Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush and Floss?

You’ve just finished brushing and flossing, and when you spit out the particles and saliva, it’s tinged pink or red. Your gums are bleeding, and you’re concerned. Why are your gums bleeding?

The reality is that everyone experiences bleeding gums, and sometimes, it’s nothing to worry about. It could be as simple as eating popcorn, and a piece of kernel briefly irritated your gums. You might have had a cup of tea that was too hot and burned your gums. When you brushed, you irritated that burn.

Other times, bleeding gums signal early or advancing gum disease. Understanding the potential causes and when to see a dentist is essential.

Have You Changed Your Routine?

Before you plan, look at your daily routine. Two things can trigger bleeding that aren’t concerning and will stop as you return to your normal brushing and flossing habit.

Skipping Flossing or Brushing for a Day: You were exhausted after a long day and just couldn’t find the energy to brush and floss your teeth before going to bed. In some people, all it takes is skipping one day for the gums to start bleeding.

Suddenly Deciding to Start Flossing: You’ve been slacking and haven’t flossed your teeth in months or even years. You suddenly resume the practice and find your gums are bleeding. Keep flossing daily, and the bleeding will stop.

Improper Oral Care Habits That Damage the Gum Tissue

You always brush twice a day and floss before going to bed. That never changes, but your gums are bleeding. You may be doing a few things wrong.

Brushing Too Hard

When you brush, the correct force to use is 1 Newton (About 0.22 pounds). Yet, 17.5% of people brushed with 3 Newtons or higher. Men were more likely than women to brush too hard.

Brushing too hard causes abrasions on the tooth’s surface. It also increases gum recession. When gums recede, gum disease is more likely to occur.

Flossing Incorrectly

When you floss, curve the floss (C-shape) around the tooth surface and gently move from the top to the gums and back up. If you’re snapping it straight down, it hits the gums and can create small cuts.

Skipping Brushing and Flossing From Time to Time

Floss once a day and brush your teeth twice a day. This helps keep plaque from building up and forming the tartar that hygienists remove during a professional cleaning.

Diet and Lifestyle Choices That Impact Gum Health

Sometimes the foods you eat, the beverages you drink, and your lifestyle choices also impact your gum health.

Alcohol Use: Alcohol is a diuretic and increases urine output. This can trigger dehydration and dry mouth, which lowers the amount of saliva that washes away harmful bacteria. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that heavy drinkers had a higher risk of periodontitis.
Hard, Crunchy Foods: Eating foods that are incredibly hard or crunchy can scrape the gums, too. Items like corn chips or a really crusty baguette may scrape and irritate the gums, leading to bleeding when you brush.
Smoking and Vaping: Smoking and vaping can cause dry mouth. It also reduces blood flow, which can slow healing.
Sticky or Starchy Foods: Foods that are high in sugar or starch often get trapped between teeth and against the gumline. Harmful bacteria feed on them, which increases plaque buildup and the risk of gum disease.

Oral Issues That Trigger Gum Irritation

Bleeding gums may be caused by poor oral health or your teeth’s alignment.

Dry Mouth: Saliva helps wash away food particles and harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums. Dry mouth keeps that needed saliva from forming.
Gingivitis: Inflamed gum tissue that’s indicated by red, swollen gums and bleeding when flossing.
Misaligned Bite: When your bite isn’t aligned properly, it can place extra force on some teeth over others. This can put extra pressure on the gums and trigger bleeding.
Periodontitis: Inflamed tissue that extends into the ligaments and jawbones that can lead to tooth loss or severe shifting.
Tartar Buildup: Tartar is a hard, scratchy substance that can irritate gums as it rubs against them.

Systemic Health Issues That Increase the Risk of Bleeding Gums

Sometimes, bleeding gums are tied to health issues that occur beyond your mouth. You have to treat those health issues in order to stop inflammation in your gums.

Diabetes: When your blood sugar levels aren’t properly balanced, inflammation triggers throughout your body. This inflammation can impact your gums, too. Dry mouth is also a common symptom of diabetes.
Excessive Stress: Your body’s stress response includes increasing inflammation. When inflammation increases, it impacts your gum health.
Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes like imbalances, menopause, and pregnancy can also impact gum health. When you’re pregnant, blood flow increases, which can lead to bleeding gums. The issues go away when the hormones are regulated again.
Medication Side Effects: Blood thinners and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase blood flow, which can increase the risk of bleeding gums. Some medications also trigger dry mouth, including antidepressants and antihistamines.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamin C and vitamin K impact how well your body heals and how well your blood clots. This can make gums bleed more.

Steps to Take to Heal Bleeding Gums

How can you help your gums heal and stop bleeding when you’re brushing or flossing?

Brush at a 45-Degree Angle.

Where your teeth meet your gumline, brush at a 45-degree angle to keep the bristles from pressing into the gums and causing abrasions to delicate gum tissue.

Drink Plenty of Water Between Meals

Drink plenty of water between meals. This is especially helpful if you’re prone to dry mouth. Water can do the same thing as your saliva does.

Ensure You’re Getting Enough Vitamin C and K

Ask your doctor for guidance on determining if you are vitamin C or K deficient. If you are, make sure you’re increasing those vitamins by eating foods rich in them, such as citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and strawberries.

Floss Gently

Floss your teeth gently. Never floss so hard that the strand snaps against your gums.

Purchase a Soft or Extra-Soft Toothbrush

Avoid hard or medium-bristled toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads. Softer bristles help reduce damage to the enamel.

Rinse With Warm Saline Water and Antimicrobial Rinses

Before you brush, rinse with warm saline water. Antimicrobial rinses are also helpful, but make sure they contain fluoride. If they don’t, wait an hour after brushing to rinse. Don’t use it too soon and rinse away any fluoride that’s sitting on your teeth.

Switch to an Electric Toothbrush

Invest in an electric toothbrush. Many have gum-care settings that help you avoid brushing too hard. If you do apply too much pressure, the light on the toothbrush handle alerts you to ease up.

Use a Water Flosser

Finally, consider using a water flosser instead of dental floss. It can help remove more plaque from your gumline and between your teeth.

When Should You See a Dentist?

Have you noticed that your gums are still bleeding two weeks later? Do you notice other signs of dental issues like swollen gums, pus, bad breath, or loose teeth? If so, see a dentist ASAP. Sage Dental has multiple offices available for emergency dental care.

Your dentist will examine your teeth, review X-rays to check for decay or bone loss, and create a dental care plan to stop the bleeding and help preserve your teeth.

If you haven’t had a dental cleaning and examination recently, it’s also important to schedule an appointment. You only get one set of teeth. Keep them healthy for a lifetime with regular dental cleanings and examinations.