How to Get My Gums to Stop Bleeding
Do you have gums that lightly bleed when your brush or floss your teeth? While bleeding gums can sometimes indicate an underlying oral health problem, in most cases, the issue is not worthy of great concern. In fact, millions of American adults experience bleeding gums each year. Below is more information on what can cause bleeding gums and tips on how to get your gums to stop bleeding.
What Causes Bleeding Gums?
You may be surprised to hear that there are many possible causes for swollen and bleeding gums. A few of the most common causes of inflammation, tenderness, or bleeding gums include:
- Brushing or flossing too aggressively
- Accidental injury
- Pregnancy or hormone changes
- Periodontal disease or gum disease
Identifying the cause of bleeding gums is an important first step in determining the best treatment. If you recently noticed your gums are bleeding, you should focus on your daily brushing and flossing routine. However, it is important to make sure you are brushing lightly with a softer tooth brush. If the bleeding doesn’t stop and lasts for a few weeks, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to identify the cause of your bleeding and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
How to Stop Bleeding Gums
There is often a simple solution to help stop gums from bleeding. A few common solutions for tender and bleeding gums include:
- Good oral hygiene: Bleeding gums are often a symptom of poor oral hygiene. A buildup of plaque along the gumline can cause gums to become inflamed and bleed. Regular brushing and flossing are critical to stopping bacteria in the plaque from spreading and causing more dangerous tooth decay. Antimicrobial mouthwash: Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash can help remove plaque, promote gum health, and stop the gums from bleeding.
- Stop smoking: Smoking can contribute to the development of gum disease. Quitting smoking can help improve your gum health and help them heal.
- Reduce stress: Emotional stress can weaken the body’s ability to fight bacteria and infection. Stress may also create an obstacle to daily oral hygiene practices. Minimizing stress can help to improve gum health.
- Vitamin C and K intake: Vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system to fight off infections that cause irritated and bleeding gums. Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, sweet potatoes, red peppers and carrots. Vitamin K is a nutrient that helps the blood clot. If your diet is lacking Vitamin K it may cause your gums to bleed easily. Spinach, Kale, and collard greens are foods that are rich in Vitamin K.
- Salt water rinse: Regularly rinsing with warm salt water may help to reduce bacteria in the mouth. Adding a half of a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and rinsing your mouth for a few seconds three to four times a day will help improve the health of your gums and mouth.
When is it Time to See a Doctor?
If you notice your gums are bleeding regularly for more than 2 weeks, you should call your dentist. Once they conduct an oral exam, your dentist can help determine the cause of the bleeding and come up with the appropriate treatment plan.