Question: Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

Whenever I brush or floss, I notice my gums tend to bleed. Why is this happening, and what can I do to prevent it? Am I just brushing too hard?

Bleeding gums are a common occurrence and are often an indication of early to moderate gum disease brought on by improper or infrequent brushing and flossing.

Your teeth and gums are actually quite delicate, so try not to apply too much pressure when brushing or flossing — going at it too hard can definitely cause even healthy gums to bleed. That being said, make sure you brush and floss thoroughly twice a day, every day. Come on, get into all of those nooks and crannies! By lifting our all the food particles that accumulate during the day, your gums will be less sore and less prone to bleeding.

Improper or infrequent brushing and flossing also leads to gingivitis and eventually gum disease. This occurs when plaque builds on the teeth and caused pockets of bacteria to build up under the gum line. If left unchecked, you’ll have more than bleeding to worry about — in its most severe forms, gum disease can cause your teeth to fall out and jawbone to degrade, which can be very difficult (and expensive) to restore.

Bottom line? Take 5 minutes in the morning and the evening to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly and you should see bleeding slow and eventually stop over the course of a few weeks.