Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush My Teeth? | Aspire Dental

Suddenly seeing blood can be a worrying sight no matter where it is coming from. If you discover you're bleeding, it is most often a sign that you have an injury or some sort of problem and you would usually take care to treat the wound or cause. If you discover bleeding from your gums, it should be taken no less seriously. For this reason, read on to find out more about why your gums might be bleeding when you brush your teeth.

One of the most common causes of bleeding from your gums is periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. This is usually caused by a build-up of plaque around your gums, which can result in infections if your overall dental hygiene is poor.

Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease, but the most advanced form is periodontitis, which can cause more gum sensitivity, gum recession, and even tooth loss if it's left untreated. For this reason, it's important that you don't ignore bleeding gums and that you make sure to regularly visit your dentist.

It might seem like you should stop brushing if your gums start to bleed, but the opposite is true! The best thing you can do if your gums show signs of bleeding or gum disease is to actually keep on brushing, even if it is uncomfortable.

It's important to get rid of the build-up of plaque or tar which is causing the problem, which will require you to be more vigorous and attentive with your brushing. You should also make sure to brush your teeth twice a day in order to keep them clean and free of bacteria.

As well as brushing your teeth twice a day, another thing you can do if you are prone to build-ups of plaque is to floss at least once per day. Lots of dentists recommend flossing as it's the best way to remove plaque from areas a toothbrush can't reach before it turns into tartar. You should be aware that it's normal to experience some bleeding if you've not flossed in a while, so you don't need to panic unless the bleeding lasts longer than a few minutes.