If you’ve noticed your gums bleeding after brushing or flossing, you might be tempted to think the problem will simply go away. However, this is one of the earliest and clearest warning signs of gum disease, as well as a wide array of other dental health concerns or habits like brushing too roughly. While a dentist can help you determine what’s causing your gums to bleed, there are several steps you can take independently to alleviate the issue.

What You Can Do About Bleeding Gums

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Many people grow alarmed when they see blood after brushing and flossing. However, because this is often an early sign of gingivitis, the initial stage of gum disease, the best thing to do is to carry on with a good daily oral hygiene routine.

Brush twice daily for two minutes at a time and floss once a day, or use interdental toothbrushes or a water pick to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth. In most cases, the bleeding will stop after your dental health improves through these habits. If the bleeding is heavy or persists, however, consult a dentist to determine whether any other underlying conditions are at the root of the issue.

2. Improve Your Diet

Another step you can take to strengthen your gums is to adopt a diet rich in nutrients like vitamins C and K. In one study, researchers found that low levels of vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system, were associated with a higher risk of bleeding and gum disease. 

Vitamin K helps blood clot, so when not enough of it is present in the body, gums may bleed longer and more heavily. You can avoid these issues by eating foods high in vitamin C, like sweet potatoes, carrots, and oranges, and vitamin K, like leafy greens, certain cheeses, and soybeans.

3. Rinse With Hydrogen Peroxide

Many people keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in their medicine cabinets for use as a disinfectant for cuts and scrapes. However, it can also be used to alleviate gum bleeding when used as a rinse. 

To do so, mix two parts of water to one part hydrogen peroxide, swish the solution around your mouth, gargle with the head tilted back, and spit it out. Don’t swallow the mixture, as it can cause stomach upset and vomiting.

Concerned about bleeding gums? Then get in touch with Elizabeth A. Loseke, D.D.S., in Kearney, NE. Backed by more than 20 years of experience as a dentist serving patients of all ages, Dr. Loseke offers a full range of general and cosmetic dentistry services to assess common health concerns and provide effective treatments and advice. Call (308) 234-4564 to schedule an appointment and visit them online to learn more about their services.