Do your gums look reddish in certain areas? Do you spit out blood as you brush your teeth? These are some of the tell-tale signs of bleeding gums.
Bleeding gums are caused by brushing too hard, eating hard foods that injure the gums, or plaque and bacteria buildup.
How do you handle bleeding gums, you might wonder?
Below are simple solutions to help stop bleeding gums.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The introduction states that bleeding gums are caused by plaque buildup that extends to the gum. Plaque results from poor oral hygiene.
Practicing good oral hygiene will help stop bleeding gums. A South Perth dentist advises brushing teeth twice daily, at least for two minutes. Ensure you brush all parts of your teeth and mouth. Good oral hygiene also involves flossing once daily to remove food particles from your teeth.
Using a good toothbrush makes a difference. The bristles shouldn’t be too hard that they injure your gums, nor should they be so soft that they are ineffective in removing food particles and bacteria. Lastly, ensure you replace your toothbrush every three months.
2. Increase The Intake Of Vitamins
Vitamin C and K can help stop bleeding gums.
One of the causes of bleeding gums is infection. It becomes severe if your body can’t fight off the infection-causing bacteria. Vitamin C will help your body fight off bacteria that cause infection. Some sources of vitamin C are carrots and oranges, with supplements also being an option.
Prolonged bleeding occurs as a result of the blood’s inability to clot. It’s often the result of vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K helps with the blood-clotting process, minimizing the extent of bleeding and eventually stopping it.
You can source vitamin K from leafy vegetables like spinach and collard. Supplements are also an option.
Ensure you take the daily recommended amounts. A doctor can assist you in figuring this out.
- Apply Cold Compress
One of the sources of bleeding gums is trauma. A cold compress will work wonders in stopping any bleeding.
The cold property will constrict your blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the affected area. The result is reduced bleeding, which eventually stops.
This solution only requires pressing a cold item against the affected part of your gums. You can use an ice bag, frozen vegetables, or a damp cloth. Ensure you apply the cold compress for approximately 15 minutes several times a day.
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a substance you’ll commonly find in homes. The main reason is its antibacterial properties.
Hydrogen peroxide can help stop bleeding by reducing inflammation.
All you need to do is rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide after brushing. It’s an active ingredient in most antibacterial mouthwashes. Therefore, find a mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide to help stop gum bleeding.
- Use Warm Salty Water
Salt is antibacterial and will aid in stopping bleeding gums. It’ll reduce the mouth bacteria that cause plaque and gum inflammation. In addition, it’ll help heal any injuries in your mouth caused by eating hard foods that pierce into the skin.
A good saline solution has approximately eight ounces of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt. Rinse your mouth with the solution for at least 30 seconds; ensure you swish it in your mouth. Do this several times a day for effective results. You can also opt to add baking soda to the remedy.
- Stop Smoking
Smoking is a practice shied upon by health practitioners. It greatly contributes to bleeding gums. It’s why you must kick the habit if you want to stop bleeding gums.
Smoking increases the number of bacteria in the mouth, damages enamel, and weakens immunity. It also leads to bacterial plaque that extends to the gums, causing infections that the body may not be able to fight off effectively due to weakened immunity.
To stop smoking effectively, do it gradually to minimize withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. Assistance from a doctor on the best ways to quit smoking will be a good measure.
Conclusion
Bleeding gums is a dental issue you can manage successfully. The ease of management extends to the fact that there are simple homemade solutions you can use. The discussion above highlights each option, guiding how to execute them for problem-solving. Consider implementing them to help solve your gum-bleeding issues.
However, it’s best to prevent the occurrence. A regular visit to your dentist will keep gum issues at bay. After all, prevention is better than cure.