Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!

It’s not uncommon to experience bleeding gums during your regular oral routine but it does mean that your gums are trying to tell you something. And you need to listen. The first sign of blood while brushing or flossing could be showing you the first sign of gum disease. But don’t worry, if you catch it early you can prevent gum disease from progressing into something more serious.

Early stages of gum disease usually isn’t painful so it’s not surprising that most people don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late. So we want to tell you what you can do to help stop your bleeding gums almost instantly! 

Catch it early!

Simply put, bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque, which is a harmful biofilm of bacteria that usually forms on our gum line and is a result of the acids released from foods after we eat. If plaque is inadequately removed from our gums on a daily basis, the plaque then absorbs minerals from our saliva and begins to harden into tartar or calculus, which is harder than bone and can only be removed by using metal implements.

The acidic waste products that the plaque colony gives off, especially after plaque has become mineralized into acid soaked tartar, leads to gums becoming irritated and inflamed causing them to bleed when brushing or flossing. Plaque build-up is happening continuously, so it is essential that we keep removing it on a regular basis.

If tartar is left untreated, this can lead to more serious forms of gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. But we don’t want it to get to that! So let’s take a look at our top survival tips to beat bleeding gums and stop gum disease right in its tracks!

1. Brush and Floss Daily.

It is essential that you are brushing and flossing your teeth daily in order to consistently remove plaque build-up. It can take as little as 24 hours for plaque to turn into hard calcified tartar or calculus, which then makes it almost impossible to remove so the best time to remove plaque is during it’s beginning stages when it is soft and fragile. When brushing, we recommend that you use a soft toothbrush to not aggravate your gums further. If you’re using an electric toothbrush make sure that the bristles are soft (fortunately they are for most brands) and that you do not use too much pressure when brushing. Be aware to pay particular attention to the gum line.

Flossing is very important so as to get in between the spaces where disease starts to take hold.

We also recommend interdental brushes to remove plaque from the hard to reach areas.

2. Eat well.

It’s no surprise that our ancient ancestors had perfect teeth and gums. The reason: a completely raw, unrefined and nutritious diet. We understand that with what’s available in Western modern day societies today, especially in cities, it can be very hard to eat a totally primitive diet. But greater awareness of the food we are consuming is becoming of increasing importance if we want to maintain adequate oral health.

Dr. Samaha says that healthy eating boosts our immune system and nourishes our soft oral tissues, which are the most vulnerable in the body.

 “A diet with at least six to eight fist-sized servings of fruits and vegetables, along with nutritional supplements of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and anti-inflammatories such as fish oil, are all critical building blocks of oral health,” says Dr. Samaha.

So when you’re next at the grocery store, stock up on some of our favorite food remedies for bleeding gums. We recommend citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, raw veggies and a glass of milk to strengthen your teeth and gums.

For a more detailed explanation of the essential vitamins for oral health and which nutritious foods to find them in, check out our blog – ‘Fantastic Four Fat Solubles and Why We Need Them’.

3. De-Stress.

‘Your constant state of agitation and anxiety hinders the immune system’s ability to ward off gum disease. Stress causes inflammation in the blood vessels, which breaks down the soft tissue in the mouth, inhibiting its ability to heal’. – Romak, The Denture Centre

Stress increases inflammation in our bodies, which therefore makes our gums more susceptible to bleeding. When the body goes into stress, our immune system goes into shut down, therefore making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections and heal effectively. Stress is also coupled with a decrease in motivation to take care of ourselves. Other things begin to take priority over the state of our health and therefore less time is spent brushing, flossing and even eating healthily.

We recommend for 10 minutes every morning and evening you take time to breathe deeply and quiet your mind. Also, a brisk walk in nature and regular exercise is a wonderful remedy for stress and will get you back in touch with that innate wonderful feeling of well-being.

4. If you’re a smoker, quit now!

Most of us know that smoking isn’t exactly good for us, however, it really is bad news when it comes to the health of our gums and is in fact one of the main causes of gum disease in America.

The toxins and chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco completely strip your mouth of all the vital nutrients that aid your mouth’s natural healing process. This leads to greater inflammation and hinders immune functionality, therefore prevents your body’s natural ability to heal infection.

Smoking can cause gums to become swollen and undernourished because of the nicotine content that constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your gums.

There are many studies to suggest that smokers are much more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers and are prone to developing more serious gum issues that lead to tooth extraction.

We acknowledge that quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do, however, if you’re a smoker and have bleeding gums, it’s of extreme importance to consider at least dramatically cutting down if you want to protect your oral and overall health.

5 Use Good-Gums – our all-natural vitamin and herb tooth powder!

We recommend using our 100% natural tooth powder, packed full of all the essential nutrients for optimal gum health. Many of our customers have reported their bleeding gums have stopped overnight! Good-Gums soothes sore gums and strengthens tooth enamel, while also counteracting acidity in the mouth and neutralizing bacteria that cause plaque buildup.

For maximum results, massage Good-Gums into your gums before continuing with your regular tooth care regime. Use a soft toothbrush when brushing with Good-Gums and floss as usual. You do not need to rinse as it is safe to ingest due to its completely pure, natural (and tasty) ingredients. For more tips on how to use Good-Gums click here. 

Our formula is designed to absorb into your gums, putting back all the vital nutrients that are necessary to get your gums back in tip-top shape.