How to stop bleeding gums?
Gum bleeding, other than tooth pain, is one of the commonest motivating factors for a person
to seek dental care and advice. Most people will notice bleeding from gums while tooth
brushing or flossing. While gum bleeding is usually not severe or heavy in nature, it can be
concerning enough, given the wealth of common information on the internet about all types of
cancers and infections.
The commonest reason for gum or gingival bleeding is inflammation of the gums. Inflammation
equals local swelling, which equals tenderness and bleeding when the gum is irritated during a
routine action, for example, while toothbrushing. The CAUSE of inflammation is variable. They
are divided into broad categories – the most common being plaque and calculus buildup. Other
reasons are systemic issues such as uncontrolled diabetes, hormonal changes, radiation and
chemotherapy, immune compromised disorders, certain cancers, and the list goes on. Those
systemic issues go hand in hand with oral health conditions.
The basic procedure that helps with stopping bleeding gums is a dental cleaning by the hygienist.
At the cleaning appointment, the hygienist does a full evaluation of the gums and
comprehensively explains to the patient on what type of cleaning would be best for them,
going forward for the next appointment. For maintaining a healthy gingiva, it is extremely
important to establish brushing routines at home. Tooth brushing maybe manual or electric.
Some habits are hard to break, but smoking cessation is paramount in establishing a healthy
mouth. Flossing goes hand in hand with toothbrushing to make sure the surface in between
each tooth is clean. If dexterity is an issue, a water pik or a water flosser is a great alternative.
Your dentist will also discuss the mouthwashes that have a neutral pH, which are considered
best to keep healthy gums and teeth and prevent irritation and bleeding.