Can you offer a solution to swollen and bleeding gums?

Question

My gums, particularly around the points, at which the teeth emerge, are constantly swollen. They bleed whenever I clean my teeth or use dental floss. Can you offer a solution to the problem?

Answer 1

You have probably one, or several things that could be going on. One, it could be gingivitis, if your gums are swollen, red and bleed easily, this is probably the case. Or if you see your dentist regularly, brush and floss religiously and this has just started. Then you could be brushing too hard causing damage to your tissue. Or maybe you are under a lot of stress and not eating right or taking care of yourself. Any one or all of these can factor into what is going on with your mouth. Let's start with the more serious one, gingivitis. If you feel that this may be the case, you need to see your dentist and have a professional cleaning, perio screening and have a diagnosis made to be sure of the extent of the damage. They will advise you the best way to get your condition under control before any more damage is sustained. If it's just that your brushing too hard, go easy. It's not how hard you brush, it's how long you do it. Brushing too hard can cause a lot of problems as well as cause tissue recession and sensitivity. If it's stress or diet related, then you'll have to make some personal changes to fix your diet or resolve to remove the stress from your life. Hope I've been of some help and good luck!


Also, just changing your brushing habits (if it is gingivitis) will not clear up the problem, you need a professional cleaning to remove the hard built up tartar and calculus under the gums that are keeping the tissue irritated. It's deep enough and hard enough that you can't reach or remove with a toothbrush or floss.

Answer 2

This is a problem which is probably shared by about 95% of people on earth, at some time in their lives.

I had it, and when I brushed my teeth my gums bled. I persisted. It worked. It may not be easy to get a soft toothbrush, because some dental advisors may feel that a firm toothbrush is the only thing to use.

In some dentists' premises you can see pictures of gums of people who have 'brushed not wisely, but tooo well'. Use 'string a stick' (my phrase) often. Become beningly addicted to inspecting and cleaning your teeth often. Look for white gunge. This can easily be removed when it is newly deposited.

Find plaque disclosing tablets in a pharmacist, if you want to train your sense of observation.

The result will save some teeth, and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Final word: Brushing you teeth 10 times a day may not be execessive, especially if you eat and / or drink sugar more than 3 times a day. Gentle as you go. Go to a dentist every 6 or 12 months and ask hime/her to clean the teeth. The clean a bit under the gum, and the experience is not pure joy, but the results should be good.

Maybe you would consider avoiding certain (so-called) foods altogether, e.g. cakes......

Answer 3

What you're describing sounds a lot like gingivitis. That a condition the gums often get when a person doesn't practice good oral care regularly. As you continue to brush and floss regularly, the redness and bleed should go away. You can also massage your gums to help increase blood flow and speed healing. A lot of people find they recover from gingivitis well when using an ultrasonic toothbrush like Oral-B. If you're not being treated by a dentist, make an appointment soon.

Answer 4

Your gums are probably inflamed and swollen due to a build up of plaque. Where your gums bleed you need to clean more to remove the plaque that is irritating your gums. Also get your gums checked by a dentist if the plaque has gone hard it will need to be removed by your dentist, you may also have a gum infection which requires medication you could also try using a mouthwash called corsodyl but you will still need to brush. Badly fitting crowns can also cause gums to become red and swollen

Answer 5

I had this problem from when I was 16 to when I was in my forties. Dentists always taught me how to use dental floss even though I used it daily the same way. One day I saw a new hygeinist - she told me to do the following:

Get a battery or electric toothbrush, use this first, then
Do not use floss but use sticks, and use them correctly i.e. push then as far as they will go between your teeth.
Cut down on the amount of wheat you eat - or brush immediately afterwards.
See the hygeinist regularly (a clean every 2 years now)

After 5 days the problem had disappeared, I could not believe it. That was 8 years ago and its not come back.

Answer 6

Sounds like you have Chronic Gingivitis and should see your dentist Asap!
This is a very painful condition and is caused by the build up of plaque on the gingival margins.
Try rinsing your mouth out with warm salty water and see yr dentist as soon as!

Answer 7

Brush with a softer tooth brush and dont brush so violently.

Use a less abrasive toothpaste. Dont worry about using dental floss, it will aggravate any inflammation.

use a mouthwash that is not alcohol based as that will just cause your gums to recede further and dehydrate you more.

Also drink more mineral water and make sure you are getting a good balance of vitamins.

Cut down on sugar and acidic foods also.

Answer 8

I have walked down that street plus it is my birthday! (Do you know why it has that name?)

Any way, unfortunately you have gingivitis.
The only way to get rid of it is to brush correctly and FLOSS twice per day (Morning before brekki or 1 hour after) and at night (after supper-1 hour gap) And use a mouthwash - dentyl ph is nice and doesn't burn. Altho it is expensive . but it works.

you can mouth wash as often as you want.

And go to the dentist- if you have a phobia find a nice one - they do exist!

Answer 9

I searched for years and ask my dentist... still had it.
THEN I met a different dentist and she told me to use Listerine or other really good antiseptic mouthwash.... And it worked. But if I miss using it after each brushing... it could come back. I use it all the time now.
(And I have been told by my dentist, my teeth are at less risk of pyaria now) You do not want to lose your teeth...

Answer 10

Sounds like you have gum disease.
You need a dentist not yahoo to solve the problem.
You need a course of antibiotics.
Visit a hygienist twice a year to prevent further problems as well as having your regular check up.