Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

You may ignore bleeding gums when brushing or flossing your teeth as normal. Gum bleeding, on the other hand, suggests a more serious issue.

Bleeding in gums can result from a lot of things, namely brushing too forcefully, injury, pregnancy, and inflammation. Gum inflammation can create redness, soreness, and pain, but it can be an indication of gingivitis or periodontitis, two types of periodontal disease.

Inadequate plaque clearance can lead to this type of illness.

It’s important to figure out what’s causing your bleeding gums so you can get the best treatment. Once you’ve determined the source of the bleeding, you could choose from one of these few options for stopping it.

Before looking at the remedies, we will discuss the causes in detail.

Common Causes

  • Cleaning teeth rarely, or at least two times a day
  • Using a stiff or harsh toothbrush
  • Using a frayed, old toothbrush that is no longer usable in cleaning
  • Rather than delicately pushing dental floss down and hugging the sides of each tooth, use it roughly.
  • Using aspirin, blood thinners, or ibuprofen.
  • Experiencing gingivitis, or early phases of gum disease.

Preventing Gum Bleeding

Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene

Gum bleeding may be a sign of poor oral hygiene.

The gums get inflamed and bleed as plaque accumulates along your gum line. Plaque is a bacteria-filled slippery coating that forms on the surfaces of your teeth and gums. If you don’t brush or floss frequently enough, the germs can spread and lead to tooth decay or gum diseas

Brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss once a day to boost your oral hygiene. Here are some more suggestions for maintaining your teeth in good shape.

For pregnant women, good dental hygiene is especially crucial. Gum disease and bleeding gums can also be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Using Gauze as Support

You can gently stop the bleeding by pressing a clean, damp gauze against the affected area, just as they would for bleeding anyplace else on the body.

Carefully press the gauze against the wound until the blood stops pouring.

Gums that have been weakened by an illness or another medical issue might take a very long time to cease bleeding. Consult a dentist to determine the most effective approach to stop the blood flow.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is connected to gum disease in terms of increasing the risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In fact, in the United States, smoking is a leading cause of serious gum disease.

Smoking weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight plaque bacteria. Gum disease can result as a result of this.

Stopping smoking can benefit the healing of your gums and the reduction of bleeding. Check with your doctor about the best way to assist you in quitting smoking.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Mouthwash

As a disinfectant, you could perhaps want to keep hydrogen peroxide on hand. It also appears to be capable of removing plaque, promoting gum wellness, and preventing gum bleeding. Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide following brushing if your gums are bleeding, but don’t swallow it.

Gingivitis is a gum inflammation that can result in bleeding, inflammation, and gum recession. Some participants in the research were given a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse to see how efficient it was in reducing gingivitis and whitening.

The hydrogen peroxide washing group had less gum irritation than the control group, according to research.

Vitamin C Consumption Should Be Increased

Vitamin C-rich foods can boost your immune system and assist in the fight against gum infections, which can lead to bleeding gums.

On the other hand, if you have gum disease, not obtaining sufficient vitamin C in your diet can make it worse. Even if you exercise good oral hygiene, a vitamin C deficit might result in gum bleeding.

Vitamin C-dense foods include the following:

  • Oranges
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Red peppers
  • Carrots

You might also discuss taking a vitamin C supplement with your doctor. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that builds connective tissue and preserves the lining of your gums, so make sure you receive enough every day. The daily quantity of vitamin C suggested for people is between 65 and 90 milligrams per day.

Experiment With Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic medicinal technique that dates back thousands of years. It entails swishing a certain oil for up to 20 minutes in the mouth before spitting it out. Its supporters believe that it whitens teeth and improves dental health.

Although certain people find oil pulling beneficial, the American Oral Association (ADA) does not endorse it for dental hygiene due to a lack of scientific proof. Oil pulling, according to experts, cannot substitute for proper brushing and flossing.

Oil pulling appears to be more helpful than a placebo at controlling plaque levels in the mouth, according to some small-scale studies. For a week, the survey respondents washed their mouths with coconut oil for 10 minutes per day.

Oil pulling, according to the theory, pulls out bacteria from the mouth, whereas spitting out the oil destroys the bacteria. Coconut oil, for example, is used by certain people as it has antimicrobial characteristics.

Processed and Sugary Foods Should Be Avoided

Gingivitis and bleeding gums can be caused by eating too many starchy, processed foods.

Starchy meals can stick to your teeth and gums, causing sugar to form. This action can cause gum inflammation, bleeding, and a rise in tooth decay.

Processed bread, cakes, cookies, and potato chips are examples of starchy, processed foods.

When Should You See a Dentist?

If you notice improvements in their gums, teeth, or mouth, they should consult their dentist.

Gum soreness, redness, or bleeding should not occur daily. A dentist can evaluate for early-stage gum disease and other concerns if the problem occurs repeatedly or does not go away with basic oral hygiene habits.

If gum bleeding persists after 7 to 10 days, see a dentist. To eliminate plaque and tartar and encourage gum healing, you may require a deep tooth cleaning.

Your dentist may also request tests to see whether you have any vitamin deficiencies that are causing your gums to bleed.

In the End

You could cure bleeding gums with natural remedies in the majority of minor cases. By practicing appropriate oral health and treating any underlying causes, bleeding gums can be avoided in the future. If bleeding persists or becomes severe, see a dentist.

About the author

Johnny is dedicated to providing useful information on commonly asked questions on the internet. He is thankful for your support ♥

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