Why Do Gums Bleed While Flossing?

Do your gums bleed when you floss? Well, you’re not alone. This is a common condition among a majority of people that may even deter them from carrying out a proper dental routine. Your gums may bleed for a couple of reasons, and the only way to stop it is to determine exactly why they are bleeding. It will help you make the necessary adjustments. Here are some of the reasons your gums may bleed while you floss.

• Flossing too Hard

While flossing your teeth, dental plaque is a soft substance that only requires minimum pressure to remove it. If your gums bleed while you floss or even brush your teeth, the first thing you should consider is how hard you brush or floss. Also, your gums can bleed if you choose to floss more than twice a day or if you do it against your gums.

• You have not Flossed for a While

Your gums might bleed if you have not flossed for quite some time. This is due to bacteria build-up for not cleaning up your teeth. Bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, which will easily bleed while flossing. Therefore, it is important to floss at least once a day.

• Gum Disease

Gum disease is another common cause of bleeding gums. It develops when plaque is allowed to sit along the gum line for a long time, causing bacteria to act on the gum tissue. When bleeding is due to gum disease, the gums may also appear red swollen, and is also tender to the touch. If gum disease is the cause for your bleeding gums when flossing, visit your dentist, and he will help you develop a treatment plan. However, you must back up the treatment with proper oral hygiene.

• Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with a lot of body changes due to hormonal fluctuations. These hormones alter the way your body reacts to the bacteria that cause gum disease. Therefore, pregnancy increases a woman’s chances of developing gum disease. It also causes the gums to be tender, red, and swollen, making them bleed easily while flossing. Once you realize you are pregnant, it is important to visit your dentist for a regular check-up and advice on how to take care of your teeth during the pregnancy.

• Medication

Different medications are always meant to help different organs of the body. However, there are some come with side effects of other body parts. One of the commonly affected areas by most medications is the gums. With these medications, minor irritation of the gums will result in bleeding. Therefore, flossing your teeth or even brushing them is enough irritation to cause bleeding.

Bottom Line

Flossing is not negotiable if you are looking to maintain good dental hygiene. Irrespective of the reason for your bleeding, flossing at least once a day will eliminate plaque and bacteria on the gum line.

Additionally, visiting your dentist is an important part of oral hygiene. Visit us at Springvale Dental Clinic for a dental check-up. Our dentist will be in a position to diagnose the actual reason for your gum bleeding and recommend an appropriate treatment.

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