Hello all,

I am having issues with my gums - more specifically the gums on the bottom of my mouth. When I brush, they bleed.

My routine - I brush twice daily with an electric tooth brush, I floss and then rinse with a mouth wash. My gums continue to bleed, and at the moment they are so bad along the bottom that when I touch them they will bleed.

It had been about 12 months since my last visit to the dentist, and I am 23 years old with minimum cavities in the past.

Any suggestions on what to do, how serious this problem is to the long-term health of my teeth... I kind of like having them around!

Also - I do enjoy coffee and red wine, so my teeth are a little discoloured - any suggestions on what to do about this as alternatives to chemical whitening, or stopping with the wine and coffee?

Thank you for your help in advance =)

I'd suggest you see your dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning. You could try brushing with a toothpaste containing tea tree oil or massage some baking soda around the teeth where the bleeding occurs. If you feel any roughness when you floss between your teeth there could be tartar that needs to be removed, see your hygienist!

Ask your dentist about this. It could also be a problem that needs to be addressed. Or it may just be weak gums. Schedule a appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Every six months is the best way to check up on your dental hygiene and if your mouth is healthy. Hope this helps.

Usually gums start bleeding due to a lack of flossing. But if you do floss regularly, then there must be some other reason. My suggestion is to go to the dentist!