Help for bleeding gums!

Everyone has experienced gum bleeding at some point, whether you’re a kiddo or a grandparent. While bleeding gums aren’t always a significant problem, they certainly aren’t fun (and can even be an indicator of gum disease down the road). When you encounter sore or irritated gum tissue, it’s essential to know how to treat bleeding gums when they happen.

At Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in educating our youngest patients about the best ways to maintain oral health. Part of that is learning to heal and prevent bleeding gums. Let’s look at the top five things you can do for gum inflammation (and improve gum health!).

What Makes Gums Bleed? Periodontal Disease & Beyond

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, it could result from poor dental hygiene or an underlying health condition.

Things That Might Be Impacting Your Oral Health

• Poor oral hygiene caused by inadequate plaque removal through brushing or flossing can lead to problems with plaque, bacteria, sensitive gums, and tooth decay.
• Most importantly, it’s a sign of developing gum disease or a potential gum infection. Treating gum disease early on is essential, so visit your dentist if you have regular, painful gum bleeding.
• Certain medications, such as blood thinners, can worsen bleeding as a side effect.
• Health conditions that impact the body’s immune system (like diabetes, leukemia, and vitamin C deficiency) can also contribute to issues with periodontal health.

You should never ignore swelling or bleeding along the gum line – whether from minor mouth injuries or gum infections. Excessive bleeding can eventually cause tooth loss, restrict blood flow, create gingivitis symptoms, lead to severe gum disease, and more.

Five Ways to Stop Bleeding Gums

Keeping your mouth healthy can be challenging, especially if you struggle to treat gum disease and promote gum healing. But we have five simple ways to help stop gum bleeding and practice good oral hygiene!

Better Brushing & Flossing: According to the American Dental Association, one of the best things you can do to stop bleeding gums is to brush your teeth and use dental floss twice a day.

Make sure you’re brushing your teeth for at least two minutes every time!

Brush and floss to remove plaque (the sticky film on your teeth), clear out food particles, and reduce bacteria in your mouth. This is definitely your best tool for periodontal disease control!

Pick the Best Toothbrush: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is better when brushing your teeth. While firm bristles might feel like you’re getting a deep dental cleaning, they’re worse for you.

Stiffer bristles can cause damage to your gums and make them more prone to bleeding. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

Soothe Sore Gums: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water – it works wonders! An oral salt rinse is a simple and effective way to help reduce swelling and alleviate bleeding gums.

Mix about half a teaspoon of salt with warm water and swish the mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds. Spit out the solution and rinse.

Ice packs can also help with the swelling and make your gums temporarily feel better!

Get More Vitamin C: Vitamin deficiencies can be a significant health issue. They can even lead to tooth problems and gum pain. Prevent gum disease by increasing your vitamin C intake!

Plus, foods with vitamin C are delicious and nutritious: oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers are just a few!

Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Regular dental check-ups are vital for maintaining dental and gum health.

Small patients should visit our office every six months for a cleaning and check-up.

Our team can help identify potential issues while ensuring your youngest family members take care of their chompers.

Catch Gum Disease Early with Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry