Is Bleeding Normal When You Brush Your Teeth?
Do your gums bleed when brushing and are it normal?
The short answer is no, but it’s important to understand why your teeth may be bleeding so you can take action before your oral health deteriorates. Bleeding when you brush can be a sign of a serious oral health condition, which if ignored could develop into a serious disease or tooth loss.
Plaque
One of the biggest causes of bleeding gums is the build-up of plaque along the gum line, which can harden into tartar and aggravate your gums. Once tartar has formed it can be hard to remove without professional help and will continue to encourage the build-up of plaque until it is tackled. Once the tartar is removed, however, a strong oral care routine can help prevent the build-up of plaque in the future.
Gum Disease
Caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar, gum disease comes in two stages, both of which can lead to bleeding gums. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is where plaque has infected the gums and caused swollen gums, bleeding during brushing and bad breath. Bleeding is exacerbated when gum disease develops into periodontitis, which includes symptoms such as inflammation of the tissue around the teeth and shrinking of the gums resulting in loose teeth.
Brushing Technique
It’s also possible that your bleeding is simply the result of using the wrong brushes or floss for your teeth, or perhaps you’re brushing too hard and damaging your gums. A simple fix to this problem is to visit your dentist or hygienist and ask them to check both your equipment and your technique, to ensure you’re looking after your teeth correctly.
