When your gums bleed, such as when you brush your teeth, this can happen for different reasons. Knowing what might cause bleeding gums can help you determine when you should see a Shelburne dentist about this problem. Keep the following information about bleeding gums in mind.
Causes of Bleeding Gums
Your gums might bleed if you brush your teeth too roughly or if you’re not brushing them the right way. If you scrub your teeth hard with your toothbrush, this can end up irritating or even damaging your gums. Moving your toothbrush in a circular motion and brushing gently can help prevent this from happening.
Your gums can also bleed if you use a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard. These types of toothbrushes can cause gum irritation, including bleeding, especially if you’re also brushing roughly. Switching to a toothbrush with medium or soft bristles can help stop this cause of bleeding gums.
Just as brushing the wrong way can hurt your gums, so can flossing. If you floss your teeth quickly or roughly, you might cut into your gums, which causes bleeding to occur. Over time, this can also cause your gums to recede. When you floss, you should gently move the floss up and down along the side surfaces of each tooth.
If you’ve been brushing and flossing correctly and your gums bleed, you might have gum disease. This type of disease is a common cause of bleeding gums. Gum disease often starts out as gingivitis or gum inflammation, which causes redness to occur. If you don’t have this treated, it can progress to gum disease or periodontal disease. This type of disease can end up resulting in tooth loss and raise your risk of having other health problems, such as cardiovascular problems. Your risk of potentially serious infections can also increase when you have untreated or advanced gum disease. In addition to bleeding gums, you might also have swollen gums, receding gums and loose teeth.
When to See a Dentist
If you think you might have bleeding gums due to gum disease, you should schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. This helps ensure that you receive treatment for this condition to prevent it from getting worse. Even if your bleeding gums aren’t caused by gum disease, you should still plan on seeing a dentist to have your teeth and gums examined and cleaned. A thorough dental cleaning and exam can help prevent dental problems, including gum disease, and keep your teeth and gums in good shape. During these visits, dentists can also give you tips on the proper ways to brush and floss your teeth to protect your gums from damage.
Contact Our Shelburne Dentist to Schedule an Appointment
If you have bleeding gums or other signs of gum problems, please contact Shelburne Village Dental to set up an appointment. Our dentist can check your teeth and gums and provide you with proper care and treatment.
