Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

When you brush your teeth, do you ever see blood on your teeth or gums? If so, you may also see it in your sink after you spit out your toothpaste. Seeing blood on your gums is not a good thing, and it is something you should not ignore. Bloody gums is often a sign of a problem, and here are three of the top reasons gums will bleed.

You may be brushing too aggressively

The first thing that can cause your gums to bleed is aggressive brushing habits. A lot of people think that they have to brush really hard in order to clean their teeth; however, this is not true. While you should use some force, you do not need to be overly aggressive. Brushing your teeth too hard can lead to bleeding gums because it can damage the gums. Brushing too hard can also cause you to brush the enamel right off your teeth. If you are currently brush aggressively, try brushing your teeth with less force from now on.

You may have too much plaque on your gum lines

If you have a lot of plaque on your gum lines, it may also cause bleeding of your gums. Plaque is something that can turn into decay if left on your teeth too long and eventually gum disease (see below). When you have plaque on your gum lines, it can weaken the gums and cause an infection to form. If this happens, you may experience bleeding when you brush your teeth or eat foods that are really hard and crunchy.

You may have gum disease

As plaque remains on the gum lines, it can cause gum disease, which is an infection in the gums. People with gum disease tend to see blood a lot when they brush their teeth, and they also tend to have red, swollen gums. Gum disease progressively worsens if left untreated, and it can cause you to lose all your teeth. If your gums are bleeding from this condition, you should seek help for the problem by visiting a dentist quickly.

If you notice that your gums bleed when you brush, floss, or eat, you should visit a dentist soon. Bleeding gums can be a sign of oral problems, and your dentist can diagnose and treat the cause for you. Contact a dental clinic like Mainwaring John D DDS to line up a visit with an experienced dentist in your area.