Why Do Your Teeth Bleed When You Brush Them? Causes & Treatment

Noticing a hint of pink or red on your toothbrush or in the sink while brushing can be a truly disturbing experience. While this may feel like a common problem, often dismissed with a shrug, let us assure you that gum bleeding is anything but normal.

At Lynnwood Dental Studio, we are often asked questions like, “Is it normal for gums to bleed when brushing?” or “Why do my teeth bleed when I brush them?” The simple answer is: bleeding gums are not normal and can often be a sign of gum disease, which, if ignored, can lead to more serious health complications.

This is your comprehensive guide to the symptoms, causes, and the best treatment or solutions for bleeding gums. We at Lynnwood Dental Studio are committed to your healthier, blood-free smile.

Understanding the Symptoms: What Bleeding Gums Really Mean

The human body has an outstanding signaling system. Pain, bleeding, and swelling are often signs of problems. Gums bleeding during brushing is a common symptom of inflammation and infection.

Inflammation: Your gums (gingiva) are a delicate tissue. Healthy gums are firm and a pale pink color. A gum inflammation is often a sign of bacterial infection at the gumline.

Increased Blood Flow: To fight the bacteria, your body sends more blood to the affected gums. This is why the gums turn red or purplish and become swollen.

Capillary Fragility: The increased blood volume and pressure make the soft blood vessels (capillaries) in the gum tissue more fragile.

Tissue Crack: Even the little pressure from a toothbrush can break these fragile capillaries, resulting in blood in the mouth, brush, or sink.

In most cases, gum inflammation or bleeding is a sign of disease and should not be taken lightly.

What Causes Bleeding Gums: Why Do Your Teeth Bleed When You Brush Them?

1. Periodontal (gum) Disease

Bleeding gums are more often than not a sign of periodontal (gum) disease. It happens in two stages:

1. Gingivitis: The Reversible Stage

Gum disease starts with Gingivitis, the mildest and most basic form. Gingivitis occurs when bacterial plaque builds up along the gumline due to irregular brushing. This can irritate the tissue, causing inflammation, gum bleeding, and swelling. The good news is that Gingivitis can be fully treated with proper oral hygiene and professional cleaning.

2. Periodontitis: The Advanced Stage

If ignored, Gingivitis advances to Periodontitis, which is often irreversible. This is when plaque hardens into tartar, causing chronic irritation, inflammation, and shrinkage of the tissue holding the gums to the teeth, creating infected pockets. The infection slowly eats up the underlying jawbone.

Symptoms at this stage include excessive bleeding, bad breath, shrinking gums, and eventually, loose teeth. Periodontitis cannot be fully reversed, but treatments such as deep cleaning can prevent bone loss. Immediate action is vital to minimize damage.

Other less common but equally alarming causes of bleeding gums while brushing include poor oral hygiene, certain medical conditions or medication, and loose-fitting dental appliances.

2. Poor Oral Hygiene Technique

Aggressive Brushing: The myth that scrubbing your teeth vigorously will make or keep them white is untrue. Using a hard-bristled brush or applying excessive pressure while brushing can physically damage the gum tissue, leading to bleeding. The chances of bleeding are even more if there’s existing inflammation caused by plaque.

Inconsistent Flossing: Your gums might bleed initially for the first few days when you start flossing regularly after a long break. This is because floss removes built-up plaque. It’s usually nothing to worry about.

3. Medical Conditions and Medications

Hormonal Changes: Specific conditions such as puberty, menstruation, or, most commonly, pregnancy (known as pregnancy gingivitis) can increase blood flow to the gums, making them more likely to bleed.

Systemic Diseases: Conditions such as diabetes can affect your body's ability to fight infection, increasing the risk of periodontitis and constant bleeding.

Blood Thinners: Certain medications can reduce the blood's clotting ability, making bleeding more noticeable and persistent.

Nutritional Deficiencies: A severe lack of Vitamin C or Vitamin K can decrease collagen production, leading to easy bleeding of the gums and other tissues.

4. Poorly Fitting Dental Appliances

Dentures, partials, crowns, or fillings that are loose or do not fit properly can create sharp edges or gaps that can rub against and damage the gum tissue, causing chronic irritation or inflammation.

Gum Bleeding Treatment and Prevention

The most effective solution to bleeding gums is a combination of at-home care and professional treatment (cleaning) at a dentist’s office.

1. The Professional Treatment

It’s best to visit your dentist before Gingivitis advances to Periodontitis. Here’s what you can expect during this visit:

The Comprehensive Examination: The dentist will perform a thorough check of your gums and the problem. This involves using a probe to measure the depth of the pockets to determine whether it’s gingivitis (pocket depth less than 3mm) or periodontitis (deeper pockets).

Professional Cleaning: If you have gingivitis, a standard professional cleaning that removes all plaque and tartar should eliminate any irritation, allowing the inflammation to heal within a few days.

Deep Cleaning: If periodontitis is diagnosed, the dentist will recommend a deeper cleaning. This involves thoroughly cleaning the tooth roots below the gum line to remove the hardened tartar and infected tissue. This will allow the gums to reattach to the tooth naturally over the next few days.

2. At-Home Care

Oral hygiene routine at home is equally important.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a high-quality electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor.

Use gentle, short, circular motions rather than aggressive back-and-forth brushing. Clean the gumline with care. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.

Recommended: Brushing Teeth at Night vs. Morning

Floss regularly or use an interdental cleaner once a day. Flossing is crucial for cleaning the tooth surface that brushing might miss. Remember: The initial bleeding when you start flossing is temporary and is a sign it's working.

Use a dentist-recommended mouthwash once a day to remove and prevent bacteria.

3. Lifestyle and Maintenance

Maintain regular dentist visits. If you've had gum disease, we may recommend professional cleanings every couple of months to effectively manage any new plaque buildup.

Follow a balanced diet. Take a lot of fruits and vegetables. Avoiding refined sugars, fast foods, and spices reduces the risk of oral bacteria.

Drinking water is equally important. It helps maintain saliva, washes away food debris, and keeps your mouth hydrated.

Avoid smoking. Smoking can multiply the risk of severe gum disease.

Concerned About Bleeding Gums? Call Us Today for a Consultation

Bleeding gums can be a sign of an infection or gum disease. Left unchecked, it can lead to persistent bleeding, chronic bad breath, painful gum damage, and ultimately, tooth loss. At Lynnwood Dental Studio, we are committed to restoring your smile with the most appropriate treatment based on your condition. Take charge of your oral health. Call us today!