If you’ve ever seen a bit of blood in your saliva while you’re brushing or flossing your teeth, you might wonder if this is normal or if it should be a cause for concern. Well, the answer is that it’s both. Many people experience bleeding gums at some point in their lives, and a few infrequent occurrences aren’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong; with some minor modifications to the methods of brushing and flossing, the problem might abate. If you notice bleeding from your gums more regularly, or if bleeding gums appear and subside repeatedly, this could be a sign of a more significant issue and requires professional attention. It’s not a dental emergency, but you shouldn’t delay in making an appointment with your dentist for a comprehensive evaluation.
One common reason people’s gums bleed periodically is improper brushing and flossing, which could mean brushing with bristles that are too hard, brushing or flossing too aggressively, or brushing in the wrong direction. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush, brushing horizontally across the gums, or brushing or flossing too hard could cause damage to the gum tissue, irritating them and causing them to bleed. When patients modify their hygiene habits and use the proper tools effectively, bleeding subsides. Inadequate oral hygiene can also make the mouth more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, however, and gum disease is another culprit when it comes to bleeding gums. Unfortunately, simply modifying brushing and flossing methods won’t heal gum disease, but the good news is that a thorough cleaning from a dental professional can help restore the gums to health and stop them from bleeding.
Gum disease affects most US adults at one point or another. In many cases, mild gum disease can be addressed with regular dental checkups and cleanings, and more advanced gum disease may require a special dental deep cleaning to reverse its effects. Left untreated, however, gum disease progresses and begins to destroy the connective tissues in the mouth, developing into periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases the risk and pain of bleeding gums and introduces risks like dental abscesses, damage to the jawbone and tooth loss. When left untreated, periodontal disease has also been shown to increase the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases and life-threatening systemic infections.
While early gum disease may be largely asymptomatic, one of the more common symptoms that often does appear is bleeding gums. In the moment, this may not be a concern, but if you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing for more than a week or two, or if it appears on more than three or four occasions in a month, call your dentist and make an appointment. If a thorough cleaning doesn’t nip the problem in the bud, or if your dentist determines that your gum disease has progressed, you may get a referral to a periodontal specialist for additional treatment. This could involve a routine deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing, or it might entail more invasive, extensive procedures. The sooner you seek dental intervention for bleeding gums, the easier treatment will be, and the more likely you will be to have positive long-term outcomes.