Top 5 Prevention and Treatment Tips for Bleeding Gums

When we go to the dentist for our annual checkup, one thing that we don’t want to hear is that our gums are bleeding. The reason why is because it’s usually a sign that we have some form of gum disease which can cause all kinds of issues such as receding gum lines, bad breath and if it’s left untreated, it can even lead to us losing a few teeth.

So, in the effort to help you prevent from experiencing bleeding gums, and to also assist you should you already have them, we’ve provided our top five tips for dealing with bleeding gums below.

Know who’s at risk. Although the main cause of gum disease is directly attributed to poor hygiene, that doesn’t mean that you should overlook some of the things that can make you vulnerable. The individuals who tend to be the most at risk are the elderly, those who take anti-depressants and oral contraceptives, those battling with stress and there are even some individuals who are genetically predisposed to being diagnosed with gum disease. If any of these factors apply to you, it’s definitely something that you should discuss with your dentist.

Brush and floss your teeth after every meal. As we previously mentioned, another huge contributing factor to gum disease is plaque and tartar buildup. And so, the best way to keep bleeding gums from occurring is to make sure that you brush and floss your teeth after every meal. In selecting your toothbrush, just make sure that it is small-headed and has small bristles. That will prevent mild abrasions from occurring along your gum line as you’re brushing your teeth.

Use the right toothpaste and mouthwash. If you already have bleeding gums, something that’s important to do is make sure that you brush your teeth with the best kind of toothpaste to treat gum disease. According to many dentists, that would be a toothpaste that contains fluoride but does not have any sodium lauryl sulfate in it. Also try to follow it up with a mouthwash that’s specifically made to treat bleeding gums like The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse. You should start to see a noticeable improvement in a few days if you do.

Eat right. Did you know that a poor diet is another reason why many people contract gum disease? If you want to take care of your gums “from the inside out”, something else that you should do is make sure that you eat foods that are rich in calcium and other vitamins and minerals. Cheese, yogurt, apples, pears, celery, raisins and even sesame oil are all foods that are great for treating gum disease that you might already have and also for maintaining a healthy mouth in between your dental visits.

Don’t smoke. If you were to consult with a dental office like Pike Dentistry about what you can do to prevent bleeding gums, one thing that they would definitely recommend is that you stop smoking. Tobacco, over time, can lead to tooth discoloration, bad breath, plaque buildup, bone loss and chronic forms of gum disease so definitely keep kick the smoking habit. For more information on how to prevent bleeding gums, make an appointment to see your dentist every six months.