Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush My Teeth?

When you have bleeding gums, this is usually caused by plaque accumulation at the gumline. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that will attack healthy tissues around your teeth. When this builds up, your gums will become inflamed and irritated. This may cause them to bleed and cause gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Thankfully, when you have gingivitis in Bellevue, WA, it is reversible. At Premier Periodontics, we can examine your gums and offer periodontal cleanings that thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to restore your oral health.

Causes of bleeding gums

Several things can cause red, tender, or bleeding gums. The most common cause is gingivitis. Vitamin deficiencies, such as Vitamin C deficiency, can also cause bleeding gums. Increase your intake of red peppers, oranges, sweet potatoes, or carrots to help fight off this gum infection. Never ignore bleeding gums. When gum disease is left untreated, it can advance to later stages of periodontal disease that require more extensive treatment. It’s important to schedule regular appointments at Premier Periodontics to detect gum disease early on and learn how to stop your gums from bleeding. Contact one of our Washington locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond to schedule an appointment.

Who is most at risk for developing gum disease?

Some of our patients may be more at risk of developing gum disease. These risk factors include:

Genetics: Some people are predisposed to develop periodontal disease.
Age: As you age, your chance of getting gum disease increases.
Stress: Stress is connected to periodontal disease because it makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infection.
Smoking: Smokers have twice the risk of developing gum disease.
Poor oral hygiene: When you don’t have an efficient at-home oral hygiene routine, you’re more likely to develop plaque buildup, leading to gum disease.

Common symptoms of gingivitis

Bleeding gums may be the only symptom that you experience when you develop gingivitis. Some other symptoms include:

Red, swollen, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath
Loose teeth
Changes with your bite

Gingivitis can be easily treated when it’s caught early. Our periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics can deep clean your teeth to ensure that your gum disease doesn’t progress to more advanced stages. Once gum erosion occurs, pockets form between the teeth and gums where harmful bacteria gets trapped. This bacteria will attack the bone that supports the teeth, leading to tooth and bone loss.

Scaling and root planing

At Premier Periodontics, we use deep periodontal cleanings called scaling and root planing to clean your gums. Treating gum disease can require many visits. We will use a scaler to get rid of the plaque buildup during your scaling and root planing. Next, your teeth are smoothed so that none of these bacteria can hide and cause another infection. This gum disease treatment is recommended for anyone with gum pockets that are deeper than three millimeters.

Learn how to help bleeding gums quickly

Our periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics offer many gum disease treatments for patients with bleeding gums. Our goal is to treat gum disease early on before it causes long-term damage to your gums and smile. To learn about our gum disease treatment options, schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA.