Albertville, AL
Have you ever noticed your gums bleed a little? Other than accidentally injuring the inside of your mouth, gums shouldn’t bleed. Many people experience what is called pink in the sink, which is when you see a little bit of blood mixed with saliva when you brush or floss your teeth. But just because it happens to a lot of people doesn’t make it normal. Ignoring bleeding gums could damage your oral health and lead to other dental problems like tooth loss. Today on the blog, our Albertville dentists share seven reasons why gums sometimes bleed and what you should do about it.
You’re brushing your teeth too hard
Have you ever paid attention to how you brush your teeth? Do you brush vigorously like you’re in a rush, gripping your toothbrush like you’re hanging on for dear life? Using improper brushing techniques or brushing too hard could actually damage your gums. Instead of scrubbing your teeth like you’re cleaning shower grout, slow down and maintain a gentle grip on the toothbrush. Avoid brushing with back-and-forth motions, and instead, brush using circular motions with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Also, brush for two minutes each time. An effective clean is about how long, not how hard you brush.
You aren’t using the right toothbrush
There are many different varieties of toothbrushes available, and it can be confusing to decide which one to purchase. Between different brands, colors, and prices, how can you know you’re choosing the right toothbrush? While funky colors can be fun, choosing a toothbrush is more about the type of bristles. For instance, check the packaging to ensure the bristles are soft or medium, not hard. Most people will get an effective clean using a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush. Keep the hard-bristle ones for a tougher job, like scrubbing your shower or sneakers!
You never floss
Ever heard the saying, ‘no pain, no gain?’ Well, flossing shouldn’t be painful, but it does toughen up your gums a little. Plus, flossing cleans between your teeth and removes bacterial and food particles that could irritate the gum tissue, causing an infection or bleeding. If your gums bleed when you brush, you should commit to flossing your teeth daily. Not only will they get used to it within a few days, but you’ll also notice fresher breath and improved oral health.
It’s a side effect of your medication
Certain medications can have unpleasant side effects. Dry mouth is common among patients taking medication for cancer treatments, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. Since you can’t stop those medications without direction from your doctor, you can manage your condition by amping up your oral hygiene routine and ensuring you get professional dental care regularly.
Your hormones are changing
Changing hormones can be to blame for inflamed, bleeding gums. Pregnancy gingivitis is common, although if not properly managed, it can lead to pregnancy risks like low birth weight for the baby or premature birth. It’s essential to receive necessary dental checkups and have good oral hygiene throughout your entire life, especially if you experience hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause.
Your dentures don’t fit right
Loose-fitting dentures or partial dentures can rub against the gum tissue and cause irritations that may lead to bleeding. Mouth sores are more likely to develop if your dentures don’t fit well. To remedy this problem, dentures can sometimes be relined or may need to be remade to ensure a proper fit.
You have an underlying health condition
Certain underlying health conditions like diabetes make bleeding gums more likely. Plus, if you neglect your teeth and gums and have diabetes, you’re more likely to have gum disease. Diabetics should practice good oral hygiene and see the dentist regularly to ensure healthy teeth and gums, which also helps stabilize blood glucose levels.
Family Dentists in Albertville
Gums shouldn’t bleed, but if they do, don’t ignore it! Bleeding gums could indicate a serious oral health condition that needs treatment from your dentist. To learn more or find out what’s causing your gums to bleed, call Wall Street Dentistry at (256) 878-0525 for a consultation.
