Did you know your gums might be trying to tell you something? While it’s easy to brush off bleeding gums as a minor inconvenience, they’re often a sign of something deeper. From early indicators of gum disease to clues about your overall health, your gums play a crucial role in keeping you well and signaling issues that need your attention.

Let’s take a closer look at what causes bleeding gums, why they’re worth paying attention to, and how you can prevent them for a healthy mouth + healthy you.

what causes bleeding gums?

There are so many different causes of gum bleeding, so let’s dive into a few common ones.

• poor oral hygiene habits: are you flossing daily, brushing twice daily, and tongue scraping? Are you careful not to press too hard when you’re brushing and flossing? Are you eating a mouth-friendly diet that’s full of nutrient-dense whole foods and limited in sugary, acidic, and starchy items?
• plaque and tartar: tartar is the hardened version of plaque. If your teeth feel scratchy, it’s likely that you already have some tartar buildup. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed by your dental hygienist using special tools, so be sure to schedule an appointment!
• hormonal changes: whether it’s puberty, pregnancy, menopause, menstruation or aging, rapid hormonal changes can cause bleeding gums.
• stress: when you’re stressed, inflammation increases and your immune system becomes weakened. This can lead to gum bleeding, irritation, and other systemic complications.
• medications: common medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, and birth control pills can cause gum bleeding too.
• vitamin deficiencies: vitamins C and K help keep your soft tissues healthy and prevent bleeding, so be sure your body gets enough of these.
• underlying conditions: diabetes, autoimmune disease, and so many more conditions are linked with gum bleeding. We’ll get into these in the next few sections.

Now that you know some causes, let’s explore why you should always immediately address and treat your bleeding gums.

why you should never ignore bleeding gums

While it might be common, gum bleeding is a red flag you should never ignore. It’s often an early warning sign for gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), and early detection/prevention is so important for gum disease. It’s the kind of condition that you want to reverse in its early stages because it becomes much harder to tame once it’s progressed. Late-stage gum disease can cause your gums to “detach” from your teeth, which can lead to serious infections, tissue deterioration, and tooth loss.

Gum bleeding is also linked with other systemic health (which we’ll dive into next). The good news is that when you catch gum bleeding at its early stages, you can do a lot to reverse it and prevent gum disease and larger systemic issues. If you experience persistent gum bleeding, book an appointment with your dentist right away.

bleeding gums and your overall health

Gum health plays a central role in your holistic health, and bleeding gums can be a warning sign for deeper issues and conditions. Because bleeding gums are closely linked with inflammation and bacteria, they can cause/impact other issues downstream.

• diabetes: gum disease and diabetes create a vicious cycle with one another. Diabetes increases your susceptibility to gum disease and bleeding gums, and gum disease can disrupt blood sugar regulation. If you’re insulin-resistant, prediabetic, or diabetic, keep a sharp eye on your gum health.
• heart disease: the inflammation/bacteria from bleeding gums and gum disease can enter your bloodstream, which can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries.
• respiratory health: bacteria from gum infections can make its way into your lungs, leading to respiratory problems.
• pregnancy complications: due to rapid hormonal changes, gum bleeding is common during pregnancy. However, research flags gum disease as a potential risk for premature birth.
• cognitive health: while more research is needed, recent studies have linked gum disease (often signaled by bleeding gums) with cognitive decline and dementia.

The good news is that treating and solving your gum bleeding can also relieve larger issues, so we’ve included tips on how to prevent bleeding gums in the future.

how to prevent bleeding gums

As we mentioned, gum bleeding can be an early sign of gum disease, making it the perfect opportunity to stop gum disease in its tracks. Here are a few tips to stop/prevent gum disease for a healthy mouth + healthy you.

• hone your oral care habits: you already know the drill here! Brush twice daily, floss daily, tongue scrape, hydrate, and eat a month-friendly diet.
• Use proper brushing and flossing techniques to ensure you’re not pressing too hard or putting extra stress on your gums.
• Our hydroxyapatite toothpaste will give your enamel an extra dose of minerals for an extra line of defense against harmful bacteria and plaque.
• use a toothpaste for bleeding gums: a bleeding gum toothpaste is specially formulated with ingredients to soothe inflammation, reduce plaque, fight bacteria, and prevent gum bleeding.
• visit your dentist on the dot: make an appointment every six months even if you’re feeling totally healthy! Maintenance and prevention are key when it comes to gum disease, gum bleeding, and beyond.
• manage your stress: whether that looks like meditating, walking outside, strength training, singing, laying in a patch of grass, or something totally different, be sure you’re doing something every day to regulate your nervous system to prevent stress and inflammation.
• avoid alcohol and tobacco: using these substances is a sure way to harm your oral and overall health, so avoid (or at least reduce) them as much as possible.

Whether you already have bleeding gums or you’re just looking to maintain your oral health, our essentials bundle has some incredible, effective products to get started on your holistic oral care routine.

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