Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush? Find Out Five Potential Reasons
It can be very alarming to look down at your toothbrush and see that there is blood there. If this happens once in a blue moon, it likely not something to be concerned about, but if it happens on a regular basis then it is definitely worth talking to a dentist about. Learn five reasons your gums could be bleeding and then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.
- You Might Have Gum Disease
- Tobacco Use Can Cause Gum Bleeding
- Your Diet and/or Nutrition
- Medications
- Pregnancy
The most common reason that a person’s gums are bleeding is that they have gum disease. No one wants to hear this, but the good news is that if you go to your dentist right away, we can likely treat it very easily. In fact, if you come early enough, all that is required is a few tweaks to your at-home oral care.
On the other hand, if the infection is serious then significant intervention might be required. This can include deep pocket treatment, pulled teeth, root canals, and other treatments. Note that this is a very common disease – three out of four adults will eventually develop it – and there is no reason it needs to get this bad. We are here to help no matter how far it has progressed.
There’s no question that just about anyone who smokes or otherwise uses tobacco knows that they are putting themselves at risk. What they might not realize is that using any type of tobacco can cause sensitive gums and even bleeding. The worst-case scenario is that it can cause oral cancer, though tobacco can lead to everything from sores to gum disease.
You might have heard about sailors taking loads of citrus on their ships with them to avoid scurvy. This is because citrus is high in vitamin C, and without it, their teeth were falling out. There are other minerals you could be missing that could negatively impact your gums, such as magnesium, vitamins C and D, and calcium. If you are low on any of these, they could be causing your bleeding gums.
There are some medications that can impact a person’s gums indirectly. For example, if you have a medication that gives you dry mouth, then that means you are not getting enough saliva. Silva is important for your overall oral health and without it, your gums might not be as protected as they should be.
Many people have no idea that gum disease is extremely common for people who are pregnant. Just how common? More than half of all people who are in their second trimester will have developed gum disease. If you are pregnant, it is more important than ever to take care of your teeth and gums.
