Close to 3.5 billion people around the world suffer from some type of oral problem at present. Gum-related diseases are most common, with around 50% of the world’s population suffering from one of its many types.
As per data collected by WHO, around 10% of the global population suffers from severe gum (periodontal) diseases that can lead to loss of teeth.
Bleeding gums can be an early symptom of such diseases, and if left unchecked or untreated, can lead to severe tooth damage. According to Dr. Shin from Smile Well Dental, you can easily prevent or treat it by making these simple changes in your lifestyle.
Tips To Stop Gum Bleeding
1. Adopt The Right Brushing Habits
Use a soft-bristled brush for brushing your teeth thoroughly, at least twice a day. Do not use too much force while brushing – instead, clean your teeth in a gentle circular motion.
Use a fluoride-based toothpaste for brushing to help reduce plaque-causing bacteria that can otherwise cause gum inflammation and bleeding. Also, ensure that you change your toothbrush every 3 months or so to maintain hygiene.
2. Floss Regularly
Poor oral hygiene is one of the main reasons for gum bleeding. Brushing is not enough for eliminating plaque – you need to floss regularly too.
You see, a toothbrush cannot remove the plaque that accumulates in between your teeth. As a result, it keeps building up and ultimately hardens to form tartar. This layer deposits on the gum line and causes gum diseases and bleeding.
Flossing can help you avoid plaque buildup in between the teeth, thereby keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. For best results, you should floss your teeth prior to brushing at least once, but preferably twice every day.
3. Maintain A Healthy And Balanced Diet
Your food habits directly shape the health of your teeth and gums. Food with a heavy sugar or starch content can encourage the growth of plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth. And plaque accumulation leads to bleeding gums and cavities.
Try maintaining a nutrient-rich diet containing less sugar and more essential minerals and vitamins. These can help strengthen your gums to keep oral diseases at bay.
4. Quit Smoking
Smoking causes severe damage to the lungs and is one of the leading causes of cancer. But apart from that, it is a major cause of gum bleeding and damage too.
Smoking can weaken your immunity system, which makes it harder for your body to fight off gum infections. Additionally, it slows down the natural healing process of recovering from gum damage.
So if you are a smoker and are experiencing gum bleeding, it’s probably another sign for you to quit.
5. Try A Salt Water Rinse
A simple saltwater rinse has multiple benefits for oral health. This is a safe and low-cost alternative to the mouthwashes available in the market and is much more effective in reducing bacterial growth and maintaining overall oral health.
It is easy to prepare at home – just dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water. Then thoroughly rinse your mouth with the solution. This is useful for a variety of oral diseases, including gum bleeding, toothache, infections, etc.
Final Thoughts
These are some methods that you can try to treat bleeding gums easily. In case you are experiencing bleeding gums regularly, the best idea will be to consult your dentist. A professional practitioner can help you identify the actual cause of your bleeding gums, and provide the right medication to treat it.
