Many people regularly suffer from bleeding gums, whether from brushing their teeth or randomly throughout the day. Because it can happen frequently, you may think it is normal and therefore not worth asking your dentist or doctor about. However, bleeding gums can be a sign of an underlying problem, so it is best to mention it in your next appointment if you suffer from bleeding gums.
Best Ways to Stop Bleeding Gums
Your gums may be bleeding due to several causes, such as brushing too vigorously with the wrong type of toothbrush, injuries to the gums, and pregnancy.
Bleeding gums, along with redness, swelling, and sensitivity to your gums, may be signs of periodontal disease (gum disease) like gingivitis and periodontitis. This is why it is crucial to make an appointment with a dentist who can identify the underlying problem, after which you can continue with the following tips for stopping gums bleeding.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Oral and dental hygiene is vital for many reasons, from maintaining a good, healthy appearance in your teeth to preventing bacteria from building up and causing bad breath, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
When plaque is left to build up along your gum line due to not being cleaned effectively or frequently enough, the bacteria in the plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. You should always aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day and remember to clean your tongue as well, as it can also harbour damaging bacteria. You should also keep up with your regular cleanings with your dentist, as they can remove plaque from places that are hard to reach with just a toothbrush.
Rinse Your Mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide
In dentistry, hydrogen peroxide has been used for many years to relieve minor gingivitis, soreness, and more. Using a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can effectively help you manage the bacteria levels in your mouth to prevent periodontal disease and local infections from oral bacteria entering an area that is bleeding and exposed to infection.
Hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes also leave behind a broad range of antimicrobial substances that continue to protect you throughout the day.
Stop Smoking
As well as heart disease and cancer, smoking can increase your chances of developing gum disease. Smoking is acidic and contains many harmful chemicals that damage your teeth and gums while restricting circulation so nutrients can’t get to damaged sites in the body as easily for optimal healing.
Smoking also lowers the immune system and prevents it from responding quickly to any gum infections you may get. To improve your gums’ health and stop bleeding gums, consider quitting smoking and speak with your doctor about ways that you can stop.
Reduce Stress Levels
Emotional stress harms your immune system, slowing it down and preventing it from responding to periodontal disease. Additionally, if you are regularly stressed, you are more likely not to use effective oral hygiene practices, leading to bleeding gums, plaque build-up, and gum disease.
Using Mouthwash
Mouthwashes are excellent for treating bleeding gums and preventing them from happening in the first place. While we have covered hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes already, you can also look for mouthwashes containing either alcohol or chlorohexidine.
Using Ice
Ice may be your best option for quick relief if you suffer from bleeding gums. You can hold a cold compress, ice cube, or ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes at a time, with 10-minute breaks in between. The cold temperatures will help stop the bleeding and soothe any pain and inflammation you are experiencing.
Using the Right Toothbrush
Toothbrushes come with different bristle types, such as soft, medium, and hard bristles. Soft bristle brushes are the best option for virtually everyone, especially if you brush vigorously or for longer-than-usual lengths of time.
Harder bristles can cause your gums to start bleeding, and repetitive gum trauma from hard bristles can lead to further problems such as a receding gum line. Speak to your dentist about which toothbrush is right for you.
Eating Crunchy Vegetables
Crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery can help clean your teeth between meals. Additionally, they are an excellent replacement for snacks containing lots of sugar, fats, and other substances that contribute to poor gum health and bleeding gums.
Avoiding Processed and Sugary Foods
Eating lots of processed, sugary foods high in starch and fats will negatively affect your oral health and can lead to bleeding gums, tooth decay, and more. Starchy foods such as cakes, biscuits, and potato chips also stick to your teeth, where they begin to break down and release more sugars, increasing the number of bacteria in your mouth and, therefore, your chances of developing bleeding gums and periodontal disease.
Healthy Gums, Healthy Smile
Although it is reasonably common throughout Australia, you should never overlook bleeding gums as they can be a sign of bad oral health or underlying problems such as periodontitis and gingivitis. To prevent bleeding gums now and into the future, try brushing your teeth twice a day, regularly use mouthwash, improve your diet, reduce stress, and check that you are using the right toothbrush.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding throughout the day or as a result of brushing, then make an appointment with our trusted team at Boon Dental so that we can make sure that your bleeding gums are not a symptom of a deeper issue.