Healthy Gums Do Not Bleed
Bleeding Gums are not normal. Healthy gums should not bleed when brushing or flossing. Most common reasons for your gums to bleed are gingivitis/gum disease or a systemic health condition. It’s not normal for any part of your body to always bleed. If you experience bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, it’s time we address the problem.
First Course of Action -Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal
If you experience bleeding gums when brushing or flossing the first thing you should is, make an appointment with your dentist for a dental cleaning. Ask your dentist or hygienist what they recommend for you. Some patients need to use electric toothbrushes while other patients are good with a manual toothbrush.
Regardless, some patients may also benefit from water flossing in their routine. Since all cases are different it’s important to get recommendations from your dentist or hygienist.
Proper Dental Care – Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal
Some people may not know they are brushing their teeth the wrong way. Using a heavy hand can lead to gum issues, including bleeding. Sometimes people are in a rush to get out of the door, and they brush quickly and hard. Others may not be flossing properly. To see how to properly floss, check out this article. Remember to brush and floss a minimum of twice a day. Although, you should aim to do it after every time you eat.
Gingivitis and Bleeding Gums
Gingivitis causes our gums to be inflamed. What’s under your inflamed gums? Blood vessels that bleed easily. That’s why if you suffer from bleeding gums, then you most likely have gingivitis. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible. All you need is a professional cleaning and to adopt a healthy dental care routine. With this you can bring your gums back to health.
What Happens if You Don’t Address Gingivitis?
As we stated above, gingivitis is reversible, but if you refuse to get treatment it will get worse. Eventually, your gingivitis will become periodontitis disease. Periodontitis is not reversible, but it is treatable. It’s recommended that most people get their teeth cleaned every six months. However, if you have some form of gum disease, your dentist or hygiene specialist might recommend that you come every three months.
Systemic Health Conditions
People with diabetes are more at risk of developing gum issues. Those with diabetes are also at higher risk of bleeding gums. If you’re doing everything your dentist or hygienist is telling you and you’re coming in for your teeth cleanings on time, but your gums are still bleeding, you may want to visit your physician to determine weather diabetes is the cause of your bleeding gums.
Again, most people experience bleeding gums due to gum disease and not diabetes.
Plaque & Tartar
Plaque & Tartar are hard surfaces on your teeth and sometimes in between your gums. It’s really hard to remove unless you get a professional cleaning. If you notice that you have been brushing and flossing at least twice a day and you’ve been doing it properly, but you still experience bleeding gums after several weeks, it might be due to plaque and/or tartar.
This is why we recommend that your first course of action should be a visit to your dentist and hygienist.
