Gums Bleed During Brushing

Picture this scenario; you wake up in morning, take a shower, and begin brushing your teeth. Once your spit you notice that your frothy toothpaste has been tinted with the color of blood. Logic dictates that if something is causing bleeding than you should halt that action but the truth is brushing is one of the few things that can stop bleeding gums.

Bleeding gums is usually indicative of the early stages of gum disease and gingivitis. Gum disease is caused by a lack of proper home care. Proper home care includes brushing your teeth twice a day and always remembering to floss. If left untreated, basic gingivitis can become periodontal disease which is more serious and in some cases irreversible. Severe periodontitis can even lead to tooth loss and heart disease.

If you suspect that you or your child is suffering from periodontal disease it is advised that your visit your dentist as soon as possible. Gum disease can be reversed if it is caught in its early stages. The typical procedure for mitigating gum disease is a scaling procedure. A scaling procedure entails a dental hygienist literally scraping the plaque and bacteria from beneath the gum line.

Scaling procedures are not pleasant and usually require the use of a local anesthetic like Novocain to mitigate the pain. The best advice for treating gum disease is to avoid it all together. This can be done by visiting the dentist twice a year and always staying on top of your home care.

That being said, bleeding gums is not always indicative of gum disease. Another cause of bleeding gums is a tooth brush with tough bristles or brushing too vigorously. Consult your dentist about brushing techniques and finding the right tooth brush for your mouth.

For more information about oral health and how to keep your family healthy, visit our office today.