We all know it’s important to keep your teeth healthy during braces treatment, but it’s just as important to keep your gums healthy. Bleeding gums can signal the start of gum disease, which can delay braces treatment. If you catch it early enough, there are ways to prevent or reverse gum disease.
At Smith & Davis Orthodontics, we want you to have the best results from your braces treatment. Part of that depends on keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. If your gums are bleeding with braces, it could delay your treatment. Here are some signs of gum disease and how to prevent it.
Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
“Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth? Why do my gums bleed when I floss?” Bloody gums after brushing and flossing can be worrisome, but there is usually a simple explanation.
Bleeding gums usually result from one of two causes: Irritation from excessive pressure or injury to gum tissue or the beginning stages of gum disease.
Food Under the Gums
Your gums may bleed if irritated by food stuck between them and your teeth. If this happens, work the food out carefully with dental floss, then brush well to clean the area.
If the piece of food is too deep, contact your dentist for a deep cleaning. Otherwise, the irritation could lead to an infection of the gums.
Injury
Gums may bleed through injury, from an accidental poke with a fork to being hit in the mouth. If the damage is minor, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe your gums and keep the area clean. Your gums should heal from minor wounds in a few days.
If the injury is large or bleeds, you must see a doctor or dentist. Your injury may require stitches.
Excessive Pressure While Brushing
Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can cause your gums to bleed. Use a soft-bristled brush, and don’t push hard on the brush. The bristles will do most of the work cleaning the plaque away.
This also goes for electric toothbrushes. Use a soft-bristled head for your electric toothbrush, and don’t push against your teeth. The toothbrush’s motion will do the scrubbing for you. Apply gentle pressure when you brush.
Excessive Pressure While Flossing
Flossing too hard can also cause your gums to bleed. You want to move the floss back and forth gently. This includes going under the gum line against the teeth. The idea is to scour the teeth and gums but not saw at them.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause your gums to bleed. Some people experience gum bleeding during pregnancy. Others have bleeding gums as a symptom of diabetes.
Certain medications — particularly blood thinners — can cause your gums to bleed. Talk to your doctor if the problem persists. He may be able to recommend a different medication with fewer side effects.
Finally, certain medical conditions can cause gum bleeding, from leukemia to vitamin C deficiency. Certain genetic conditions, including hemophilia, can cause bleeding gums.
Bad Dentures
Ill-fitting dentures can also cause your gums to bleed. Your dentist can adjust your dentures to reduce irritation. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about making the proper adjustments.
If your dentist cannot find a cause for your bleeding gums, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Bleeding gums can signal an underlying medical condition that has yet to be diagnosed.
What Causes Bleeding Gums? Gum Disease
You rarely find gums bleeding for no reason. If it’s not the reasons above, then gum disease may be why your gums are bleeding.
Gum disease starts with irritation and light bleeding of the gums. It progresses to receding gums and eventually leads to tooth loss and infection. This first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, usually caused by poor dental hygiene.
Here are some of the early signs of gum disease:
- Bleeding
- Soreness
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Bad Breath
- Loose gums
Gum disease advances without proper brushing and flossing. The next stage is periodontal disease. This stage can lead to more painful gums and usually requires intervention from your doctor or dentist.
Symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Loose teeth
- Infection
- Changes in your bite
- Pain
- Severe bleeding and redness
The last stage of gum disease is advanced periodontal disease. Advanced periodontal disease usually leads to tooth loss because the gums that support your teeth are no longer attached.
Symptoms of advanced periodontal disease include:
- Severe pain
- Infection
- Pus pockets around the teeth
- Tooth loss
- Bone loss
Bleeding Gums With Braces
Bleeding gums with braces is serious and can delay your treatment. Your braces are loosening your teeth so they can move. Gum disease could cause your teeth to become too loose and could lead to tooth loss.
Contact Smith & Davis Orthodontics and let us know about any bleeding gums. We may send you to your dentist for a thorough gum and teeth cleaning. We will then give you specific instructions on proper brushing and flossing.
You’ll need to follow those instructions. Advanced gum disease may mean we must stop your treatment temporarily until your gums tighten up and become healthy again.
How to Stop Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed with brushing? There are ways to stop your gums from bleeding before they get worse. The easiest way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss properly.
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily (preferably brush after every meal with braces). Do not apply excessive pressure. Brush for at least two minutes at a time, scrubbing every surface of each tooth and along the gum line. Do not press hard against your gums.
Floss with dental floss at least once a day, cleaning between teeth and just below the gum line. You can use a water flosser in addition to dental floss, but it should not be a substitute. Water flossers lack the scrubbing power of dental floss, which removes plaque better. But water flossers can help scrub away plaque and food particles in between regular flossing.
Water flossers can also provide relief to bleeding gums. The water will rinse away plaque that causes gum disease, and the water stream may even soothe your sore gums.
You can also rinse your mouth several times a day with warm salt water. This reduces inflammation and discomfort and promotes healing.
If your bleeding persists, talk with us, your dentist, or your doctor. There may be underlying causes that need to be addressed.
Gum Treatment With Braces in Rogers, AR
Bleeding gums are easily treatable in the early stages. Later stages of gum disease can cause problems with braces or Invisalign treatment.
Schedule an appointment with Smith & Davis Orthodontics if you suspect you have gum disease with braces. We will devise a plan to get you on the road to recovery and get your treatment back on track!