introducing germs and bacteria back into the mouth.

Fluoride toothpaste is highly recommended for strengthening tooth enamel and reducing your risk of getting tooth decay and gum disease.

With not dental floss, you can't floss, which is important in preventing gum disease and tooth decay.

Mouthwash is optional, but it provides an extra layer of clean that removes plaque or bacteria you may have missed from flossing and brushing.

If after you've tried changing your brushing habits and eating habits, your gums continue to bleed or their condition worsens with redness and inflammation, it is time to set up an appointment with your dentist as it is likely you have gum disease.

Fast, proactive treatment of gum disease is key is preventing it from progressing to the more serious periodontal disease.

There are many things that cause bleeding gums. These range from a too aggressive oral hygiene routine, such as brushing the teeth too fast or applying too much pressure, to the beginning stages of gum disease.

Bleeding gums are not normal and should be looked by a dental professional so prompt, appropriate treatment can be commenced.