Brushing twice a day isn’t just good practice, it helps preserve your oral hygiene in the short and long-term, so that you can have a brilliant smile for years to come. For many, they worry when in the course of their brushing, their gums begin to bleed. This leads to asking themselves why their gums are bleeding, even though they are taking proper care of their dental hygiene. Below, we’ll detail a few reasons why gums bleed from the common and every day to the serious.
Overly aggressive brushing and flossing
We’ve all been there, a bad day at work, a discussion gone wrong with a spouse, or daily frustrations somehow put us in a bad mood. Sometimes, that translates to overly aggressive brushing and flossing that mean you bear down on your teeth harder than you intended to. These brush strokes and flossing can cause your gums – which are naturally sensitive – to bleed and quickly recover. While not advisable, this is not likely to do long term damage to your gums. It is also entirely preventable.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and often leaves gums swollen, puffy, and tender. This leads to blood when brushing or flossing at a regular pace and is often a warning sign that you should see a dentist. Gingivitis is reversible given the proper treatment. If you think gingivitis may be the reason your gums bleed, you should contact New Hyde Park Dental immediately so you can begin treatment before it progresses into gum disease.
Medication
Sometimes, the reason why gums bleed is unavoidable. Some medications, such as blood thinners, make gums more susceptible to bleeding. While this isn’t a cause for concern, make sure to mention any medications – especially blood thinners – that you’re taking during your next visit with your dentist or dental hygienist.
Pregnancy gingivitis
In some cases, women who are pregnant may experience swollen and sensitive gums that bleed while brushing normally. This “pregnancy gingivitis” as it’s known should be mentioned to your dentist, so you can do as much as you can to protect your gums. Ensuring you continue to floss and brush can help make sure any damage does not worsen.
If you have any questions as to why your gums bleed, call our New Hyde Park office today to make an appointment and ensure that you’re on the right course of treatment.
