Join in on our 'Guess the Rep' Competition! >>

Bleeding Gums

I've had a brace for eight months but recently I've noticed that my gums are bleeding when I brush my teeth. I brush twice a day and my teeth are generally in good condition. Does anyone know what might be causing the bleeding?

Reply 1

Sasuke!

i think that you may brush too hard, or you are flossing your teeth too hard, i have an ultrasoft otooth brush from colagte which is pretty good, too many people brush their teeth too hard leading to receding gumlines and bleeding, ask your dentist if in doubt!

Reply 2

Talya

Apparently bleeding gums is meant to be a sign of infection, but my gums always bleed when I brush and my dentist says my teeth and gums are fine!

old toothbrush?

mine bleed too when i brush. the dentist said that i should carry on brushing even if its bleeding and eventually the bleeding will stop. if you stop brushing when you bleed then the next time, the same will happen.

Reply 5

xoxo_GossipGirl

Bleeding can be a sign of gum disease, if it carries on I'd go and see your dentist. Make sure you're actually brushing your gums and not your teeth, use circular motions and don't press on too hard, make sure you brush at least 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes, and use teepee brushes, they're good to use with braces, I find them better than floss.

Reply 6

supernova2

bleeding gumns murphy?

Reply 7

Sejanus

According to my dentist, if your gums bleed that usually indicates inflamation and possible infection. Go look in a mirror: if the gum looks a bit red round the edges and feels a bit "spongy" when you poke it, then it might quite well be this cause. What you need to do is to brush the edge of the gum where it meets the tooth, and floss carefully. This removes the little pieces of plaque which are inflaming the gum, and thus stops it bleeding. This should hopefully eliminate the problem quite quickly (speaking from personal experience on this, it really does work). If it still carries on, tell your dentist.

whta is a teepee?

wtha is a teepee, the tents?

Reply 10

Sejanus

vincent

wtha is a teepee, the tents?

In this case, I assume -x-buttercup-x- is talking about the special toothbrushes you get if you have a brace. They look like kinda like mini toilet brushes, only a bit more pointy, kinda like a teepee, hence the name.

bleeding gums murphy

Could be scurvy! Are you eating any fruit?

More realistically, you could be sufferign from Gingivitus (sp?). I had it when I was young. All you need to do is after burshing your teeth, clean the toothbrush and then without any toothpaste brush your gums. For a while they will bleed when you do this, but after some time it will stop and you'll be better! At least that what I remember my dentist telling me, but it was like 8 years ago so correct me if I'm wrong.

Reply 13

xoxo_GossipGirl

vincent

whta is a teepee?

Tepe brushes have a similar use to floss, but are a lot easier when you have braces! You can get them at your dentist for £3.50 for a pck of about 8, each can be washed and reused until the edges start going funny.

They look like this, and your dentist will tell you what size to use, I use the pink, I haven't got braces anymore but they're still good