Why Do I Have Bleeding Gums?

Do you notice signs of red or pink when you rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth? If so, you may be experiencing bleeding gums. Many things can cause bleeding gums. The culprit could be something as simple as a small piece of food that is trapped between the teeth and has caused irritation. If you regularly experience bleeding gums, it can be an indication that you have a problem with your oral health. Bleeding gums can occur for one of the following reasons:

Poor Oral Hygiene
If you do not brush and floss your teeth as recommended, you may notice a problem with bleeding gums. Bleeding gums can be caused by brushing and flossing too roughly. It can also be caused if you are not brushing and flossing your teeth well enough. If you are unsure how to clean your teeth properly, we are happy to help you during your next appointment.

Gum Disease
This common condition affects approximately half of American adults during some part of their lifetime. Gum disease can remain undetected due to the lack of warning signs. One of the few signs that may indicate a problem is bleeding gums.

Medications
You might be surprised to learn the number of medications that can cause bleeding gums or may cause your gums to bleed more often. If you have recently started a new medication, be sure to mention it during your next visit to our office. You can also read the side effects to see if bleeding gums is listed.

If you experience bleeding gums, it is important not to panic, but you should visit us soon. If you are in Bozeman, MT or the surrounding area, we recommend calling our office to schedule an appointment. We can perform an examination, determine the exact cause, and recommend a treatment plan. We look forward to helping get your oral health back on track.