Have you ever noticed inflamed gums or slight bleeding while you brush or floss? Like many individuals, you may have ignored the inflammation and blood until one day you realized that the problem only got worse. If you’re feeling alarmed, it’s for a good reason. According to the National Library of Medicine, bleeding gums is an early sign of gum disease that requires a sense of urgency and treatment.

After noticing signs of gum inflammation and/or bleeding, it’s critical that you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Though your appointment maybe a few days or even weeks away, there are steps you can take to reduce the inflammation and stop bleeding gums in the meantime.

Check out our methods below!

Improve your diet

Improving your diet means one thing: eating healthier. Throw out the sugary foods and candy that are not only hurting your gums but hurting your entire body.

Your gums require good nutrition to stay healthy. Consider increasing your intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium in your diet to improve your gum health. “Gum healthy” food include:

  • Salmon or other fatty fish
  • Nuts and seeds high in Omega 3s
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Peppers
  • Citrus fruits
  • Celery, carrots, apples
  • Green tea

Create a healthy oral routine and stick to it

A healthy smile doesn’t happen by ignoring the importance of your mouth; it happens by having a sense of urgency to take care of it…every. single. day.

When plaque builds in your mouth from a lack of brushing and flossing, your gums will begin to inflame and bleed. To prevent this from happening or to reserve early signs of gum disease, you’ll need to brush and floss regularly. It is also recommended to keep up with your six-month dental checkups to receive regular cleanings that eliminate your tartar buildup.

Stop smoking…permanently

It should come as no surprise that smoking is no good for your health. Along with contributing to many forms of disease and cancers, the toxins in tobacco contribute to gum inflammation. This is because the toxins will prevent your gums from receiving the nutrition they need to thrive.

Ditch the pack of smokes as soon as possible if you’re committed to having a healthy smile you can feel proud of.

Don’t share food or drinks

Now, this may come as a surprise to you but gum disease, unfortunately, is contagious. If you’re used to sharing food and drinks and know that you are experiencing signs of gum disease, you should immediately cease sharing. Though this may impact your relationships, you can begin to reverse the effects of gum disease by visiting a dentist. With every examination, your dentist will work toward ending your inflammation and stop bleeding gums.

Stop worrying

Stress greatly impacts your health in more ways than one. In fact, constant stress can target your gums and leave them significantly impacted. This is because stress increases inflammation in the body, ultimately leading to bleeding gums. If your stress piques, your immune system may be impacted as well.

The ultimate way to manage stress is to find outlets that will leave you feeling calm and centered. Below, we list a few ways to holistically approach stress management:

  • Exercise
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Journal writing and reflection
  • Spending more time with close friends and family members
  • Deep breathing exercises

Need a dentist to reverse your signs of gum disease?

Make the appointment and make it sooner than later. Procrastinating will only make matters worse. Get in touch with specialists who have helped countless patients reverse their signs of gum disease. With the right assistance, you’ll regain that dream smile of yours again! Call us today!