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Tips For Taking Care Of Your Bleeding Gums

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If you have noticed that your gums bleed every time you brush your teeth or bite into an apple, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to treat yourself. If so, use the following tips for taking care of your bleeding gums until you can have them looked at by your dentist.

Rinse with Peroxide before Brushing

One thing you can do to help reduce the bleeding and inflammation of your gums is to rinse with hydrogen peroxide before you brush your teeth. Not only does the peroxide kill bacteria and reduce swelling, but it also helps remove and soften any tartar on your teeth that could be causing the symptoms.

To make a peroxide mouthwash, mix about a tablespoon with a cup of warm water. Then, swish the solution in your mouth for about a minute, making sure you push it between your teeth to coat all surfaces of your gums.

Brush and Floss as Usual

When your gums are bleeding, you may be hesitant to brush and floss them, as you feel doing so could make them bleed more. However, neglecting to perform routine oral care several times a day can make your condition worse.

If you do not brush and floss, food, particles, and bacteria will continue to build up around your gums. These substances will lead to further inflammation and possible infection, as well as contribute to gum disease.

To make brushing easier, switch to a softer toothbrush, and use gentle pressure. For flossing, you could switch to using a water pick that can shoot water and clean between the teeth without coming into direct contact with your gums.

Drink a Cup of Green Tea Every Day

Another way you can help decrease the amount of bleeding from your gums and to promote healing of the tissue is to drink a cup of green tea at least once a day. The catechins in green tea have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote healthy gum tissue.

After you steep a bag of the tea for about 10 minutes, let it sit until it is lukewarm. Then, while you are drinking the tea, gently swish it in your mouth to help coat your teeth and gums.

Using the above tips can help you take care of your gums if they have started to bleed. However, you should make an appointment with a dentist so that they can examine your gums to see if the bleeding is caused by gingivitis or periodontal disease. If so, they can then discuss available options for treating these forms of gum disease.


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