There are a variety of reasons for bleeding gums, but the primary cause is gum disease. If your gums appear swollen or look like they might be changing in color from a healthy pink to a deeper red, you need to address the condition of your gums. You might see a red tint on your toothbrush or even a suggestion of blood in the sink after you have finished brushing or flossing. There are a few treatments you can try at home to address your bleeding gums, but if the bleeding continues for longer than a week, it is wise to schedule an appointment for an exam. It is now quite possible that you have some stage of gum disease. To stop the gum disease and also reverse it, it is best to rely on the professional assistance of your dental team.
The Causes for Bleeding Gums
There can be a variety of sources for your bleeding gums, with the leading cause being gum disease. Here are some other common causes:
- By ignoring good, proper daily oral hygiene, you are allowing the continued buildup of damaging plaque on your teeth.
- You are irritating your gums by brushing too aggressively or using a stiff toothbrush.
- Irritating your gums by flossing too aggressively.
- An older and worn-out toothbrush is not effective in removing plaque.
- Certain medicines, like ibuprofen, aspirin, or blood thinners, accelerate gum bleeding.
- A pregnancy presents hormonal changes.
- A deficiency in vitamin C or K.
- Not paying attention to your eating habits.
- Managing and controlling diabetes.
- A lack of platelets will slow down clotting.
- Poorly fitting dentures will cause bleeding.
- Suffering from gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease.
Treatments at Home to Address Bleeding Gums
Here are a few suggestions to address your bleeding gums at home:
- Get rid of your stiff toothbrush and purchase a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Floss patiently and gently to avoid causing cuts and irritation.
- Remove constant excessive bacteria by rinsing your mouth with salt water.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash to also eliminate excessively damaging bacteria.
- Consider using a damp gauze pad.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce the swelling and slow down the blood flow.
- Try to avoid smoking because it has a direct correlation with gum disease.
- Cut down on processed and sugary foods because they also encourage plaque buildup.
Professional Treatment for Bleeding Gums
The easiest way to treat your bleeding gums with the best results is to just schedule an appointment with your dentist. A routine evaluation, including X-rays, can determine the cause of your bleeding gums. Oftentimes, it will be from gum disease. It is a frequent and primary source. Over half of all American adults above the age of thirty are dealing with some stage of gum disease.
If gum disease is the sole source, your dental team starts with professional teeth cleaning. This is an extremely common and popular treatment to remove plaque accumulation on your teeth by using a handheld dental scaler or a vibrating ultrasonic device. This plaque carries bacteria that, upon contact, immediately infect the gums. By removing this simple source of the infection, your gums will quickly begin to heal naturally, or your dentist might add an antibiotic to enhance your healing.