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20

Oct

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Why Do My Gums Bleed When you Floss

Why do my gums bleed when you floss? Find answer here.

Maybe you spotted bright crimson blood while flossing your teeth at home. Or perhaps your dental hygienist informed you that your gums were bleeding during your previous dental cleaning. Regardless, your gums bleed when you floss, and you're wondering if you're doing something wrong.

Bleeding is typically a symptom of damage. So, if you observe blood when flossing, you may be inclined to quit. That's a typical reaction, but most of the time, bleeding during flossing indicates that you should floss more.

Bleeding gums are one of the most prevalent signs of periodontal disease, a dangerous oral condition that can lead to tooth loss, tooth pain and other issues. If your gums are bleeding during flossing, it's time to take control of your dental hygiene.

Key Points


Consult Your Dentist for Bleeding Gums: Bleeding gums can be caused by a variety of factors, including a new flossing practice and more serious illnesses such as gum disease. It is vital to contact a dentist near you for a complete evaluation.

Common Causes of Bleeding Gums: Several reasons can contribute to gums bleed when you floss, including gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), poor diet, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, inappropriate brushing or flossing procedures, and dental appliances.

Preventive and Professional Care: Regular dental check-ups and dental care are critical for preventing gum disease and associated bleeding. Dentists can treat existing gum disease with scaling and root planing, as well as provide tailored advice.

Patients frequently come to dentists and wonder, "Why do my gums bleed when I floss?" The answer is different for everyone. gums bleed when you floss can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from benign to dangerous. If you have bleeding gums, don't think there's anything wrong. Make an appointment with your dentist for a teeth and gums examination.

5 Reasons Gums Bleed When You Floss


gums bleed when you floss can occur for a variety of reasons, and the reason your gums bleed when you floss is determined by several factors. How long has the bleeding occurred? Have you made any modifications to your diet or medications? Are you suffering symptoms of a medical condition? Are you at a time of life when your hormones are changing?

A complete dental evaluation is the first step in determining the cause of your bleeding gums. The dentist may ask you numerous questions to determine whether you have one of the following common reasons for bleeding gums.

1- A Normal Response to a New Flossing Routine


It could be the most common reason of gums bleed when you floss. If you have never flossed your teeth before or have stopped flossing for an extended period and then resumed flossing, you may develop bleeding gums. Flossing normally strengthens the gums, preventing bleeding; but, if you have missed this activity, the gums may become inflamed and more prone to bleeding.

Continue flossing daily for the next week to see if your gums bleed or cease. If the bleeding has stopped, it could be due to a new flossing routine. However, even if the gum bleeding stops, you should report it. Gum bleeding is an essential sign that your dentist should be aware of, as a new flossing routine is not necessarily the cause.

2- Gingivitis or Periodontitis


Even if your gums stop bleeding after you start flossing, you should still see your dentist or an emergency dentistry facility. You could have gingivitis or periodontitis, both types of gum disease that occur when plaque and tartar build up along the gum line and infect the gums. Failure to floss can result in these deadly gum disorders, so don't overlook the warning signals.

Gingivitis usually causes only minor redness and occasional bleeding when brushing or flossing. As a result, too many people ignore it, yet if not treated, gingivitis can proceed to periodontitis. In this later stage, the illness causes pockets around the gum line that harbor germs and exacerbate the infection. Periodontitis ultimately results in bone and teeth loss.

While dentists may cure gum disease, preventing it is less expensive and painful for you.

3- Hormonal Changes


Hormones can affect more than only growth. When hormones change dramatically, gums may become more prone to bleeding and can be a reason of gums bleed when you floss. Some of the most prevalent times when people may have an increased risk of bleeding gums are:

  • ● Pregnancy
  • ● Menopause
  • ● Menstruation
  • ● Puberty
  • ● Hormonal birth control

Progesterone causes gum bleeding by increasing blood flow throughout the body, especially to the gums. If you experience bleeding due to hormonal changes, you may require more frequent dental appointments to prevent gum disease and more frequent professional dental cleanings to eliminate plaque.

4- Taking certain medications.


Blood thinners weaken clotting and may raise the risk of bleeding from any cause. Chemotherapy is also known to cause mouth ulcers and bleeding gums.

Consult your doctor to see if any of the medications you are taking can cause bleeding gums. Also, tell your dentist if you are taking any medications so they can determine the cause of your gum bleeding.

5- Improper Brushing or Flossing


Brushing and flossing are both beneficial, yet both can be done incorrectly, causing complications. Brushing too forcefully or with old, worn bristles can damage your enamel and hurt your gums.

Similarly, scraping too hard between your gums with floss, especially if you've recently modified your flossing technique, might result in bleeding. The best method to resolve this issue is to consult your dentist for individualized guidance on brushing and flossing properly to avoid gums bleed when you floss.

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