Why do my Gums Bleed when I Brush?

Louisville, KY

You finish brushing your teeth and rinse out your mouth and then you see it – a little bit of pink in the sink. Many people experience bleeding gums when they brush and floss their teeth. While this is fairly common, it is not normal, and could be a sign of a greater threat to your oral health. Read on as, today on the blog, your family dentist in Louisville explores some of the reasons your gums bleed when you brush.

Are you using the wrong toothbrush?

Not all toothbrushes are created equal. To keep your teeth clean and also protect them and their gums, you should use a toothbrush with soft bristles. A hard-bristled toothbrush may seem more effective, but when it comes to cleaning your teeth and removing the food particles and plaque that lead to tooth decay, your brushing technique and how often you brush are more important. As for your technique…

Are you over-brushing?

Hard scrubbing of your teeth is less effective than you might think. This is referred to as overbrushing, which can deteriorate your enamel – the protective outer layer of your tooth structure – while also causing your gums to bleed. The best way to brush is to use small circular motions on the front of your teeth and a back-and-forth motion on the chewing surfaces.

Do you have gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gums. Gum disease is a chronic condition. Normal brushing and flossing will not resolve the ailment; the only way to resolve gum disease is to receive treatment from an experienced and highly-trained dentist. Bleeding from the gums is a common symptom of gingivitis, as are inflammation, redness and soreness of the gums. Gum disease is incredibly widespread, estimated to affect nearly half of American adults over the age of 30, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have gum disease, you want to get it treated as early as possible. Otherwise…

Do you have advanced gum disease?

If you have gum disease and it is not treated promptly, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis. By this time, permanent damage has been done to your teeth and mouth. Your gums begin to recede and pull away from teeth, leading to the formation of pockets at the base of your teeth that become breeding grounds for the infected material. These pockets grow and deepen, attacking the periodontal ligaments that keep teeth in their sockets, and eventually spread to form new pockets.

Dental care and periodontal treatment in Kentuckiana

In conclusion, if your gums bleed when you brush, it’s worthwhile to contact your dentist. If you are overdue for a dental checkup, now is the right time to get back on track. Exceptional Dentistry offers the highest level of dental care at each of our three locations: in Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville in Indiana. Our dental cleaning procedure completely removes all the bacteria and plaque that can lead to gum disease.  We also offer periodontal treatment with our precise dental laser, which vaporizes any affected tissue as well as the bacteria causing the infection, and does so with minimal bleeding, discomfort or risk of infection. To find out more about how we treat gum disease, to schedule a cleaning, or learn about any of the services we provide, make an appointment today by calling (502) 423-7868 or contacting us online.