Generally, gingivitis, bad oral hygiene, aggressive brushing, and other hormonal changes can cause bleeding in the mouth when brushing your teeth. The initial step of your oral hygiene practice is to brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss to eliminate plaque. Use antimicrobial mouthwash and ensure that you eat a balanced diet. Please do not take gum bleeding too lightly as this may indicate a more serious disease.
Now, let us take a deep look at this.
Understanding Bleeding Gums
Gingival bleeding (i.e. bleeding gums) is a common oral health condition that might be very disturbing. It could be caused by the inflammation of the gums, which is a process of plaque production. The causes of gingivitis may be inadequate oral hygiene, hard scrubbing, hormonal changes, and systemic diseases.
Gingivitis: Periodontitis is the first and one of the most common stages of gum disease. The process is called dental plaque which is a sticky film of bacteria built up on your teeth. The plaque that is not removed through proper hygiene techniques such as brushing and flossing would cause irritation and bleeding of the gums.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Brushing at the same time and not being attentive to flossing may cause plaque and residue of food on and between your teeth which leads to gum inflammation and bleeding.
Aggressive Brushing: Brushing your teeth with hard strokes or using toothbrushes with hard bristles can harm the soft and sensitive gum tissue which causes it to bleed.
Medications: A few drugs, for instance, blood thinners, they can make the gums start bleeding more.
Hormonal Changes: The hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy and puberty can enhance the gums’ tendency to bleed, which causes them to be more sensitive.
Steps to Take if Your Gums Bleed When Brushing
Evaluate Your Oral Hygiene Routine: You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Utilize a toothbrush with soft bristles and a circular movement to clean the teeth and gums.
Check Your Technique: Avoid hard brushing or use more pressure than required. With your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, gently brush in a circular motion.
Use Proper Tools: An instance of this could be a switch from a manual toothbrush to an electric one, which is more effective in removing plaque and food residue without a lot of brushing movements.
Floss Regularly: Flossing is not just for the gaps between the teeth and removing the food particles; it is also very helpful in the reduction of gum inflammation and bleeding along the gumline.
Rinse with Mouthwash: A mouthwash with antimicrobial features is a good choice for removing plaque, bacteria, and other harmful elements from the mouth.
Stay Hydrated: The amount of water one consumes is an important means to keep food particles and bacteria flushed out and, subsequently, to decrease the risks of plaque accumulation.
Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet that promotes oral health and consists of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins is a good strategy to reduce the risk of gum diseases.
Quit Smoking: Smoking is the prime cause of gums bleeding and it is one of the major factors in the development of periodontal disease.
When to Seek Professional Help
A dentist provides a comprehensive dental examination, identifies the problems, and develops a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will guide you as to which treatment will be the best.
Professional Cleaning: The dental hygienist can successfully clean all the areas of your mouth including removing plaque and tartar thus preventing inflammation and bleeding.
Scaling and Root Planing: The case of gum diseases, which are more complicated, requires a deep cleaning technique known as scaling and root planing.
Medication: If your dentist considers this situation exceptionally severe, he or she may prescribe antibiotics or antimicrobial rinses to help you fight bacterial infection and inflammation.
Lifestyle Changes: Your dentist may ask you to make some adjustments to your lifestyle, such as improving your dental health care routine, giving up smoking, or managing your blood sugar level in case of diabetes.
Surgical Intervention: Sometimes we have a severe periodontal disease that can be treated by flap surgery or gum grafting which is both a surgical intervention that is required to bring the gums back to health and stop further tissue loss.
Conclusion
Bleeding gums when brushing can be a sign of underlying oral health issues such as gingivitis or gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing, applying the right brushing techniques, and visiting a dental clinic, when necessary, will be able to keep your teeth and gums healthy for years. We at Fitzwilliam Dental Care, our expert dentists can help you out and take care of your dental needs.