Seeing blood after brushing your teeth or using dental floss might mean your gums are not healthy. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, a gum disease that shouldn’t be ignored, hoping it will all get better on its own.
Dealing with bleeding gums can be tricky, so it’s best to talk to your dentist right away. They can give you the correct advice for your condition. There could be any reason behind it, like brushing too hard, an injury, pregnancy, or an infection.
Don’t wait around if your gums bleed when you brush or floss. Here’s how to stop bleeding gums until you see your dentist for treatment.
So, What Causes Gums to Bleed?
You might wonder, “Why do my gums bleed after brushing?” The main reason is plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on your teeth if you don’t brush and floss regularly. Not getting rid of it can lead to gingivitis, which means your gums can become irritated, red, swollen, and prone to bleeding.
Various other factors also contribute to making your gums bleed, like gum disease, changes in hormones during pregnancy or menopause, health issues like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Chron’s disease, HIV/AIDS, or even consumption of certain medications.
What If I Ignore My Bleeding Gums?
If you ignore bleeding gums, especially if they’re caused by gum disease, they can get worse over time. Gum disease can damage the tissues and bones that hold your teeth, causing infection, bad breath, and even tooth loss if not treated.
If your bleeding gums are caused by other health problems, they might get worse as those problems worsen. It’s important to see a healthcare provider to find out what’s going on and start any treatment you need.
Tips on How to Stop Bleeding Gums
No matter what is causing your gums to bleed, it’s important to talk to your dentist immediately. They can check your symptoms and determine the cause.
Until then, you can try the following tips to stop bleeding from your gums.
1. Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene
If your gums are bleeding, you might not be taking care of your teeth well.
When a sticky layer of bacteria called plaque forms on your gums, they can swell and bleed. Plaque covers your teeth and gums; the bacteria can cause tooth decay or gum disease if you don’t brush or floss enough.
To make your mouth healthier, brush your teeth twice and floss once daily. Pregnant women need to be extra careful because hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause gum disease and bleeding gums.
2. Using Gauze
Keeping your mouth clean can help fix bleeding gums. Just like with bleeding from anywhere else, you can stop the bleeding by gently pressing a clean, wet piece of gauze against the area where your gums are bleeding.
Hold the gauze gently over the area until the bleeding stops. If you have a weak immune system or other health problems, it might take longer for your gums to stop bleeding.
3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash
You might have hydrogen peroxide at home to clean wounds. But did you know it can also help your gums and stop them from bleeding? After you brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide, but don’t swallow it.
A study with 99 people examined how effective hydrogen peroxide was for reducing gingivitis and making teeth whiter. The people who used hydrogen peroxide mouthwash had less gum inflammation than those who didn’t.
4. Quit Smoking
Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs and heart; it is also bad for your gums. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say smoking is a big reason why many people in the United States have severe gum problems.
Smoking weakens your body’s ability to fight off bacteria in plaque, which can cause gum disease. If you stop smoking, your gums can get better and stop bleeding. Ask your doctor for advice on the best way to quit smoking.
5. Lower Your Stress
It’s hard to avoid stress, but having too much of it might make you more likely to get gum disease. Studies show that not only does feeling stressed put you at risk for gum problems, but it might also make them worse if you already have them.
Feeling stressed might also cause some people to forget to brush their teeth, leading to plaque buildup. Look into ways to relax and reduce stress in your life.
6. Eat More Foods with Vitamin C
Eating foods with lots of vitamin C can strengthen your immune system and help your gums fight infections that cause bleeding.
But if you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, your bleeding gums might worsen, even if you brush your teeth well.
Some foods with vitamin C are:
- Oranges
- Sweet potatoes
- Red peppers
- Carrots
You can also ask your doctor about taking a vitamin C pill. Vitamin C is like a bodyguard for your gums, protecting and keeping them healthy. Adults should get about 65 to 90 milligrams of vitamin C every day.
7. Get More Vitamin K
Taking a vitamin K pill might help your bleeding gums. Vitamin K helps blood clot and stops bleeding easily, making it an essential source of vitamins for bleeding gums.
Foods with vitamin K include:
- Spinach
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Mustard greens
The Office of Dietary Supplements says men should aim for 120 micrograms of vitamin K each day, and women should get 90 micrograms for a healthy mouth and body.
8. Use a Cold Pack
Sometimes, gums bleed because they got hurt and not because of any gum disease. Putting something cold on your gums can make them less swollen and stop the bleeding.
Try putting an ice pack or a cold cloth on your gums for at least 20 minutes daily, and then take it off. Repeat the process for some time to see visible results.
9. Cut down on sugary foods
Studies have shown that consuming less sugary foods might make your gums healthier and prevent gum disease. Carbs and sugar make plaque and bacteria grow on your gums; the more plaque there is, the more likely your gums will bleed.
Even though brushing and flossing can help, eating fewer sugary foods can help stop plaque from building up in the first place.
10. Use salt water to rinse
To help stop gum bleeding caused by bacteria and inflammation, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water regularly. This can reduce bacteria and make your gums healthier.
Rinse your mouth with half a teaspoon of salt in warm water for a few seconds three to four times daily. If your gums are bleeding due to an injury, this will keep your mouth clean and prevent bacteria from causing an infection.
Preventive Measures for Long-Term Care
The best way to stop bleeding gums is by living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some things you can do to avoid bleeding gums and other dental issues:
- Brush and floss daily to keep your mouth clean.
- Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.
- Schedule appointments with a hygienist for professional deep teeth cleaning and to remove tartar from your teeth.
- See your doctor regularly to check for health issues like diabetes that could affect your gums.
- Quit smoking, or talk to your doctor for help quitting.
- Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, and limit processed foods and sugary snacks.
When to See a Dental Professional
If your gums have been bleeding continuously for 7 to 10 days, visit a dentist. You must also talk to your dental expert if you see any changes in your gums, teeth, or mouth.
Gums shouldn’t hurt, look red, or bleed constantly. If these problems occur frequently or don’t go away, even if you take good care of your teeth, your dentist can check for gum disease and other problems. Also, if you have signs of infection like fever or swelling, see a healthcare professional immediately.
Your doctor might also do some tests to see if you have low vitamin levels that could make your gums bleed.
Looking to Cure Your Bleeding Gums? Rivers Bend Family Dental Can Help
Gums can bleed for different reasons. If it’s just a little bleeding, it’s usually not an emergency. However, if your gums bleed every time you brush, you must see a dentist to figure out why.
At Rivers Bend Family Dental, we use a modern approach to dental care, creating a personalized plan for each patient based on their needs. We understand that taking care of your teeth is crucial for your overall well-being, so we’re dedicated to providing new and effective solutions to keep your dental health in check.
If you have bleeding gums or other dental problems, schedule an appointment with Rivers Bend Family Dental today!
FAQs
1. Can stress make my gums bleed?
—Yes, stress weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight gum infections. Relaxation methods like meditation or yoga can indirectly help your gums.
2. Does what I eat affect my gums?
Definitely. Eating a balanced diet with lots of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin Cand K, helps keep gums healthy by boosting the immune system and aiding tissue repair.
3. Does drinking water help my gums?
Yes, staying hydrated is important because it helps produce saliva, which washes away bacteria that can cause gum disease. Drink water regularly to indirectly support gum health.
4. Can my medications affect my gums?
Yes, some medications can cause dry mouth or affect blood clotting, which may lead to gum problems. If you notice bleeding gums while on medication, talk to your doctor.
5. Are gum problems linked to other health issues?
Yes, gum disease is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Taking care of your gums can positively impact your overall health.
