Stop the pain from bleeding gums and consult with a dentist
Dealing with painful, bleeding gums? Learn some good tips for stopping your pain and improving your oral health.
Ouch! Yuck! What is that sore, stinging feeling and unpleasant taste in your mouth? If you've ever experienced bleeding, inflamed gums (also known as gingivitis), you don't need us to tell you what a nuisance they are. Since taking good care of your mouth is a must, think of your irritated gums as a sign that you need to do some work on your oral health routine. What else should you be doing to deal with them? Here are some helpful tips that should have you feeling better soon.
Do
- schedule an appointment with your dentist right away for a cleaning
- brush two or three times a day and floss
- investigate underlying health issues
- make an appointment to see a top orthodontist if your teeth aren't well aligned
- maintain a nutritious and balanced diet
Don't
- panic
- brush or floss too hard
- ignore your symptoms
- ignore your oral health care
- smoke or use other tobacco products
Do schedule an appointment with your dentist right away for a cleaning
Get into the habit of routine check-ups on a regular basis. He or she can use instruments to remove plaque you haven't been able to reach on your own, evaluate your gums and teeth to make sure they're in great shape, and give you guidance on how to brush and floss successfully.
Do brush two or three times a day and floss
You should be brushing two or three times and day, and after one of those you should floss as well. If you don't like traditional dental floss, then you might try a water-flossing device (commonly referred to as a water pick or dental water jet) as an alternative.
Do investigate underlying health issues
While most cases of bleeding gums are due to insufficient plaque removal, they can occasionally signal another issue that you and a medical professional will want to address together. (This is good advice for anyone—not just people who suffer from gingivitis!)
Do make an appointment to see a top orthodontist if your teeth aren't well aligned
It's much harder to remove plaque from between teeth that are crooked or crowded, which increases the likelihood that you'll develop gingivitis. By straightening your teeth, you'll be doing your gums and the rest of yourself a huge favor.
Do maintain a nutritious and balanced diet
Making a point of eating fruits and vegetables every day will help to keep your teeth and gums in good condition—plus, they're great for your whole body and even your mind!
Do not panic
It's easy to type your condition into a search engine and scare yourself with all of the information out there, but it's impossible to accurately diagnose yourself over the internet. Let your dentist examine your gums and find out what's causing them to bleed.
Do not brush or floss too hard
If you're experiencing gingivitis, you may fear you're not cleaning your teeth effectively enough and be tempted to apply pressure. It won't help, and in fact, it'll make things worse – and sorer! It's important to be gentle but firm when you're brushing and flossing.
Do not ignore your symptoms
You might think bleeding gums are just annoying or uncomfortable, but they could be a symptom of something that needs professional care. Why take a chance? Don’t ignore your symptoms and see a dentist right away.
Do not ignore your oral health care
Whether you're putting in extra hours at work, chasing after your young kids, or both, it's easy to fall into bed without washing up at night. But that's bad news for your teeth and gums. Take your oral health seriously and be sure to brush and floss every night.
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products
As you've no doubt heard many times, they're bad for you in numerous ways. They're not good for any part of you, and that includes those delicate gums. Think of this as one more reason to quit. If you want to quit but need help, speak to your doctor about some of the options.
Summary
Bleeding gums are never any fun—but, although it might sound a little strange, try to think of them as helpful. They are your body's way of saying, “Hey, I need a little more attention and TLC from you.” Be sure you're taking good care of your oral health, and check in regularly with your dentist, orthodontist, and family doctor to make sure everything's in great shape.
