Brushing is a critical part of keeping teeth healthy. It’s how you remove food particles and prevent plaque from building up and causing tooth decay. Most of the time, most people, children and adults alike, brush their teeth without any trouble. But what if you notice that your child’s gums start to bleed when you or they brush their teeth? What could be causing that and how concerned should you be?
Brushing Too Hard
Gum tissue can be delicate, and applying too much pressure when brushing could cause it to bleed. Some children may get a little too enthusiastic about brushing their teeth and brush too hard. This doesn’t clean their teeth any better. On the contrary, it can damage gum tissue, causing it to bleed and lead to gum recession. If you think your child might be a little too vigorous when they brush, try taking over for them so you can control the pressure a bit more. Teach them to hold the brush more delicately so they are less likely to brush too hard.
Gingivitis
Most of the time, bleeding gums are caused by the plaque at the gumline. If the plaque isn’t removed, it will continue to build up and lead to inflammation, also known as gingivitis. This causes the gums to become swollen and tender, and often results in bleeding when the teeth are brushed and flossed. It’s important to take gingivitis seriously since it can lead to gum disease and eventual tooth loss.
Schedule a Visit
If you notice that your child’s gums are bleeding when brushing consistently, give Stellar Kids Dentistry a call. We can help you decide if you need to schedule an appointment with the dentist or if you just need to help your child be more gentle when they brush. It’s important to take bleeding gums seriously, but you don’t need to be overly concerned about it. We can help address the problem as long as you bring them in.
As disconcerting as it may be to see your child’s gums bleeding when they brush their teeth (or when you help them with it), there’s no need to be concerned about it. Continue brushing the area but try easing up on the pressure and give them a toothbrush with soft bristles to use. If that doesn’t help, schedule a visit with their dentist so they can check for problems like gingivitis that may be causing the bleeding. Once you know what the problem is, you can decide what the next steps should be.
Here at Stellar Kids Dentistry, we pride ourselves on our preventative dentistry, designed to prevent oral health troubles before they become bigger problems. Click here to learn more about how we help keep your child’s teeth healthy today!