Bleeding gums is a sign that something is wrong. Your gums should be a light pink color, and they shouldn’t bleed when you brush them. However, there are numerous reasons for bleeding gums. If you are dealing with gums that bleed, here are some of the most common causes and what you can do to treat them.

Brushing Too Hard

If you brush too hard, you can make your gums bleed. You don’t have to push down on your brush very hard to get your teeth and gums clean. If you aren’t sure whether or not you are brushing too hard, take a look at the bristles on your toothbrush. They shouldn’t be pushed out to the side. If they are, then you need to be more gentle when you are brushing your teeth. 

Improper Flossing

It is highly recommended that you floss your teeth daily. If you don’t floss enough, your gums will bleed when you floss or brush your teeth. Even if you floss daily, you may be flossing incorrectly. You shouldn’t jerk the floss between your teeth and gums. By doing so, you can injure your gums and make them bleed. Be gentle when you floss. Take it slow, and don’t try to rush it. Improper flossing is one of the most common reasons for bleeding gums. 

Gum Disease

Bleeding may be caused by gum disease. This is often caused by a lack of good oral hygiene. If you suspect that you have gum disease, it’s possible to treat the problem by brushing and flossing your teeth more often. Gum disease may require further treatment beyond just improving your oral hygiene habits. You should see a dentist and get a proper diagnosis from an oral examination. 

How to Manage and Treat Bleeding Gums

Fortunately, you can manage and treat bleeding gums. Pay close attention to your oral hygiene habits. Are you brushing and flossing your teeth enough? If you are, make sure you are using your toothbrush and floss properly. If you change your brushing habits and still notice that your gums bleed, then you need to see your dentist so that they can determine why your gums are bleeding. If you have gum disease, then you may need a deep-cleaning or an oral medication to treat it.

In conclusion, healthy gums shouldn’t bleed. If you find that your gums are bleeding after you brush or floss, please visit us at Mountain View Dental. We will do a thorough oral examination so that we can determine what the cause is for your bleeding gums. Whether it be from poor oral hygiene habits or gum disease, we can help you get your oral hygiene where it needs to be so that your gums will no longer bleed. Don’t put off giving us a call today to set up an appointment. The longer you wait to treat your bleeding gums, the worse they will get over time.