Many people experience minor bleeding when they brush or floss their teeth, and, while this is somewhat common, it is an indication of an underlying problem and should be addressed. Sometimes, bleeding gums can be caused by brushing the teeth too aggressively, and adopting proper, gentle brushing habits can cause the bleeding to stop. Other times, bleeding gums can be caused by injury, hormone fluctuations like those that occur during pregnancy, or inflammation. When bleeding in the gums is caused by inflammation, it may be accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the gum tissue and can be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is most frequently caused by improper oral hygiene that results in an excessive accumulation of bacterial plaque and dental calculus on the teeth and at the gumline. Therefore, the best way to prevent the gums from bleeding is to practice effective oral hygiene habits. Proper oral hygiene requires twice-daily brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, along with flossing or other interdental cleaning at least once daily.

When gum tissue does bleed, the first step is to figure out the reason for the bleeding. Once you have determined the cause of bleeding in your gums, you can decide on the best solution to the problem. If your bleeding gums don’t improve within about a week, see your dentist; if gum disease is present, you and your dentist can discuss and plan treatment that will help your gums heal and preserve the overall health of the oral cavity. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with a diluted hydrogen peroxide and water solution when your gums bleed; this will disinfect the gum tissue, discourage bleeding, and reduce inflammation in the gum tissue. Many people also find relief from minor gingival bleeding by using salt water rinses to clean the oral cavity, and regular salt water rinses can help reduce bacteria and prevent bleeding. A simple solution of warm water with a small amount of salt can be used a few times a day. When gingival bleeding is caused by an injury to the gum tissue, salt water rinses also help the injury remain free of infection. Cold compresses applied to the outside of the face adjacent to the injury can also relieve pain and swelling and slow bleeding. Drinking green tea daily may also have beneficial antioxidant effects that reduce inflammatory responses and help stop bleeding gums.

If you smoke, talk to your doctor or dentist about smoking-cessation programs; severe gum disease is just one of the many treacherous diseases that is connected with smoking. There are also connections between emotional stress and gum disease, as emotional stress adversely affects the immune system and prevents the body from effectively fighting disease. Not only that, emotional stress can lead people to neglect their oral hygiene, compounding the problem. Eating a balanced diet that is low in carbohydrates and refined sugars helps keep plaque from colonizing on the teeth and causing disease, and a diet rich in vegetables and proteins provides the nutrients necessary to boost the immune system and strengthen all the body’s systems, including the gums and oral cavity.

Are Bleeding Gums Serious