Gaah!! So I was brushing my teeth, and I discovered bleeding gums… What do I do?
I'm really worried. This is going to be long, but please bear with me. I was brushing my teeth as usual, and when I spat out the toothpaste, I noticed there was red/pink stuff which turned out to be blood. I checked my teeth to see where it was coming from, and I realized the blood was coming from the inward-side (the side of the gum next to the tongue, if that makes sense) of gum around a certain molar. It wasn't gushing blood or anything and it didn't bleed after that, but I could tell it was coming from there because it just looked kind of raw on the edge where the gum met the tooth (but otherwise firm and healthy). Anyhow, I began to floss the hell out of my teeth, and around the one molar I extracted some tiny remnants of meat. :/ Gross, I know. It didn't smell bad like it probably would if it was decaying, but I think that was probably the cause of the bleeding. I made sure to get all of it out, and then I rinsed with Listerine and did a sea salt rinse as well.
Now, I know this is all my fault because I haven't really been keeping up with the regular flossing in the last couple months (and I have braces... it's such a pain in the butt to floss with those wires)... My gum seems all right, but do you think I'll need to go in for a cleaning or something? I don't have any plaque/tartar build-up and my teeth seem to be in excellent condition except for that tiny gum detail... lol. Couldn't it just heal on its on? I'd rather not have to pay for an appointment if I don't have to... do you think the dentist would charge me just for a minor check-up?
By the way, I know I'm stupid... don't have to tell me. From now on, I'm going to floss every day no matter how busy or tired I think I am.
August 31st, 2010 - 21:04
From the care that you took with your mouth after you saw the blood and the worry that ensued you obviously must brush regularly and well. That rules out the most usual situation of under-brushing from periods of time. Chances are it was the same thing as what often happens when you get popcorn kernel shells stuck in your teeth. When you pull it out there is sometimes a bit of blood. That’s fine. You may either have soft gums or have been eating some particularly tough meat :D, At any rate just everything’s fine!
August 31st, 2010 - 21:04
It could be from vigorous or over-brushing. Or, if you hadn’t brushed in a while, blood will often appear. You shouldn’t have to pay for an appointment, unless you get a serious infection or your gums begin to deteriorate.
August 31st, 2010 - 21:04
there’s a special way to brush when you have this problem you should brush top to bottom not side to side
August 31st, 2010 - 21:04
That happens to me sometimes. Because when i had braces i never thought that my teeth were clean enough so i kept brushing them very hard to get all the mingin stuff out. And because of that my gums bled a little bit.
But i think you should only start to get really worried if your gums bleed a lot. and the next time you’re at your dentist just say that your gums bled a bit in whichever area and they will check if you have gum disease or something.
Hope this helped.x