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6 Tips to Help You Treat Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums can be caused for many reasons, and how you treat them will depend on the cause.

Gingivitis, gum disease, or aggressive tooth brushing are a few reasons why gums might bleed. Learn about common causes of bleeding gums and how you can treat them.

How to Treat Bleeding Gums

The first way to fix and prevent bleeding gums is to practice good oral hygiene. This means your child should brush his or her teeth twice a day, floss every day, and avoid sugary foods and drinks.

Wondering exactly how to brush properly in order to avoid inflamed, swollen and bleeding gums? Here are some helpful tips.

  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a size that fits your child’s mouth
  • Start at a 45-degree angle
  • Using short, tooth-wide strokes, move the toothbrush back and forth gently
  • Brush the outer, inner and chewing surfaces
  • Use up and down strokes to brush the front teeth
  • Be sure to brush the tongue

Why Are My Child’s Gums Bleeding?  

Many people experience bleeding gums when they floss or brush their teeth too hard. They may think brushing very hard removes more plaque, but in reality, they could be doing damage to delicate gum tissue.

Gingivitis is another, more serious cause of bleeding gums. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease, which begins with bacterial growth in the mouth and can lead to tooth loss.

If bacteria is not removed by flossing and brushing, it turns into a hard, sticky substance called plaque. The plaque can form tartar, and both can cause inflammation and swelling.

Luckily, gingivitis is preventable and reversible. Daily flossing and brushing combined with regular trips to the dentist can help gums heal and stop bleeding.

Sometimes, certain medications like blood thinners can cause gums to bleed easily. Stress can also cause inflammation, as well as smoking cigarettes and sharing cups or utensils containing bacteria from someone else’s mouth.

Get Treatment for Bleeding Gums at Kool Smiles

If you are concerned your child has bleeding gums, make an appointment at your local Kool Smiles office or give us a call.

With over 120 locations in the United States, we an help you determine what is making your child’s gums bleed and help you stop the problem.

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Sources:

Medline Plus: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003062.htm

Mouth Healthy: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gingivitis-periodontal-disease

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#whatCauses

Colgate: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/plaque-and-tartar