Why Do My Gums Bleed?

When you brush and floss your teeth, do you notice areas that begin to bleed? Bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis, which is caused by plaque and tartar buildup. This is why proper brushing and flossing is so important to the health of your mouth.

Flossing and brushing can remove plaque, but once plaque mineralizes and becomes tartar, only a scaling and root planing treatment from your dentist or periodontist can remove it from your gums.

If left untreated, you may develop periodontal disease which affects the bone around your teeth and may lead to tooth loss.

Some other issues that may cause your gums to bleed include:

Brushing aggressively
Not flossing properly
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy
Diabetes
Poor nutrition
Smoking

If you notice your gums are bleeding, be sure to speak to your dentist or periodontist to address the issue and make sure any health problems are treated. Brushing and flossing twice per day is one of the best ways to remove plaque from your teeth. Your brush can only reach so much, so if you are not flossing you should make sure you begin as soon as possible. 

If you experience bleeding gums do not ignore it. Be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart or Dr. Parkes at Periodontal Associates of Jackson to talk about what can be done to treat this issue.