When brushing teeth, you might notice a bit of redness or bleeding around your gums. While tempted to ignore these signs, bleeding gums is an early sign of gum disease according to the Cancer Association of South Africa. Thus, if you notice some blood when you brush or floss, it is essential that you see a dentist. The bleeding is due to inflammation in the gums caused by build-up plaque or overly vigorous brushing. Plaque contains germs which attach the healthy tissue around the teeth. This will cause the gums to become inflamed, irritated which may cause them to bleed when brushing or flossing.
How to stop bleeding gums
1. Eat a Healthier Diet
Improving your diet can go a long way toward improving your oral health and stopping bleeding gums. A diet full of whole foods, such as vegetables and fruits, gives your gums the nutrients they need. If your diet is packed with nutritionally deficient, sugary foods, such as sweets. Cold drinks, and refined breads, your gums aren't getting the nutrition they need to stay healthy and intact.
2. Improve Your Dental Care Routine
Taking good care of your mouth at home can also help stop bleeding gums. Brushing and flossing regularly removes bacteria from the mouth that can inflame your gums, and using the right devices and brushing properly can also help improve the overall health of your mouth and defend against periodontal disease as stated by Health Group. For example, a medium or firm-bristled toothbrush can be damaging to the gums when pressure is applied during toothbrushing. Instead, choose a soft-bristled brush. Brush gently, using short strokes, to effective brush the teeth and gum line.
3. Relax
If you're always on the go or always up against a deadline, the amount of stress in your life could be causing your gums to bleed. High levels of stress can affect your oral health in a number of ways. First, stress increases inflammation in your body, which makes your gums more likely to bleed. Too much stress also reduces your immune system's functionality, making it more difficult for your body to fight infection and to heal.
When you're stressed out, you're also less likely to take good care of yourself. That might mean you skip brushing or flossing or choose to eat fast food instead of a balanced meal. Reduce stress in your life by learning to say no to projects when you have too much on your plate and by taking a few minutes to breathe in and out when you start to feel overwhelmed.
4. Quit Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your health. Along with increasing your risk for certain cancers and heart disease, it plays a big role in the development of gum disease, according to the South African Academy of Periodontology. The toxins in tobacco smoke keep your gums from getting the nutrition that they need, and can lead to inflammation. Quitting can be tough, but it's one of the most important things to do if you want to protect your oral and overall health.
5. Stop Sharing
Gum disease and bleeding gums are contagious. If your partner has a lot of bacteria in his or her mouth, then you're likely increasing your risk for gum problems. Avoid sharing anything that comes into contact with another person's mouth, from toothbrushes to water glasses.
Seeing your dentist for an examination and teeth cleaning on a regular basis is essential to putting an end to bleeding gums and to treating gum disease before it becomes a major issue. If it's been a while since you've seen your dentist and you've noticed a bit of blood when you brush, make an appointment today. Getting the issue diagnosed and making the necessary changes will help improve the health of your mouth considerably.
When to see a doctor
When you have tried the natural home remedies and the change of lifestyle and habits. After the change of diet, if in about a week's time, no positive change or significant change in health of gums has occurred, it is advisable to make an appointment and go for a dental visit to get prescribed medication and professional help.
