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Dental Checklist: Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush Or Floss?

Red gums don’t look good in photos or in real life.

Red, bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease or other serious health issues

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this isn’t normal. Healthy gums don’t bleed when they are cleaned. The bleeding may be a sign of gum disease (either gingivitis or periodontitis), or could even be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Your dentist is the best person to check your gums and to diagnose the cause of the bleeding. In most cases, your dentist will be able to treat the gum disease and help your gums to become healthy again. If your gum disease is advanced or if the cause of the bleeding is not related to your teeth, your dentist will refer you to the appropriate dental or medical specialist or your medical GP.

To keep your gums looking healthy, you’ll need to keep them really clean- and that means flossing as well as thorough brushing. If you don’t floss regularly, ask your dentist for a lesson next time you see them.

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