If you find yourself spitting red just after you’ve brushed your teeth, chances are good your gums are bleeding. It’s not always as serious an issue as you might think, but it could point to a serious underlying cause like gum disease.
Found that your gums have started bleeding? Here are just five common reasons why that might be happening.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a serious condition – in fact, it’s the first stage of gum disease. When plaque is allowed to sit at the gum line, unmolested by proper brushing and flossing, the gums can become irritated and then infected. If this leads to gingivitis, they are likely to bleed when you brush. If gingivitis is to blame, your gums may also become swollen and sore.
- Overbrushing
A sloppy oral healthcare routine can lead to bleeding gums, but so can an overzealous one. Research suggests that many people overbrush – they apply too much pressure when brushing their teeth. You don’t actually need much pressure to rid your teeth of plaque, and placing too much can irritate the gums enough to cause bleeding.
- Smoking
Here’s another reason to stop smoking: it can lead to bleeding gums. Aside from increasing your risk of gum disease, smoking can make the gums both large and fibrous while reducing the amount of saliva in your mouth. Bacteria is better able to thrive before penetrating the gum line.
- Medication
If you’ve recently noticed that your gums are bleeding, it’s worth checking if you have recently started taking any medications. These can interfere with blood flow or reduce saliva production, which can lead to serious oral health issues. If you notice any severe symptoms, book an appointment with a dentist in spirit lake, ia (or one in your vicinity) to resolve the dental issue.
- Stress
Stress can be caused by a whole host of factors and create a whole host of symptoms. Bleeding gums is one of them. You see, stress impacts the immune system’s ability to prevent gum disease. At the same time, it inflames the blood vessels, which makes it harder for the gums to heal.