Bleeding Gums

The gums, gingivae, in professional terms, are the pink, fibrous tissue attached to the jaw bone. All healthy gums have a good blood supply, and will bleed, if you brush too hard or accidentally injure them, but the first sign of gum disease is swelling, and a darker, unhealthy tone of redness.

Bleeding gums are common in pregnancy, when hormone changes weaken the connective tissue, but if you are not pregnant, and you experience regular bleeding each time you brush, and you are not brushing too hard, or have not experienced this in the past, you are probably experiencing the beginning of gum disease, or gingivitis.

Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which is a layer of bacteria that forms on teeth gradually, over time. Eating or drinking sugar, and not cleaning your teeth often, or well enough, encourages plaque growth.

Home Remedies for Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis can be cleared up by good dental hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing after meals, and before bed, this will help remove plaque and prevent gingivitis.

Some people seem more prone to bleeding gums than others. Things like stress, smoking, poor diet, uncontrolled diabetes, and Vitamin C deficiencies can cause bleeding gums.

In the late stages of gum disease, teeth may become loose or even fall out, and you may become prone to painful pockets of infection, called abscesses.

Good Oral Hygiene

The single best treatment for gingivitis is good oral hygiene. Brushing alone only removes plaque from the surfaces of the teeth the toothbrush can reach.

It is important to floss carefully, before you brush, to remove food particles (if you have gingivitis, it will probably bleed, but it is important to continue to floss) and brush gently with a soft bristled toothbrush (for at least a minimum of two minutes), in a circular motion, on all surfaces of the teeth.

Brushing after meals, sugary drinks or snacks, and especially before bed, is the first step to taking care of gingivitis.

Toothpaste

A good, natural toothpaste that is gentle and effective in aiding the cure of gingivitis, is dipping your toothbrush into hydrogen peroxide, then baking soda, followed by rinsing with hydrogen peroxide (do not swallow), then a thorough rinse with water, or rinsing after brushing with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine.

Saline (Saltwater) Rinse

Another home remedy is regular saline rinses as this can help reduce bacteria and it’s quite cost effective. This can not only help fight off gingivitis but can help with bad breath, a sore throat and can help promote healing if you happen to injure your gums.

To rinse with saltwater, take a glass of warm water then add in about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Rinse and swish thoroughly (for a minimum of 10 seconds each rinse, do not swallow) several times a week. This will increase circulation, and reduce swelling.

Essential Oils

There are some essential oils that can possibly help improve the health of your gums and preventative oral hygiene. They can be used as a mouth rinse, to rub on your gums and added to your toothpaste before brushing. If used alone, these oils should be mixed with a carrier oil, some oils are:

  • Clove essential oil
  • Oregano essential oil
  • Tea Tree essential oil
  • Cinnamon essential oil
  • Peppermint essential oil
  • Thyme essential oil
  • Spearmint essential oil

Talk with your dentist to see what may help you.