Seven Ways To Stop Bleeding Gums

If gum disease is occurring, then you may experience bleeding gums, sore gums or inflamed gums. Gum disease, which affects 3 out of 4 adults in the UK, occurs when plaque and tartar on the teeth builds up and the associated bacteria irritates and inflames the gums, causing them to recede, bleed and become sore.

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and we want to ensure our patients don’t suffer that fate and instead have the healthiest and happiest gums, supporting a beautiful smile. This is why not only is it important to understand the signs of gum disease, but it’s also important to know what to do when you first spot the signs.

In this guide, we take a look at seven of the best ways to stop your gums from bleeding and how you can prevent gum disease from occurring.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Bleeding gums usually are a sign of poor dental hygiene, with the gums becoming inflamed and bleeding when there’s a buildup of plaque along the gum line. If plaque is not removed from the teeth properly, bacteria and what it omits can irritate the gums, which is the start of gum disease. If the condition is not treated, it progresses and gets worse, eventually destroying the gums, and the jawbone which holds the teeth.

If you don’t brush or floss enough, bacteria can spread and cause tooth decay or gum disease.

To improve oral hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once a day. You may like to read our guide on how to optimise your oral health.

Using Mouthwash

Antibacterial mouthwash can prevent and treat gum disease, which is a common cause of bleeding gums, by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation in the gums. Antibacterial mouthwashes can be purchased in the supermarket or from any pharmacy.

Fluoride mouthwash can also help in clearing the mouth of debris and preventing plaque from building up in the mouth, as well as freshening our breath. As gums are the foundation for healthy teeth, it’s important to care for them and ensure we use mouthwash on a daily basis to help treat and prevent gum problems.

Using the Right Toothbrush

With most things in life, it’s important to find what works best for you, and toothbrushes are no different. If you suffer from sensitive teeth and gums, you should opt for a toothbrush best suited for you, such as an extra soft or sensitive toothbrush. Firm or medium toothbrushes can be rough on the gums, so if you find that your gums bleed easily while brushing, you should try switching to a softer toothbrush.

It’s also important to replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles appear frayed, which may indicate that you are brushing too hard.

Gentle Flossing

While it’s recommended to clean between the teeth with floss once a day, it’s essential to be gentle and not apply too much pressure to your gums or teeth. 

Your gums will eventually build up in strength with consistent flossing as overall gum health improves, so it may take a while for your gums to stop bleeding when you floss.

Avoiding Smoking

According to DentistryIQ, smokers are three times more likely to suffer from gum disease than non-smokers, with smoking weakening your body’s ability to fight off infection and making it more difficult for your gums to heal and the body to heal its tissues.

As smoking is one of the biggest contributing factors towards bleeding gums, it may be well worth giving up or reducing the amount you smoke. Often, our patients notice improvements in their oral health soon after giving up smoking. Giving up smoking can benefit the whole body and can greatly increase the health of the mouth and gums.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fresh fruit and vegetables can support in keeping the gums healthy. Healthy gums can guard against heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, bad breath and tooth loss. Crunchy vegetables can help keep the teeth clean between meals, with leafy greens providing an excellent source of nutrients and reinforcing the enamel on our teeth.

Foods rich in vitamin C can strengthen your immune system and support in fighting off gum infections that cause bleeding gums. If you practice good oral habits and still find your gums bleeding, it may be worth adding more vitamin C into your diet. Cutting back on carbs can also help prevent the formation of plaque.

Visit Your Dentist

Wondering how to stop bleeding gums? If you notice any changes in your gums, teeth or mouth, it’s critical to visit your dentist for a dental hygiene visit as soon as possible. Pain, discomfort, redness or bleeding should be checked out as your dentist will be able to check for early signs of gum disease as well as other health-related issues that could be related.

Regular dental visits can stop minor issues before they become serious. As untreated gum disease can lead to infection and in some cases, tooth loss, it’s important to not delay visiting your dentist. The healthier your gums and teeth are, the lower your cost of dentistry!

How Can We Help?

We offer a complete gum assessment where our experienced team performs a full check of your gums to understand the kind of treatment and support you need. We can then help to treat the problems, and work to help prevent any further problems in the future. Support from our hygienists and dentists is a really good way to maintain healthy gums. 

We can help to remove plaque and tartar with effective cleaning techniques and also provide you with up-to-date advice on how to care for your teeth and gums day-to-day to help avoid any further issues.

We offer a wide range of treatments for gum problems, including advanced oral hygiene care and cleaning, as well as professional restoration treatments such as composite fillings, gum coloured fillings, gum surgery and ongoing hygienist services.

Our dental practice is located in Essex and is easily accessible from most areas around the UK. For more information on our treatments, please get in touch with us or call us on 01708 442 114.