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Bleeding gums is generally considered ‘normal’ and could just be a symptom of vigorous brushing, however, this is not always the case and could in actual fact be a sign of something more serious such as gum disease which is the leading cause of tooth loss and discolouration.

The three most common causes of bleeding gums are;

1. Plaque which causes Gingivitis

   This is inflammation of the gums which causes the gums to become red and swollen causing bleeding when you brush. This is the first sign of gum disease.

2. Over brushing

   In the quest to keep teeth clean you may be tempted to over brush your teeth, this may be harmful and resultantly cause bleeding. Ensure you are the correct type of toothbrush we recommend one with soft nylon bristles and brush your teeth in gentle circular motions to which will help to clean the teeth and gums without causing harm to the tooth enamel.

3. Pregnancy

   Hormonal changes caused during pregnancy make your gums more susceptible to a build-up of plaque leading to inflammation and bleeding this is also caused pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.

Other less common causes of bleeding gums are;

• Vitamin deficiency
• Immune deficiency
• Menopause

If you think that you may be experiencing any of the problems discussed above, please book an appointment with your dentist for a check-up.