The mere sight of bleeding gums is sure to have you heading for a dentist near you. And while it’s a good idea to visit your dentist immediately to remedy a dental emergency, a little bleeding isn’t necessarily a sign of serious issues. In fact, there are actually many different reasons for bleeding gums.
To help put you at ease, we’ve put together a list of the most common reasons for bleeding gums. Hopefully, this information proves to be useful when it comes to helping you better take care of your oral health.
Brushing or Flossing Too Hard
People often notice bleeding gums after brushing their teeth or flossing. Usually, this might indicate that you’re brushing or flossing too hard. The toothbrush that you’re using might also be the culprit, as toothbrushes that have hard bristles can easily lead to bleeding gums.
To avoid this from happening, be very careful while you’re brushing your teeth. Alternatively, you can also opt to use an electric toothbrush that controls how hard you brush and will ensure that you’re not brushing too hard.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Speaking of brushing your teeth and flossing, poor oral hygiene can also cause bleeding gums. This is because failing to brush and floss regularly causes bacteria to thrive in your mouth. In the end, this will lead to many different gum complications.
These complications can then cause your gums to become red and inflamed, which makes them more susceptible to bleeding. Practicing good oral hygiene is a great way to prevent this, and be sure to brush your teeth after every meal and use the proper mouthwash.
Gum Disease
Oftentimes, bleeding gums can be a symptom of gum complications or gum disease. Gingivitis, in particular, can cause plaque buildup at your gum line, which then leads to inflammation and bleeding. If you find that your gums are often red and irritated, then the bleeding is most likely caused by gingivitis. Luckily, this condition is easily reversible as long as you take care of your oral health by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly.
If you let it get out of hand, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. This can cause more serious and long-term problems that will affect your gums and the bone that your teeth are situated on. In more extreme cases, periodontitis can also lead to you losing your teeth. If you find that your gums bleed rather easily, then it’s best to go pay your dentist a visit so that you can start getting the proper treatment for periodontitis.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can also lead to bleeding gums because women are prone to developing gingivitis anytime between the second and eight month of their pregnancy. Unlike the typical reasons for gingivitis, this isn’t caused by poor oral health. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes that make their gums more sensitive to plaque. These changes also make it so that bacteria are more likely to thrive, which makes bleeding gums incredibly common for pregnant women.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know that bleeding gums can be caused by many factors. Yet, it’s important that you understand the common reasons behind it so that you can attempt to remedy the issue before visiting your dentist. If your gums continue to bleed, despite your attempts to treat them via good oral health practices, then it’s time to visit your local dentist.
If you’re looking for a reliable dentist in Chattanooga, Shallowford Family Dental is the way to go. We’re rated number one when it comes to general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today to book an appointment!