If your gums bleed every time you eat, brush your teeth, floss, or just relax, it’s not a normal occurrence and you should be concerned. Bleeding gums are a sign that your oral cavity may be unhealthy, or it may be a sign that is linked to one or more of the four following causes:
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a condition that often develops when the plaque on your teeth begins to irritate your gums. The only way to prevent this is to keep up with your six month checkups. During these appointments, your dentist and hygienist will scrape the plaque off the surfaces of your teeth. If you do not keep up with these appointments, the disease could advance into later stages of the disease that could eventually cause loose and lost teeth.
• Flossing: Flossing may make your gums bleed, but it’s only because you don’t floss as often as you should. If you do not floss every day, your gums become tender and sensitive, and each time you floss, they become irritated and they begin to bleed, which is why it is important to brush every day.
• Brushing: Forcefully brushing with a new toothbrush could definitely make your gums bleed. This is because your gums are oral tissues that can be easily damaged if you are not gentle with them. So, do your best to brush in a softer, gentler way.
• Tobacco Products: Tobacco use is very dangerous, especially for your mouth. If you smoke, you are extremely vulnerable to gum disease and oral sores. These are both painful conditions that can alter the health and appearance of your smile. To prevent these conditions as well as treat them, it’s best to quit the habit.
There are also other things that may make your gums bleed, like chemotherapy, hormones, and canker sores, and we invite you to come into our office so we can examine your smile and identify the problem. Your gums are important oral tissues that help you more than you know, and it’s important to take care of them. If you have any questions or if you would like to know more, we invite you to call our office now. We look forward to talking with you!
