Bleeding Gums: What Is It?

In order to avoid bleeding gums, it is important to take care of your oral hygiene and to go to the dentist regularly.

Almost everyone has noticed bleeding gums when brushing their teeth. Indeed, we all thought it was because of the brushing and that it was just temporary. However, this is not a normal situation.

Bleeding gums are a bigger sign than they seem. It can be an early symptom of gum disease. Therefore, even if it happens sporadically, we should not ignore it. In this article, we will tell you what it is and what are the symptoms and causes.

What are bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation of the gums. It is usually accompanied by redness and, although it occurs during brushing, it can highlight gum disease. For example, gingivitis and periodontitis can be the cause.

Gingivitis

It is a very common form of gum disease. It is not serious although it can lead to periodontitis. The gums then become irritated and inflamed, making them red and swollen. This mainly affects the base of the teeth.

Gingivitis occurs, in most cases, because of  poor oral hygiene. It is therefore necessary to adopt good habits to prevent it. Indeed, it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day and to use dental floss daily. In addition, frequent checks at the dentist are essential.

Periodontitis

This is a serious infection of the gums. It causes the destruction of the bone that supports the teeth. As a result, she can end up knocking out her teeth. It is a relatively common disease.

Periodontitis is also linked to poor oral hygiene. However, other risk factors have also been identified. Indeed, many studies establish a link between tobacco and a higher incidence of periodontitis.

Other causes

It is important to know that bleeding gums can be explained by other situations as well. For example, brushing your teeth too hard, using a new toothbrush, having a new flossing routine, and taking certain medications can cause gum bleeding.

What causes bleeding gums?

The mouth is colonized by a huge number of bacteria constantly forming a sticky “plaque” which is deposited on the teeth and which is also caused by mucus and particles of leftover food.

This plaque can be removed with proper tooth brushing and flossing. If it doesn’t, it hardens and eventually forms tartar that builds up around and between teeth. The gums then become irritated, inflame and bleed.

How to prevent bleeding gums?

The first thing to do is to see your dentist for a proper examination. In addition, he will certainly perform dental scaling to remove tartar and then establish the most suitable treatment.

Regardless of the cause of the bleeding or the dentist’s action, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent and reduce bleeding gums. These tips should be applied every day, even if you do not have any gum disease:

• Brush your teeth daily: in reality, this is done 2 or 3 times a day. The ideal is to do it gently, for at least 2 minutes. Try to focus on the hardest to reach areas with the brush 
• Use, according to the recommendations of some experts, an electric toothbrush:  In all cases, it is better to opt for soft and rounded brushes. Be careful when brushing the gum line.
• Floss daily: this will help prevent tartar build-up between your teeth. Likewise, you should also use a mouthwash
• As we have already mentioned, visit the dentist regularly. The ideal is to go there every 6 months
• Stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol

On the other hand,  you have to be careful with your diet. Indeed, a complete diet must contain fruits and vegetables which provide you with all the vitamins that your gums and teeth require for good health. You should also avoid foods that are too high in sugar  as they can damage your teeth.

Conclusion

Bleeding gums  can be a sign of gum disease. So try to see your doctor as soon as possible. Finally,  try to maintain proper oral hygiene  to prevent it.