9 Tips to Stop Bleeding Gums
Healthy gums should be naturally pink and firm at all times. But sometimes, your gums can turn reddish and bleed any time you brush or floss your teeth. Poor diet, blood thinning medications, gingivitis, pregnancy, and failure to correctly wear debentures can cause your gums to bleed. The good news is that you can stop this dental problem with some simple solutions.
Discover some of the ways to stop your gums from bleeding.
1. Quit Smoking
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms smoking as a significant contributor to gum disease in the United States. Smoking can weaken your body's defense system and make you prone to plaque bacteria attacks, which cause gum infection. Faster healing of your gums and improvement of your dental health are major benefits you can enjoy once you stop smoking.
2. Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Swelling or inflammation is a common sign of gingivitis, which causes gums to bleed. An antibacterial mouth rinse will kill the plaque bacteria that cause gum inflammation and bleeding. Hydrogen peroxide, warm salt rinse, and chlorhexidine are some of the best antibacterial mouth rinses to use if you have gingivitis. Saltwater rinse can also clean your gum wounds after a gum trauma or injury.
3. Take More Vitamin K
Lack of adequate vitamin K in your body can make your gums bleed easily because of impaired blood clotting. Leafy greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, and mustard greens are good sources of vitamin K.
4. Apply a Turmeric Paste
Turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a good remedy for bleeding gums caused by gingivitis. Once you use turmeric, rinse your mouth to avoid staining your teeth.
5. Apply a Cold Compress or Ice
A cold compress or ice can be a good solution if your gums bleed because of an injury or trauma. The cold produced by this remedy constricts the blood vessels, which limits the flow of blood to the gum's wounds. Also, ice or a cold compress can relieve gum inflammation and pain if you've got gingivitis. To use the remedy, regularly hold an ice cube or cold compress against your gum line for a few minutes.
6. Adopt Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Poor oral hygiene allows food remains and plaque to accumulate along the gum lines, resulting in gum inflammation and bleeding. Bacteria in the plaque can also cause gum diseases and dental cavities if you fail to regularly brush or floss your teeth. One way to maintain good dental hygiene is to floss your teeth once every day and brush them at least two times daily.
7. Manage Your Stress Levels
Emotional stress can weaken your body's immune system and make it unable to fight a gum disease like periodontitis. Also, emotional stress can make you not practice oral hygiene, causing plaque to build up with time. Engage in activities that can reduce stress to protect your gums from infections and bleeding.
8. Reduce Carbs Intake
Plaque from carbs and sugary foods allows dental bacteria growth, which causes gingivitis and gum bleeding. Cut back on processed foods like cookies, cakes, and bread.
9. Take More Vitamin C
The more vitamin C you take, the stronger your body's immune system becomes. A stronger body's immune system will easily fight gum diseases and prevent gum bleeding. Vitamin C foods and supplements also have antioxidants that protect the gum lining and strengthen the gum connective tissue. Sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, and red peppers are some foods that are rich in vitamin C.
Even with the discussed tips, quality treatment for bleeding gums is necessary. Immediately visit a professional dentist after you notice signs of gum bleeding. Call us today at Koehn Dentistry & Aesthetics for quality dental treatments if you have gum or teeth problems.
