How to Stop Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you might shrug it off or think this is normal, but bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. Factors like brushing too vigorously, injury, pregnancy, and inflammation can contribute to bleeding gums. Gum inflammation can cause redness, swelling, and tenderness, and it can be a sign of periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Such diseases can occur from inadequate plaque removal. Identifying the cause of bleeding gums is key to determining the most appropriate treatment. Once you know the cause; you can choose among these ways to stop the bleeding.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Gums become inflamed and bleed when there’s a buildup of plaque along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that covers your teeth and gums, and if you don’t brush or floss enough, the 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.
- Rinse Mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide: You might keep hydrogen peroxide on hand to use as a disinfectant. Turns out it can also remove plaque, promote gum health, and stop gum bleeding. If your gums are bleeding, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide after brushing, but don’t swallow the solution. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, and this condition can cause bleeding, swelling, and receding gums. In a study of 99 subjects, some were given a mouth rinse of hydrogen peroxide to study the effectiveness of the solution on reducing gingivitis and whitening teeth. The study found that the group that rinsed with hydrogen peroxide had less gum inflammation than the control group.
- Stop Smoking: In addition to heightening the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, smoking is linked to gum disease. In fact, smoking is a major cause of severe gum disease in the United States, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Reduce Stress Levels: One study suggests a link between periodontal disease and emotional stress. According to the researchers, emotional stress has a negative impact on the immune system. This may result in a weakening of the body’s defences to the point where it can’t fight gum infection. However, more research is needed to determine the amount of stress that can trigger the onset of this disease.
- Increase Vitamin C Intake: Eating foods rich in vitamin C can strengthen your immune system and help fight off the gum infections that cause bleeding gums. Conversely, not getting enough vitamin C in your diet may worsen bleeding if you have gum disease. In fact, a vitamin C deficiency can also lead to gum bleeding even if you practice good oral habits. Foods rich is vitamin C include oranges, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and carrots. You can also ask your doctor about taking a vitamin C supplement. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C strengthens connective tissue and protects the lining of your gums, so you’ll want to be sure you’re getting enough each day. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for adults is between 65 and 90 milligrams a day.
