It is common for our gums to bleed when we brush our teeth, but it is not normal. Healthy gums do not bleed. There are several reasons why this happens, some more concerning than others. Let’s explain the causes of bleeding gums so you can decide if you need to visit your dentist or if you can solve the problem yourself.
Bleeding gums due to vigorous brushing
Sometimes we exert too much pressure on our gums when brushing our teeth, and the result is that we see blood on the toothpaste when we spit it out. This bleeding is caused by mechanical force, and the solution is as simple as not pressing so hard.
Remember that you should place the brush horizontally with respect to the gum line and at a 45-degree angle, so you can properly clean the area between the gums and teeth. You need to apply pressure to remove all the dirt, but this pressure should be gentle. Don’t forget about interdental spaces.
An electric toothbrush will make this operation much easier for you, as you only have to place it on your teeth and move it around your mouth. Electric toothbrushes automatically apply correct and constant pressure. Additionally, there are models that light up with a red light when you are applying too much pressure.
If your gums bleed for this reason, we recommend using this type of electric toothbrush to solve the problem.
Bleeding gums due to poor hygiene
Our mouth is full of bacteria that survive on the sugars we ingest when we eat. These bacteria convert these sugars into bacterial plaque in about 20 minutes. Poor brushing or oral hygiene can lead to the accumulation of bacterial plaque, which will turn into tartar if not removed.
Tartar adheres to the entire surface of the tooth, especially to the gum line, causing inflammation, redness, and bleeding. It has a yellowish color and can only be removed by a dental cleaning performed by a dentist.
Poor oral hygiene can be the reason why your gums bleed, so you just need to improve it to solve the problem. Remember: brush your teeth three times a day, use dental floss and mouthwash, and visit your dentist periodically to control the formation of tartar and cavities.
If your gums still bleed with brushing, seek the advice of a dentist, as you probably have some type of gingival disease.
Diseases that cause bleeding gums
The most common gum disease is gingivitis. It is more or less what we explained in the previous section: inflamed, swollen, and reddened gums that bleed during brushing or when eating hard foods, such as an apple.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to a more serious disease called periodontitis.
Periodontitis is the chronic inflammation of the tissues, ligaments, and bones that surround and support the teeth. It has several stages of severity, with the last one being tooth loss.
Don’t allow your mouth to reach this point. Periodontitis is a disease that cannot be cured, although its progression can be stopped. Our last piece of advice is that if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, contact a dentist and don’t let time go by. If you want us to study your case, please contact us.
You can make an appointment by calling us at 651826636.
We are located at Av. Artista Remigio Soler López, 9, 03560 Alicante, Spain.
Clínica dental de referencia en Alicante, especializada en tratamientos de estética dental, implantología y salud bucodental integral.
