If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, it could be due to a number of factors one of these being a buildup of plaque which can then irritate your gum leading to redness, bleeding and inflammation.
Bleeding gums can also be caused by over-brushing or brushing too hard, some medications or even a new toothbrush and flossing routine. However, overall, you shouldn’t be concerned about bleeding of the gums as it is completely common!
If you are suffering from gum disease and need dental advice, Manor House Dental offers many dental services that are in place to help those with their dental needs. For instance, our general dentistry allows you to have a one-to-one check-up with one of our dentists that can highlight any issue you may have and help you treat it.
Feel free to book a dental appointment with us!
Bleeding When Brushing Teeth
The best thing to do is speak to your dentist as soon as possible if your gums bleed when brushing. They will be able to conduct a thorough examination of your oral hygiene and give you relevant advice for your bleeding to stop.
However, there are a few slight tweaks you can make to your oral routine to minimise problems and your gums from bleeding.
Some of these are:
- Brush your teeth twice daily for a minimum of two minutes.
- Using a toothbrush with a small head and soft round bristles, paying most attention to the gum line.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas, like between your teeth.
- Visit your dentist regularly to allow them to highlight any further issues you may have.
Your oral hygiene may be really good however, it is still possible for some plaque in hard-to-reach places to turn into tartar. This leads to gum problems increasing with age.
This displays how vital it is to apply the steps mentioned above into your daily routine to help lower the chances of plaque buildup, tartar and bleeding.
How Long Does It Take For Bleeding Gums To Heal?
Bleeding should stop anywhere between 3-10 days if gums are treated properly. It is also important to make sure you floss regularly to help heal your gums.
If the plaque between your teeth has mineralised and becomes stuck, you’ll need to visit your dentist urgently. There’s only so much you can do when possibly dealing with tartar.
Blood When Brushing Teeth But No Pain
Whether you feel pain or not when brushing. Bleeding should never be ignored. If your gums bleed when you brush, it is possible that you may have gum disease. This can lead to bad breath to inflamed and receding gums and eventually tooth loss.
A condition called gingivitis becomes present once plaque builds up at the gum line. Plaque that isn’t removed will gradually harden and turn into tartar causing irritation. This will lead to increased bleeding.
What Deficiency Causes Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums may be a signal of low vitamin C in your diet. Low vitamin C levels in the bloodstream are associated with an increased risk of gum bleeding. Increasing the intake of vitamin C can help resolve the problem.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults in the UK aged 19 -64 is 40mg. Increasing intake can help minimise chances of continuous bleeding of gums.
There are a few ways in which you can ensure you get your daily Vitamin C intake.
A few good sources of Vitamin C are the following:
- Citrus fruit such as – oranges and orange juice
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Blackcurrant
- Brussel sprouts
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
Here at Manor House Dental, we have a team of specialists that have adequate knowledge and experience to deliver the appropriate advice on how to treat any of your dental problems to do with bleeding gums.
Bleeding Gums FAQs
Is It Normal For Gums To Bleed When Brushing Teeth?
- Yes – bleeding gums is completely normal. Luckily enough it is typically not that serious either. One may experience bleeding after brushing or flossing which can affect sensitive gums. Tartar buildup is a key factor in bleeding gums and it is caused by a growth of bacteria at the gumline.
Can Your Period Make Your Gums Bleed?
- Due to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, some women experience oral changes: red swollen gums, swollen salivary glands or bleeding gums. When hormone levels are high, women are more sensitive to the presence of plaque and bacteria.
Should I Brush My Teeth If My Gums Bleed?
- When gums bleed it is an indication of plaque buildup, the only way to remove plaque is to brush your teeth to make the bleeding stop.
What Does Gingivitis Look Like?
- Gingivitis can cause gums to become a dusky red colour, swell and bleed easily especially when brushing your teeth. A key sign of gingivitis is swollen and puffy gums. Healthy gums are the opposite, firm and fitted around the teeth with a pale pink colour.