What is Making Your Gums Bleed?

Finding blood on your toothbrush or in your sink after brushing or flossing your teeth can be alarming, but should you be concerned? There are many different causes of bleeding gums. Whenever you’re concerned about any symptom, don’t hesitate to speak to a dentist in Red Deer, but minor and temporary bleeding gums is not usually anything to panic about. Here’s an explanation of the four main causes of bleeding gums in Red Deer. 

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a minor form of gum disease that often causes bleeding gums and swollen and tender gum tissue. Gingivitis is caused by plaque on your teeth and along the edges of your gums that causes an infection of the gum tissues. Unlike the second stage of gum disease called periodontitis, gingivitis is easily reversed by renewing your commitment to oral hygiene and having your teeth cleaned thoroughly and regularly. 

Gingivitis may sound like a minor issue, and it often is. However, if you ignore it, gingivitis can progress to much more serious periodontitis. Research has also drawn an association between diabetes, strokes and heart conditions. If your bleeding gums are accompanied by swelling and tenderness, contact a dentist and ask about the appropriateness of receiving bleeding gums services near you. 

Medications

You should always let your dentist and their staff know about any medications that you are taking. Some can have side effects with implications for your dental care and health. Blood-thinning medications taken for heart disease, for example, can cause bleeding gums. If you’ve started new medication or your dosage of medications has changed, let your dentist know. 

Your dental hygiene habits

Your bleeding gums may be caused by overzealous brushing or flossing, or by brushing with an overly-firm toothbrush. Brushing and flossing thoroughly and regularly is far more important — and healthier — than brushing and flossing vigorously. Brush and floss thoroughly, but gently, and always use a soft-bristled toothbrush to minimize the risk of damaging your tooth enamel. Bleeding gums caused by overly harsh hygiene will often stop within a week after making changes to your hygiene habits.

If you’ve neglected your oral hygiene habits for a while but recently renewed them, we have two comments. First, congratulations! Regular oral hygiene is essential to good oral health. Second, watch for bleeding gums. Flossing regularly for the first time after not flossing regularly at all can sometimes cause bleeding gums. If that’s what’s behind your bleeding gums, that bleeding should stop within a week or so. If the bleeding persists beyond a week or so, get in touch with a dentist near you. 

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormone changes in a woman’s body affect the way her body reacts to the presence of bacteria in her body. Women who are pregnant may experience bleeding gums due to “pregnancy gingivitis” as a result of those changes to the way her body reacts to bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. Always let your dentist know if you are pregnant so the staff at a dental clinic near you can be aware of your increased risk of gingivitis and take all steps necessary to monitor and respond to the earliest signs of infection. 

Should you be alarmed by minor and temporary bleeding from your gums? No. There are many innocuous causes of minor and temporary bleeding. If that bleeding worsens rather than improves, persists for more than a week, or does not seem to be explained by any of the innocuous possible explanations, make an appointment with a dentist near you to get their advice and help. 


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