What Causes Bleeding Gums?

If you've ever noticed a bit of pink or red on your toothbrush after a good brushing, you may simply be brushing a bit too hard. However, if you are noticing any type of gum bleeding during the day or after a normal brush, you may have a cause for concern. Generally, bleeding gums are caused when plaque is inadequately removed from teeth. When plaque is left around the edges of teeth for long periods of time, gums can become irritated and inflamed. The germs within the plaque will start to pick at the healthy tissue of the gums, causing them to bleed. The medical term for bleeding gums is called gingivitis and is a precursor for gum disease.

Bleeding gums is not something to take lightly as it can turn into something incredibly serious very quickly. Increased plaque build-up is usually caused by poor oral health hygiene. When plaque is not adequately taken care of with daily brushing it will cause your gums to recede and separate from your teeth. This leads to small pockets that start to exist between your teeth and gums. It's easy for additional plaque and germs to get stuck in these pockets and further exacerbate the problem. If gingivitis goes unchecked, it can lead to increasingly serious oral conditions such as loose teeth and tooth loss.

Brushing And Flossing

The first thing you need to do at the sign of bleeding gums is to take better care of your mouth. This means that brushing twice a day is mandatory. You should also floss as often as possible. Plaque is the remnants of food that gets stuck in your mouth; flossing helps to eliminate those pesky particles before they can form into bacteria-laden plaque. Flossing is a great tool to help rid your teeth of the plaque that builds around your gums. Often times, toothbrush bristles are unable to reach exactly the places that they should in order to get all the build-up that settles around teeth. Flossing gets down in crevices and areas not easily reached by a toothbrush.

Also, incorporate some type of rinsing practice into your oral hygiene regimen. Any natural-based mouthwash is preferred. It can be rubbed on the gums after a thorough brush and flossing is completed.

Things like clenching and grinding your teeth can also cause your gums to bleed. If you tend to suffer from anxiety or worry, sometimes clenching your teeth can be a coping mechanism you've adopted. This essentially irritates and loosens the teeth which can cause pain and bleeding. Try to steer clear of this practice as your teeth and oral care will only suffer because of it. Using some type of protection for your teeth, a mouth guard for example, is suggested. 

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Reviewed By:    

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.