What to Do if Your Gums Bleed Every Time You Brush Your Teeth or Floss

It is not uncommon for a person to experience bleeding when they floss or brush their teeth. However, that does not mean that it is okay. The truth is that your gums should not be bleeding every time you floss. If they do, then you should contact your dentist to make an appointment. In the meantime, keep reading to learn what causes bleeding gums and what you may be able to do about it.

Potential Causes of Bleeding Gums

There are only a few reasons that your bums would bleed when flossing or brushing: They are inflamed, or they are diseased. Often one will lead to another. Often people assume that when they floss more often and the bleeding stops, this is because the gums have toughened up and gotten used to being flossed. This is inaccurate.

The truth is that your gums will stop bleeding when they are in better health. For most people, the first sign of the beginning type of gum disease (gingivitis) is bleeding gums. This is caused by food particles and bacteria building up at the gumline. Gum disease can cause bleeding when flossing, but do not let this make you stop flossing. Quitting will only cause more bacteria to buildup and make the problem worse.

How to Improve the Health of Your Gums

While we recommend visiting your dentist if you have gums that bleed on a regular basis, there are some steps you can take at home to help improve the health of your gums. First, make sure you are following a good oral health routine. This should involve flossing at least once per day and brushing at least twice per day.

While many people believe it is best to brush their teeth immediately after a meal, this is false. If you brush right after a meal, you may be brushing away the natural chemicals that come to protect your teeth. This could cause damage to your enamel. Instead, wait 20 or 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth. Always brush your teeth before going to bed.

Bleeding Gums Are a Warning Sign

The most important thing to understand about bleeding gums is that they are not the problem – they are a symptom. You do not want to simply get rid of the bleeding, you want to find out why they were bleeding and deal with that route cause. This is the only way you can count on long-term health for your gums.

If you are worried about the health of your teeth or gums, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 and make an appointment to come see a qualified dental professional who is ready to help you.