A small amount of bleeding while brushing or flossing is normal and common, but if you experience excessive or frequent gingival bleeding, see your dentist. In this case, “frequent” is defined as occurring for a few days in a row or a few times over the course of a month. Your gums could be bleeding for any one of a number of reasons, some of which are more threatening than others, and professional diagnosis is integral to planning effective treatment. Regardless of the cause of bleeding gums, the solution will involve learning or relearning effective oral hygiene habits, whether to protect the gums from injury or to help them heal from gum disease.
Bleeding gums can be prevented by adopting healthy habits early on and maintaining them for the long term. Key among these are:
- Practicing diligent oral hygiene, brushing and flossing gently yet thoroughly
- Regular visits to the dentist and dental hygienist
- Replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head every few months
- Avoiding smoking
- Highlighting a diet rich with vegetables and other healthful foods
- Minimizing intake of processed foods and added sugars
- Seeing your general practitioner to prevent health issues, like diabetes, that affect the gums, or to manage these conditions if they already exist
While the gums can bleed for a few different reasons, one of the more common causes of bleeding gums is gum disease. When intercepted early, gum disease is highly treatable, though it becomes more difficult to treat the longer it progresses unchecked. While bleeding gums, bad breath, and swelling are frequent early signs of gum disease, some gum disease is asymptomatic, underscoring the need to see your dentist regularly so they can evaluate your teeth and gums and spot the signs of early disease you might have missed. Ask your dentist how often they want to see you, and adhere to their schedule, which will help any early gum disease from developing into something far more destructive, whether it’s symptomatic or not.
Bleeding gums can also indicate a variety of other issues, including dramatic hormone fluctuations, vitamin deficiency, or some medical conditions, and you should see your dentist if your gums bleed regularly, or if the bleeding isn’t affected by home remedies like saltwater rinses, medical gauze, or a cold compress. After a thorough dental oral checkup, you may get a referral to a dental specialist, or you may be referred to your own doctor if there is an underlying cause for your bleeding. When such underlying conditions contribute to gum disease, you can work closely with your medical and dental teams to manage your condition and reduce the risks that may accompany it, including bleeding gums. The elements of a healthy lifestyle that help reduce the likelihood of gum disease, like avoiding smoking and eating fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables, also help reduce the likelihood or severity of conditions like diabetes that contribute to the likelihood of gum disease, and your behaviors, habits, and choices can make a big difference in determining how serious your bleeding gums might be. Don’t wait to see your dentist if you notice anything amiss – not just bleeding gums – and do your part to keep your teeth and gums whole and healthy for the long term.