Sometimes, people’s gums bleed a little bit if they brush or floss incorrectly. If you’ve seen blood in your bathroom sink while you’re brushing and flossing, you might be wondering if it’s something you should be concerned about. Occasionally, minimal bleeding from the gums is something most adults have experienced, and it might not be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed more frequently or more severely, however, make an appointment with your dentist; this is never a good sign, but with different approaches, the gums can be brought back to health.
Common causes of bleeding gums include:
- Improper brushing
- Bad flossing technique
- Gum disease
- Injury
Clearly, if you’re injured enough to make your gums bleed, there are probably other signs of injury, including pain, and you should seek medical attention right away. More subtle bleeding might indicate that you’re brushing your teeth too forcefully. This might seem like the best way to make sure they’re clean, but it’s easy to irritate the delicate gum tissue, and brushing should be approached gently. Holding a soft-bristled brush loosely and brushing in small, circular motions can help keep the gums safe while effectively cleaning the teeth. Flossing properly, by gently sliding the floss along the curve of each tooth, is an acquired skill, and brushing well can take practice. Your dental hygienist can review the best techniques with you at your appointment.
In fact, changing your brushing and flossing habits can help protect your gums in more ways than one. Gum disease, characterized by inflammation in the gums that can lead to bleeding, can be prevented with a healthy hygiene routine that includes routine dental checkups and cleanings. It’s not as easy to stop bleeding gums when they show up because of gum disease, but treatment is possible, and the sooner gum disease is detected, the easier it is to treat. Swelling, bad breath, and occasional bleeding are common early symptoms of gum disease, or gingivitis, which can be reversed in these early stages with the help of professional cleanings and diligent dental hygiene.
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, and while plaque can be removed with proper brushing and flossing, calcified tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. When gum disease is left untreated and allowed to develop into periodontitis, however, tartar builds up between the gums and the teeth, gradually infecting all the oral tissues, leading to tooth loss and bone damage, and increasing the likelihood of systemic infections and even cardiovascular disease. Bleeding gums pale in comparison to the long-term effects of untreated gum disease. Ignoring bleeding gums can have significant repercussions, especially if it goes on for a long time. If your gums bleed for a few days in a row, or if you notice that your gums are bleeding more than one or two times a month, make an appointment with your dentist. With a thorough examination, your dentist will be able to determine the cause of your bleeding gums and set you on the best course of action to solve the problem before even greater destruction can occur.