There are a variety of causes for bleeding gums, but the primary cause is gum disease. If you see that your gums appear swollen or are changing in color from a healthy pink to a darker red, you need to address the condition of your gums. You might see a red tint on your toothbrush or a suggestion of blood in the sink when you finish brushing or flossing. There are a few practical solutions you can try at home to treat your bleeding gums, but if the bleeding continues for more than a week, it is best to schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination. You are likely to have some stage of gum disease. To both stop the gum disease and reverse it, it is wise to rely on the professional assistance of your dentist.
The Causes for Bleeding Gums
There can be a diverse selection of reasons for your bleeding gums, with the primary cause being gum disease. Here are a few other common causes:
- The continued accumulation of damaging plaque on your teeth is because you are simply not practicing proper daily oral health care.
- Irritating your gums by aggressively using dental floss.
- Using a stiff toothbrush or brushing too aggressively will irritate your gums.
- An older and worn-out toothbrush will not effectively remove the plaque.
- Certain medicines, such as aspirin, blood thinners, or ibuprofen, will accelerate gum bleeding.
- Hormonal change from pregnancy.
- A deficiency in either vitamin C or K.
- Having poor eating habits.
- Attempting to manage and control diabetes.
- The lack of platelets will hinder clotting.
- Poorly fitting dentures.
- Suffering from gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.
Treatments at Home to Address Bleeding Gums
Here are some suggestions to stop your bleeding gums at home:
- Purchase a soft-bristle toothbrush; a stiff brush damages the tissue.
- Floss gently and patiently.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water often to remove the constant excessive bacteria.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate damaging bacteria.
- Consider using a damp gauze pad.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling of the gums and slow down the blood flow.
- Avoid smoking because it has a direct correlation with gum disease.
- Stay away from processed and sugary foods that also promote and encourage plaque buildup.
Professional Treatment for Bleeding Gums
The simplest and easiest way to treat your bleeding gums is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. A routine and thorough examination, including X-rays, will identify and determine the source of your bleeding gums. Often it will be from gum disease. It is a frequent and leading cause. More than half of American adults over the age of thirty are suffering from some level of gum disease.
If gum disease is the source, your dental team will start with a professional teeth cleaning. This is a popular and common treatment to remove plaque accumulation from your teeth by using either a handheld dental scaler or a vibrating ultrasonic device. The bacteria in the plaque immediately infect the gums upon contact. By removing this sole source of the infection, your gums will promptly heal on their own, or your dentist might include an antibiotic to enhance the healing process.
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