Does Bleeding Gums Indicate A Problem With Your Oral Health?

Do you notice signs of blood after you brush or floss your teeth? If so, you are experiencing bleeding gums. This can occur from something as simple as food trapped between the teeth and irritating your gums. The problem arises when bleeding gums happens frequently, because it is a warning sign that you may have a problem with your oral health. Some causes of bleeding gums include:

Poor Oral Hygiene
If you are not brushing and flossing your teeth properly or enough, you may experience bleeding gums. This is one of the most common causes of bleeding gums. Be sure you are using soft and gentle motions rather than vigorous strokes. We also recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rough brushing motions and a hard-bristled toothbrush can injure the gums. We would love to demonstrate how to properly brush and floss during your next visit to our office.

Gum Disease
This condition can be very difficult to detect, which is one of the reasons we are so passionate about routine dental care. One of the few side effects that can indicate a problem is bleeding gums. Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build up along the gum line. If not treated in a timely manner, the condition will continue to worsen.

Medications
You may be surprised to learn that there are many medications, prescription as well as over-the-counter, that can cause bleeding gums, including blood thinners, birth control pills, and aspirin. If you have any changes to your medical history or medications, be sure to notify our office before the start of your next appointment. We may need to adjust how we clean your teeth or stop your medications before you receive a treatment.

We encourage you to contact our office, which is located in Meridian, ID, to schedule an appointment if you notice your gums are bleeding regularly. We can evaluate your oral health and ensure that there are no problems.