Do your gums bleed when brushing your teeth? This common occurrence might initially seem like the result of brushing too hard, but that’s not always the case. Bleeding gums can be a sign of several other issues that you shouldn't ignore.

Whether it’s something as manageable as adjusting your brushing approach or something that needs a dentist’s attention, like gum disease, getting to the root of the problem can help prevent more serious oral health issues down the line.

So, why do your gums bleed every time you brush your teeth? Let's delve into this question and discover what your symptoms might be telling you.

Common Causes of Bleeding Gums

Let's take a closer look at the different causes of gum bleeding when brushing teeth:

  • Poor Oral Hygiene: When flossing and brushing are neglected, plaque builds up, irritating the gums and making them red, swollen, and sensitive. Inflamed gums can then bleed easily during brushing due to irritation.
  • Brushing too Hard: Brushing aggressively can damage gum tissue, causing it to recede and expose tooth roots. This leads to increased sensitivity, gum pain, and makes gums more prone to bleeding during brushing.
  • Smoking: Reduced blood flow from smoking deprives gums of essential nutrients for healthy tissue maintenance. This lack of nourishment leads to unhealthy gums, increasing the risk of gum bleeding when brushing teeth due to their weakened state.
  • Gingivitis and Periodontitis: Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, causes gum inflammation and bleeding due to plaque buildup. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where inflammation spreads deeper, increasing the likelihood of bleeding during brushing.

Other Causes of Bleeding Gums 

Beyond the common bleeding gums causes discussed above, delve further into what other conditions may contribute to this issue.

  • Dental Treatments: Dental treatments like tooth extractions or scaling can temporarily heighten sensitivity. These treatments often disturb the gum tissue, which can become inflamed and more susceptible to gum or teeth bleeding when brushing during the healing process.
  • Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, like blood thinners, can heighten the risk of gum bleeding. They affect the body’s ability to clot blood, making even minor gum irritations more likely to result in bleeding.
  • Vitamin K Deficiency: When Vitamin K levels are low, the body's natural ability to manage bleeding is reduced. This makes it easier for gums to bleed, particularly if you brush too hard since the usual rapid response to minor injuries is weakened.
  • Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C plays a key role in producing collagen, which helps keep gums strong and healthy. A lack of Vitamin C can weaken this support, leading to scurvy, a condition that causes gum bleeding, among other symptoms.
  • Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone during life stages such as pregnancy, puberty, or menopause intensify blood flow to the gums and change their reaction to plaque. This results in gums that are tender and more likely to bleed.
  • Leukaemia: In leukaemia, the gums can swell and become enlarged. This increased size and sensitivity heighten the risk of injury and gum bleeding when brushing teeth.
  • Haemophilia: With haemophilia, a lack of clotting factors means even minor gum injuries can cause significant bleeding, often noticeable during harsh brushing.
  • HIV/AIDS: When someone has HIV/AIDS, their weakened immune system struggles to combat infections, leading to a higher risk of periodontal diseases.

How to Stop Bleeding Gums

Looking for ways on how to stop your mouth or gums from bleeding whenever you brush your teeth? Here’s what you need to know:

1. Brush Your Teeth with a Fluoride Toothpaste

 

Aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste. Why fluoride? Because it helps to strengthen your tooth enamel, which is vital for warding off the bacteria that lead to gum inflammation and bleeding.

For instance, a toothpaste for sensitive gums like the Advanced Gum Health Fluoride Toothpaste is specifically formulated to enhance gum health, featuring Allantoin for tissue regeneration and a blend of Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Xylitol, and Zinc Citrate. These ingredients collectively fight plaque and help keep the mouth healthy and fresh.

Another ideal choice is the Extra Gentle Hypoallergenic Fluoride Toothpaste. Like the Advanced Gum Health Fluoride Toothpaste, it is formulated with Fluoride, Xylitol, and Cetylpyridinium Chloride. Plus, this Extra Gentle Hypoallergenic Fluoride Toothpaste is clinically tested against contact dermatitis to help prevent irritation or further oral issues for those already dealing with gum bleeding.

Lastly, options like the Optimal A.R.T. Active Remineralization Toothpaste acts as a restorative solution for weakened enamel. It’s formulated with hydroxyapatite, a primary mineral found in tooth enamel, helping to repair demineralised areas and restore enamel strength. Additionally, it includes Xylitol, which helps raise saliva pH levels, speeding up the enamel remineralisation process. This, in turn, supports healthier gums by reducing irritation around the teeth.

2. Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing is an often overlooked aspect of one's oral hygiene routine, yet it plays a pivotal role in preventing gum bleeding. It reaches where your toothbrush usually can't, helping to address the lurking plaque that leads to gum issues.

So, the next time you're shopping, don’t forget to add floss to your cart. You can check out options like the FlossCare Plus PTFE Mint Floss. This taped floss is ideal for those with sensitive gums, as its wider, flatter shape, combined with smooth PTFE material, ensures it slides easily between teeth. This design reduces gum irritation while still providing a gentle yet thorough clean.

Or, consider the FlossPick Y 2-IN-1 PTFE Back Teeth Mint Flosser. Its Y-shaped, angled design is designed to enhance reach and manoeuvrability, allowing for easy access to the back teeth, which are often challenging to clean. Plus, its smooth, shred-resistant material is soft and gentle on your gums, ensuring a thorough clean without harming sensitive gum tissue.

For those looking for an alternative to traditional floss, the Portable Water Flosser offers a different approach by using targeted water pressure to clean between teeth. It’s particularly useful for individuals with sensitive gums, as it reduces the irritation that string floss can sometimes cause. With its Periodontal Nozzle attached, it targets and effectively cleans gum pockets, making it ideal for those with gum disease. Plus, it comes with three adjustable pressure settings to suit different comfort levels and cleaning needs, making it ideal for more personalised teeth and gum care.

3. Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

In addition to brushing and flossing, incorporating fluoride mouthwash into your daily dental care can further support your oral hygiene. Mouthwash assists in rinsing away debris and bacteria from areas that might not be thoroughly reached by brushing, including on surfaces like the cheeks and tongue. This step helps manage the conditions that lead to gum disease by maintaining cleanliness throughout the mouth.

Pearlie White’s Fluorinze Anti-Bacterial Fluoride Mouth Rinse, for example, combines fluoride's enamel-strengthening ability with the bacteria-fighting abilities of Tea Tree Oil and Thymol to target and reduce oral bacteria, helping prevent the development of plaque and gum disease. 

If you prefer a mouthwash without alcohol, don’t worry, Pearlie White’s entire line is alcohol-free, ensuring it is gentle on teeth and gums and suitable for daily use.

4. Use Soft Bristled Toothbrushes

Using a toothbrush with hard or rough bristles might seem like it cleans more optimally, but it can actually damage your gums and enamel, leading to gum irritation and even more bleeding. A soft-bristled toothbrush, on the other hand, provides the gentle care your gums need.

Consider options like the BrushCare Enamel Protect Adult Soft Toothbrush. Its slim handle and compact head make reaching the back of the mouth easier, and its densely packed, micro-fine, soft bristles are polished and end-rounded to be gentle on both your gums and enamel. 

Similarly, the BrushCare Professional Regular Soft Toothbrush also features a small, compact head with polished end-rounded bristle. However, it comes with non-slip grip areas on its handle to give you better control to avoid sudden, harsh movements that could irritate your gums.

5. Regular Dental Visits

It’s easy to assume brushing and flossing are enough, but regular dental visits provide a deeper level of care. These check-ups not only help spot any early gum issues but also give your gums the professional attention that at-home care alone might miss.

6. Tooth Scaling and Root Planing

Tooth scaling and root planing are dental treatments dentists perform to reach below the gum line, clearing out plaque and tartar that regular brushing can’t. This process supports healthier gums by addressing factors that may lead to gum irritation and bleeding, offering a thorough cleaning foundation for improved gum health.

7. Antibiotics

Antibiotics may treat infections that lead to gum bleeding, either as oral medication or directly applied to the gums. However, only take medications prescribed to you by a licensed healthcare professional for safe use.

8. Increase Intake of Vitamin C and K

A diet rich in vitamins C and K can go a long way in supporting gum health. For vitamin C, include foods like citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers in your diet. Meanwhile, for vitamin K, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are great choices. 

Keep Your Gums Happy and Healthy

To maintain optimal gum health, equip yourself with gum care products with gentle formulations, such as those from Pearlie White, and embrace a thorough dental routine. However, if problems like persistent gum bleeding or discomfort arise, don’t hesitate to seek professional dental care and advice. 

Stay proactive in your dental health journey to ensure your gums stay healthy and happy.