Why do my gums bleed when I brush?

Bleeding gums! Why does it happen, what does it signify and how do I get rid of it?

tooth discoloration

 

If your gums bleed, probably the first time you noticed it was after brushing. You were about to spit the mixture of toothpaste and saliva when you saw a brownish/red color! That probably gave a big scare. why are my gums bleeding?

Gums start bleeding when they are puffy. Improper oral hygiene leads to inflammation of the gums. As a result of inflammation, gums get puffy and super sensitive to touch. The lightest touch can cause the gums to bleed. So when you are brushing, the touch of the toothbrush will instigate the bleeding. Your mouth is full of bacteria that are looking for an opportunity to cause damage. One other sign of bad oral hygiene is visible plaque on your teeth. Teeth color will start to change, and gum might get so puffy, that they will start overgrowing. That is specially likely to happen if you are in braces.  Once progressed enough, you teeth will look shorter because they are covered by your gums.

Remember, the general rule of thumb is, if you have bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose teeth, you have gum disease and you need to see a dentist.

Here are 7 things you should do if your gums are bleeding:

  1. Do not avoid brushing. Brushing will start bleeding, but it also helps remove the underlying factor. If you continue brushing and flossing regularly, bleeding will stop
  2. Do not miss your regular cleaning at the dentist. Your dentist will check your gums, and see if there is any plaque build up under the gums. Your dentist will be able to clean the build up under the gums, but you will not be able to do that at home.
  3. Avoid sugary food. Remember that the frequency of sugar intake is much important than the amount of sugar intake as far as the oral hygiene is concerned.
  4. If you are not getting good results with your manual toothbrush and see visible plaque left on your teeth after brushing, switch to an electric toothbrush.
  5. Consider orthodontic treatment. If teeth are too crooked, brushing can be difficult and you will not be able to get the job done no matter how hard you try.
  6. Do not forget flossing. Brushing alone will not do the job. A proper routine should include brushing and flossing both!
  7. Talk to your dentist about your bleeding gums. It could be a systemic problem!

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