Spotting blood in your mouth after brushing your teeth can be a scary moment. However, there’s no need to panic. There are a variety of reasons for blood appearing while brushing, and the majority of them can easily be solved. Here are a few reasons why you may have blood when you brush your teeth.
Gum disease
The early stages of gum disease are known as gingivitis, with symptoms including swollen and tender gums. If you’re noticing blood while brushing, you may be experiencing the first phases of gum disease. One of the main causes of gingivitis is irregular dental hygiene, which can be easily improved by consistent brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. If you’re worried about these early signs, paying a visit to the dentist will stop your gum disease developing.
Medication
Another possible explanation for your bleeding gums is blood-thinning medications. If you’re regularly taking blood-thinning medication, you will decrease your blood’s ability to clot, which will in turn result in bleeding. During your semi-annual appointments, make your dentist aware of your prescriptions and medications so they can keep on top of your dental health. If your bleeding gets more substantial, make sure to organise further appointments with your dentist.
Forceful brushing
The answer to your bleeding gums could be a simple one. Vigorous, overly forceful brushing can do some serious damage to your gums and lead to bleeding. However, that doesn’t mean you should brush your teeth less. Investing in a soft-bristled toothbrush should be your number one priority, as well as using a more gentle touch. After a week of softer brushing, your gums should stop bleeding.
Changes in your dental routine
Alongside brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing should also be a daily part of your dental routine. If you haven’t flossed before, you may be surprised by the amount of bleeding that can occur on your first floss. After a week of daily flossing, your gums should stop their bleeding.
Switching to a tougher toothbrush can also be harmful to your gums, especially for those with soft tissue. To get your dental routine right, we recommend heading to your dentist and asking for some advice on which toothbrush is right for you.
From brushing your teeth too vigorously to changing up your dental routine, bleeding gums are normally simple to explain. If you’re noticing sustained bleeding over a long period of time, it might be time to check in with your dentist. Contact us online and book an appointment with us today.
