Here’s Why Your Gums Bleed When Flossing & How You Can Treat It

If you’re new to flossing, you might be prone to bleeding gums. But why does that happen? Is it a common occurrence? Should your gums bleed every time you floss? The answer to all of these questions is simple: No.

Your gums shouldn’t constantly bleed when flossing. Instead, with time, you should be able to get better control over the thread. Nonetheless, there are many reasons why your gums could be bleeding while flossing. In this blog, we’ll uncover the causes and treatment to prevent any blood from spilling out.

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss My Teeth

Gums bleeding during flossing isn’t a big deal, especially if it stops after some time. Nevertheless, just to be safe, it’s better to get a professional dental evaluation as a precaution. Moreover, seeing blood just means you need to upkeep your dental hygiene routine and floss more often.

That is if you’re new to it. For people who are used to the thread, it might raise some concerns.

Either way, make sure to get it checked for periodontal diseases such as periodontitis or gingivitis. Here are some of the primary causes of bleeding gums:

1. Flossing with an improper form or technique.
2. New to dental flossing
3. Internal Vitamin Deficiency
4. Side effects of certain medications that could be thinning out your blood
5. Poor diet lacking proper nutrition
6. Gingivitis
7. Periodontitis
8. Hormonal Imbalance due to pregnancy
9. Smoking
10. Drug Abuse
11. HIV Infection
12. Diabetes
13. Autoimmune Diseases

How To Stop Gums From Bleeding When Flossing

Despite being a common phenomenon, leaving your gums to rot and bleed is not the way to go. Instead, you can try to find preventive methods to stop the bleeding. For instance, if you’re flossing too hard, perhaps try using a gentler hand. Or, if you have a pre-existing injury on your gums, be careful not to run the thread over it.

In addition, it is important you identify why exactly this happens. Find out the root cause of your gums’ bleeding, and then move on to the solution that suits you best. Mentioned below are some soothing remedies:

• Improve Your Oral Hygiene. Brush every day in the morning after having breakfast and at night before you go to bed. This will guarantee your teeth and gums stay strong and aren’t susceptible to bleeding.
• Use a Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse Dissolve one part hydrogen peroxide (of 3% concentration) with three parts water to make an antibacterial mouth rinse. This will help to treat sore or inflamed gums.
• Increase Your Vitamin Intake (c & k) Incorporate vitamin C and vitamin K into your diet to prevent your blood from thinning out. Not to mention, it’s a great way to boost your immune system and fight off all sorts of gum infections.
• Apply a Cold Compress If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area. Sometimes, the reason gums bleed out is simply because of an injury rather than a scary gum disease.
• Use a Salt Water Solution Half a teaspoon salt in warm water can work wonders for the smallest inflammation or injury. This rinsing solution can help to reduce bacteria and put a stop to your bleeding gums.

The Final Takeaway

In conclusion, if your gums bleed when flossing, it could be due to myriad reasons. Some might require immediate dental assistance, while others could be because of minor irritation. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for more information on gums and periodontal health, visit Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry or give us a call at (281) 937-7530 today.