Is It Normal For My Gums To Bleed After Brushing? - Memphis Dentist

Is It Normal for My Gums to Bleed After Brushing?

If you've ever experienced gum bleeding after brushing or flossing your teeth, it's normal to be slightly concerned. However, a little bleeding isn’t necessarily a sign of a detrimental oral issue. There are a number of reasons why your gums might bleed after brushing — in this blog, we'll highlight some common causes of gum bleeding and suggest ways to prevent it.

What Can Cause My Gums to Bleed After Brushing?

Not sure what's causing your gums to bleed after you complete your oral hygiene routine? Consider the following reasons:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Brushing or flossing too hard
• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications

Poor Dental Hygiene

Poor dental hygiene is one of the most common causes of bleeding after brushing or flossing. Forgetting to brush and floss on a daily basis can lead to increased bacteria in the mouth, which makes your gums red, inflamed, and prone to bleeding.

Brushing or Flossing Too Hard

While you may be trying your hardest to keep your smile clean, you may be trying a little too hard. Brushing or flossing your teeth with too much force can cause your gums to bleed, or sometimes, even bruise. This is especially true if you use a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard. You may think that by using a toothbrush with a harder bristle, you're cleaning your teeth more thoroughly — but, this is often not the case. Hard toothbrushes can lead to inflamed gums, bleeding, and even gum loss. We always recommend a soft bristle toothbrush for our patients at the Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

Gingivitis

Bleeding gums can also be a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque buildup at your gum line, leading to inflammation of the gums. The good news is, gingivitis is treatable and preventable by thoroughly brushing and flossing on a daily basis, as well as receiving professional cleanings from your dentist.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is caused by progressing, untreated gingivitis. Periodontitis is a long-term problem, and it can severely impact the tissue and bones in your mouth that support your teeth. This disease can even cause your gums to pull away from your teeth! If you have any symptoms of periodontitis, including red, inflamed, or sensitive gums, contact your dentist immediately.

Pregnancy

About 40% of pregnant women will develop what is known as "pregnancy gingivitis" at some point, typically between the second and eighth month of their pregnancy. This phenomenon is caused by hormonal changes — particularly, the increase of progesterone, which makes your gums more sensitive to plaque. Some signs of pregnancy gingivitis include slight bleeding of the gums when you brush, and red, inflamed gums.

Certain Medications

There are certain medicines that can cause an increase in gum bleeding. These can include prescription blood thinners, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers, like Aspirin. If you have any concerns about the medications you are taking and their effect on your oral health, call your doctor.

How to Prevent and Treat Bleeding Gums

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

In a lot of cases, you can treat and prevent gum bleeding by simply improving your daily oral hygiene. Make sure to brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, as well as floss at least once a day. It’s also important to make sure you're going to regular dental appointments to get a checkup and professional cleaning.

Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide

You've probably used hydrogen peroxide to disinfect a cut or scrape — but, did you know you can also use it as a mouth rinse after brushing? Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to reduce inflammation, bleeding of the gums, and helps fight gingivitis! Swish a little around your mouth after you brush and floss, as you would with mouthwash, and make sure to spit it out afterward.

Increase Your Intake of Vitamins C and K

While you may think diet has little impact on oral health, eating foods rich in Vitamins C and K can actually help prevent your gums from bleeding. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system, which helps prevent gum infections that can cause inflammation and bleeding. Vitamin K helps your blood to clot, so a deficiency can lead to your gums easily bleeding after brushing or flossing. Some foods that are high in Vitamin C or Vitamin K include:

• Citrus fruits
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Avocados
• Blueberries

Schedule an Appointment With Your Dentist

If your gum bleeding doesn’t improve after a week, or worsens, it's time to call your dentist. They'll check for any underlying problems and will most likely want to do a deep cleaning in order to remove any plaque buildup from your teeth and gumline.

Call The Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

The Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is here for you to help keep your smile beautiful and healthy. Call us or fill out our online form to request an appointment. We can help you figure out the root cause of your gum bleeding and come up with a plan to stop it.

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