Why your gums bleed after you brush
your teeth Published February 17, 2016.
If you spit pink every time you brush
your teeth, you probably have gum disease. Mild gum disease-or gingivitis-is
the chronic buildup of bacteria-laden plaque and tarter on your teeth that only
a dentist can remove. How Gum Disease Gets Worse The longer plaque stays there,
the more inflammation and swelling it'll cause around your gums. The simple act
of brushing your teeth irritates the swollen gums, and makes them bleed. The
problem: Most guys don't even know they have gingivitis because it normally
doesn't cause pain until it worsens. And you definitely don't want it to get
that point. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis,
said Men's Health advisor Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S. Your teeth may loosen, or in
extreme cases, fall out or need to be removed. It can also affect more than
your mouth: Gum disease is linked to an increased risk of heart disease,
diabetes, and stroke, too, according to the National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research. How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy The only
way to get rid of or avoid gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene. You
should brush twice a day and floss every night to discourage plaque buildup.
Sounds like simple advice, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to screw up.
Make an appointment with your dentist, too. Guys with bleeding gums or
signs of cavities-toothache, pain when you eat hot or cold food, or pain when
you bite down-should get a cleaning every three months, Wolff said. A buildup
of plaque-the cause of gum disease-also causes cavities. If you don't have any
symptoms now, but have had cavities in the past, you should make an appointment
every six months to a year, Wolff said.
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