The Reason Your Gums Are Bleeding

You probably know how important it is to remove plaque and you’ve probably heard that you should brush and floss every day—but do you know why?

Sadly, plaque can lead to a variety of problems. Not removing plaque well enough could lead to gum disease, irritated gums, sensitive teeth, and damage to the jawbone. Unfortunately, the issues don’t stop in your mouth.

Plaque buildup can lead to overall health problems, including heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes, cancer, erectile dysfunction, and dementia. To avoid these problems, it’s extremely important to remove plaque from your smile. This means you’ll have to floss thoroughly every day.

But what do you do if your gums bleed? In reality, bleeding gums can be caused by any of several factors. For instance, bleeding gums can be an indicator of gum disease. Fortunately, with good, consistent oral care—and a professional cleaning—this issue could clear up on its own. However, if gum disease reaches advanced stages, a dentist may need to offer you other solutions.

Of course, there are also other reasons your gums could be bleeding. For instance, your toothbrush could be the culprit. Similarly, the problem could be that your toothbrush is simply too hard. You see, if your bristles are too hard you could actually be damaging your gums. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this problem—just buy a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles.

You may also deal with bleeding gums if you are taking medications that reduce clotting. If this is the case, speak to your dentist for specific help. Similarly, if you’ve just started flossing, your gums may bleed for a little while. However, if the bleeding doesn’t stop within a week, please contact our dentist.

If you would like to learn more—or are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Gilbert Fernandez— please feel free to contact Gilbert Fernandez, DDS, Inc. at 505-898-8063.