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You lean over the sink after brushing, and there it is again: a streak of pink in the foam. It’s easy to shrug off, but bleeding gums can be a sign of something more serious. They’re your body’s way of signaling an issue, and the longer you ignore it, the worse it can get.

A little blood may not feel alarming, but your gums are tied to the overall health of your teeth. Knowing what causes bleeding, what it might mean, and when to see a dentist can save you from bigger dental problems later.

Common Causes of Bleeding Gums

Most often, bleeding gums come down to plaque. When plaque clings to the gumline, it can irritate and inflame the tissue, becoming gingivitis. This condition makes your gums more fragile and prone to bleeding. If you’ve been skipping flossing, or if you’ve been brushing too hard or too quickly, your gums may develop small abrasions that bleed.

Other factors play a role, such as:

• Certain medications can thin blood and make gums bleed easier.
• Lack of vitamins C and K can weaken gum tissue.
• Hormonal shifts, especially during pregnancy or menopause, can increase gum sensitivities.
• Brushing with a stiff-bristled toothbrush can scrape and irritate otherwise healthy gums.

Gum Disease Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Bleeding can be concerning, but if there are other symptoms, you could develop gum disease. Watch for swelling, redness, tenderness, or receding gums (that pull back from your teeth). Chronic bad breath is another sign that bacteria are thriving where they shouldn’t.

If gum disease progresses to periodontic, the infection can reach deep into your tissues and the bone holding teeth in place. This turns bleeding gums into loose teeth, which makes chewing painful and could indicate a risk for tooth loss. Spotting the warning signs early gives you an advantage when seeking professional dental care.

The Role of Brushing Technique and Toothbrush Type

Sometimes bleeding gums isn’t caused by disease but by the way you brush. Scrubbing too hard can make gums sore and prone to bleeding. The same goes for using a toothbrush with hard, firm bristles. Gentle pressure and a soft-bristled toothbrush are recommended for a thorough clean that won’t cause gum damage.

Brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline, then use small circular motions instead of sawing back and forth. Add daily flossing to clear plaque from between teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. The right technique can often improve gum health within a few days.

When to See a Dentist About Bleeding Gums

An occasional spot of blood may not be cause for alarm, but consistently bleeding gums could be detrimental to your health. If your gums bleed daily, if the problem worsens, or if you notice other symptoms like receding gums or persistent bad breath, schedule a dental checkup with Fouz Family Dentistry.

We can help determine whether you’re dealing with simple irritation, gingivitis, or something more advanced. Early treatment can restore gum health, protecting your gums and teeth from long-term damage.

Gum has been around for thousands of years in various forms. Today, there are plenty of myths and facts about whether it’s good or bad for you. We’re here to lay the claims to rest and give you the information you’ve been looking for.

Gum originally came from the sap of spruce or chicle trees. People chewed it for the same reasons they chew gum today: as something enjoyable to put in the mouth and to pass the time.

Modern chewing gum, though, isn’t quite what it used to be. It’s made mostly from synthetic rubbers and artificial flavorings, meaning that it has some potential health risks that weren’t associated with original gum chewing. In fact, it’s full of plenty of ingredients that you probably didn’t know you were putting into your mouth.

• “Gum” – a rubbery base that makes the product chewy
• Resin – used to strengthen gum and make it last longer
• Fillers – what gives gum a particular texture (ex: calcium carbonate, talc)
• Preservatives – compounds that make gum have a stable shelf life (ex: butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT)
• Softeners – substances that keep gum from hardening (ex: wax, paraffin, vegetable oil)
• Sweeteners – natural sugar, corn syrup, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
• Flavorings – natural or artificial flavorings

All of these ingredients are considered food grade and deemed “safe” by the FDA; however, they aren’t often labeled well and sometimes appear as a simple “gum base” ingredient. You should decide for yourself whether or not you want to consume the ingredients in chewing gum.

Certain experts deem chewing gum to have benefits for the mouth, such as:

• Preventing cavities – Sugar-free gum can help prevent tooth decay, especially when it’s sweetened with xylitol.
• Reducing bad breath – Xylitol prevents bad bacteria growth, which is a common cause of bad breath.

It can also have negative side effects though, including:

• Causing cavities – If you chew gum with added sugar, this can be a cause of cavities.
• Plaque buildup – Sugar is dissolved by bad bacteria in your mouth, which increases plaque growth.
• Metabolic conditions – Too much sugar, even in the form of gum, can cause diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.
• Jaw problems – People who chew gum all day long often develop TMJ, or temporomandibular disorder, which causes pain, tightness, and immobility of the jaw.
• Headaches and teeth grinding – Gum chewing can also cause tension headaches and migraines, which can cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

Chewing gum here and there, especially when it’s sugar-free and made with natural ingredients, typically won’t harm your teeth. Chewing healthy gum in moderation can even help prevent cavities and rid the mouth of bad bacteria. However, if you’re choosing gums full of artificial ingredients and sugar—and chewing them from sun-up to sun-down—then it could mean a range of dental problems, such as cavities, plaque buildup, tooth decay, and jaw disorders, or even more serious metabolic disorders.

Choose your gum carefully and remember—everything in moderation.

You know how important it is to brush your teeth and to floss your teeth, but do you really need to have mouthwash, too? Many people forego using mouthwash because they feel that they are getting their teeth and gums clean enough without it. However, this could be a mistake. You will find that there are some nice benefits to using mouthwash. Let’s look at a couple of the biggest benefits to see why you should consider adding mouthwash to your oral care routine.

Helps to Provide a Full Cleaning

For starters, when you use mouthwash, it will provide you with a fuller, better clean for your mouth. Even though you are brushing your teeth and flossing, there are still areas that can’t be reached. All of those little crevices between the teeth that can’t be reached with your floss or the bristles of your brush are breeding grounds for bacteria. They can cause damage to your teeth. Using mouthwash can help to reach those areas and will improve your oral health.

Kills Germs that Cause Teeth to Decay and Provide Other Benefits

Using mouthwash, particularly mouthwash with fluoride can help to prevent cavities. It can also strengthen enamel and re-mineralize your teeth, which can stop the process of decay. Mouthwash can also help to stop plaque from building up on your teeth, which will reduce the number of bacteria on the teeth that release acids. There are also options for mouthwashes that can help with whitening your teeth. You can find different types of mouthwash that can help with different oral health needs.

Helps to Reduce Bad Breath

Of course, one of the other benefits of using mouthwash is that it can help to combat bad breath. Although it won’t kill bad breath permanently, it can help to reduce it at least temporarily. It will kill bacteria that cause odors that might still exist even after brushing and flossing. It can also be nice to have around for those times after lunch when you have an upcoming meeting that’s face to face and you don’t have time to brush. It will keep the scent of garlic out of the meeting room.

How and When to Use Mouthwash

Something that you need to remember is that using mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing. It’s an additional way to help your oral health. Typically, you will use the mouthwash twice a day when you brush and floss in the morning and evening. You could use it more often, but don’t overdo it and do not swallow it.

The alcohol and the fluoride that are in many of the mouthwashes should not be ingested in high amounts. This is especially true for children. The American Dental Association does not recommend that mouthwash is used for any children who are under six years old.

How to Choose Mouthwash

A look online or in the local grocery store or pharmacy will show you that there are many mouthwash options on the market today. What should you look for when choosing mouthwash? When you are choosing a mouthwash, one of the first things you should do is look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Sometimes your dentist will recommend you use a prescription mouthwash for certain conditions.  Talk to them and see.

You will also want to look at the other added features and benefits the particular mouthwash can offer. For example, you will likely want to have mouthwash that includes fluoride, since it is good for your teeth. You might want to find an alcohol-free mouthwash, or maybe you are looking for something that includes hydrogen peroxide for whitening. Maybe you need an option for sensitive teeth. Determine what you need and then find a mouthwash that can meet those needs.

If you are uncertain about what you should choose, you can always talk with your dentist. They can provide information on mouthwash, toothbrushes, oral care, and more. Dr Foutz can give you specific recommendations for your situation.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929