A healthy body starts with a healthy smile and we at Maplewood Dental Associates are here to get you off to a great start! While most patients tend to focus solely on the health of their teeth, as your dental team and dentist in Maplewood, MN, we want you to recognize that your gums play just as crucial of a role in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. Normally, your gums should be pink and not a shade of red. If your gums are red, your gums may even start to bleed (which you may notice when you spit your toothpaste into the sink). While this isn’t an uncommon condition, it’s still one that you need to pay close attention to.
What Causes Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can occur for a number of different reasons, but it’s typically because something is irritating them. Here are the most common ones:
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Gum Disease – When you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria will build up in the grooves around your teeth, causing your gums to get irritated and bleed.
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Your Oral Hygiene Routine – Sometimes, changing up your oral hygiene routine (like beginning to floss regularly for the first time) can cause bleeding gums. Also, when you brush too hard, that can frequently be a cause for your gums to bleed.
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Pregnancy – Pregnancy can also cause bleeding gums as hormones can affect the entire body and make the gums sensitive and prone to bleeding.
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Certain Medicines – There are also certain medicines that may cause your gums to be more likely to bleed.
Recommendations for Gum Disease and Bleeding Gums
While some patients may begin to worry if they have bleeding gums, we want you to know that this isn’t a real cause to panic. There are actually several things you can do to help gum disease and bleeding gums. We recommend doing the following:
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Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss as well.
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Use an electric toothbrush as it’ll get rid of the plaque and bacteria in your mouth more effectively.
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Eat a healthier diet to limit the bacteria that’s in your mouth.
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Quit using tobacco, if you do so.
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Visit your dentist for a cleaning and oral guidance.
When to See Your Dentist in Maplewood, MN
It’s not always necessary for you to see your dentist if your gums start to bleed. Often, if you improve your oral hygiene habits, your gums will become healthier without having to visit your dentist in Maplewood, MN. However, if your gums bleed regularly when you brush your teeth over the course of a few weeks, you should call up your dentist.
Contact Your Dentist in Maplewood, MN Today!
If you have any further questions about bleeding gums, please contact us and let us know. At Maplewood Dental Associates, we’re always happy to help our patients in any way that we can. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, feel free to give us a call at 651-770-3831. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!