fbpx

Why Do Gums Bleed When You Floss?

Bleeding gums are a common sign that you might have gum disease or other oral issues. But that isn’t always the case. In fact, there are many causes of bleeding gums from diet to event pregnancy. In this article, we will discuss the different reasons gums might bleed when brushing and flossing your teeth. Of course, the best option for any specific dental concerns is to see a dentist in your area. If you are concerned about your own oral health or the oral health of a family member, please contact the team at Aspire Family Dentistry in Lewiston for dental services. 

What Causes Gums To Bleed?

There are many different reasons your gums might bleed when flossing or brushing your teeth. Regardless of the cause, one of the best things you can do is see a dentist to make sure that if there are underlying issues, they are addressed promptly. Here are a few common causes: 

  • Brushing/Flossing Technique: Putting too much pressure on the gums with floss or the bristles of a toothbrush can lead to bleeding. 
  • Flossing Frequency: If you recently started increasing how often you floss based on a dentist’s recommendations you might notice bleeding at first. This is common and usually goes away after a few days. 
  • Gum Disease (Gingivitis): One of the most common reasons your gums are bleeding is a gum disease like gingivitis. Gum disease can have a severe impact on your oral health if it is not treated. 
  • Pregnancy Gingivitis: Pregnancy causes hormonal changes. Changing hormones has many effects on the body. For some women, they might notice bleeding around the gums caused by hormonal changes. This is because hormonal changes might make the gums more vulnerable. If this occurs, it is important to mention it to a dentist. Cleanings can help protect the teeth and gums from disease. 
  • Diet: What we eat or don’t eat can greatly impact our health. For example not getting the right vitamins and minerals can lead to poor gum health. A famous example of this is scurvy, a gum health issue that was common among sailors centuries ago because of the lack of vitamins in their day to day diet. But while none of us really worry about scurvy these days, other gum diseases can be a higher risk if we do not get the right nutrients in our diet. 
  • Smoking: Tobacco products can have a variety of negative impacts on your overall health. Because tobacco products are often smoked or chewed, they frequently cause problems for your teeth, gums, and mouth. Tobacco smoke or chewing tobacco can cause your gums to be more susceptible to disease and leads to bleeding gums. 

Schedule a Dental Appointment in Lewiston Maine

If you notice issues with your gums including bleed, sore, or puffy gums you should always considering making a quick dental visit. Seeing a dentist can help you get the treatment you need to protect your oral health long-term. A quick dental visit can help prevent larger issues down the road as well. For more information please contact our team. 

Learn More About Dentistry: