If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you might shrug it off. But it can indicate an underlying problem. Identifying it is key to determining the most appropriate treatment.
Factors like brushing too vigorously, injury, pregnancy, and inflammation can contribute to bleeding gums.
Gum inflammation can cause redness, swelling, and tenderness, and it can be a sign of periodontal disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Such disease can occur from inadequate plaque removal.
Once you know the cause of your bleeding gums, you can choose among these 10 possible ways to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding gums may be a sign of poor dental hygiene.
Gums become inflamed and bleed when there’s a buildup of plaque along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that covers your teeth and gums. And if you don’t brush or floss enough, the bacteria can spread and cause tooth decay or gum disease.
To improve oral hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once a day. Here are more tips for keeping your teeth healthy.
Good oral hygiene is especially important for pregnant women. Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy can also trigger gum disease and bleeding gums.
You might keep hydrogen peroxide on hand to use as a disinfectant. Turns out it can also remove plaque, promote gum health, and stop gum bleeding. If your gums are bleeding, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide after brushing, but don’t swallow the solution.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, and this condition can cause bleeding, swelling, and receding gums. In a
In addition to heightening the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, smoking is linked to gum disease. In fact, smoking is a major cause of severe gum disease in the United States, says the
Smoking can lower your body’s immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off plaque bacteria. This can lead to gum disease.
Quitting smoking can help your gums heal and stop bleeding. Talk to your doctor about the best method to help you quit smoking.
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It’s believed that emotional stress may also cause some people to neglect their oral health, which can contribute to the accumulation of plaque. Find out some of the things you can do to relieve stress.
Eating foods rich in vitamin C can strengthen your immune system and help fight off the gum infections that cause bleeding gums.
Conversely, not getting enough vitamin C in your diet may worsen bleeding if you have gum disease. In fact, a vitamin C deficiency can also lead to gum bleeding even if you practice good oral habits.
Foods rich in vitamin C include:
- oranges
- sweet potatoes
- red peppers
- carrots
You can also ask your doctor about taking a vitamin C supplement. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C strengthens connective tissue and protects the lining of your gums, so you’ll want to be sure you’re getting enough each day. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for adults is between 65 and 90 milligrams a day.
Taking a vitamin K supplement may also alleviate bleeding gums. Vitamin K is an important nutrient because it helps your blood clot. A deficiency can cause easy bleeding, and one
Foods rich in vitamin K include:
- spinach
- collard greens
- kale
- mustard greens
The
Bleeding gums aren’t always caused by gum disease. Your gums may also bleed from trauma or an injury to the gum tissue.
A cold compress applied to the gum line can reduce swelling and restrict blood flow to stop bleeding. Apply an ice pack or a cold cloth to your gums several times a day, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Although brushing and flossing regularly can reduce this buildup, cutting back on carbs helps prevent plaque formation.
Drinking green tea on a daily basis may also reverse periodontal disease and stop bleeding gums. Green tea contains catechin, a natural antioxidant that can lower the body’s inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth.
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The recommended daily intake of green tea is three to four cups, although some researchers believe that you need to drink up to
Because bacteria and inflammation in the mouth causes gum disease, regularly rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm salt water may also reduce bacteria and stop gum bleeding.
Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth for a few seconds three to four times a day. If bleeding is from an injury or trauma, rinsing with a salt water mixture also keeps your mouth clean and removes bacteria that could cause a wound infection.
See a dentist if gum bleeding doesn’t improve within 7 to 10 days. You may need a deep dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar and promote gum healing.
Your doctor may also order lab work to check for any vitamin deficiencies that can cause gum bleeding.
