[jessica3]

It is about 85% of the time this happens it doesn't hurt... just a little blood almost every time I brush and it is every time I floss... I went and had my wisdom teeth pulled recently and the dentist never said my gums look bad or anything so what is going on? This bleeding has been happening before the wisdom teeth were pulled out.. what could this be?

[flossie]

Hi Jessica,

The reason gums bleed when brushing and flossing is that there is inflammation. Inflammation is caused by bacteria being left on the teeth. If you are brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing daily you shouldn't get any bleeding. That being said, you have to brush and floss properly to be sure all bacteria is being removed each time.

I've included some photos for proper technique of both brushing and flossing. Note the nice pink gums in the photo with the toothbrush. See how they have a stipple look (like orange peel), they are nice and tight to the teeth and have points between the teeth (not flat), this is how healthy gums should look.

When brushing be sure you are using a soft toothbrush, angle the brush at a 45degree angle to the teeth at the gumline. Be sure you can feel the brush on the gums. You will have to pay attention to this as you may find some of your gums on some teeth may be higher than on others. Be prepared for a little more bleeding if you are now cleaning areas that have been missed in the past.

In the flossing photos see how the floss is going up under the gums? This is the proper way to floss, now, in this photo the fingers at the front of the teeth are too far away from the teeth but that is just for the photo, you need to keep your fingers as close to the teeth as possible. Remember there are two teeth to floss in every space and after flossing the two teeth CHANGE the floss so you have a clean section going in to the next space. Changing the floss allows all of the bacteria between your teeth to be removed and not just the first space you floss!

In the first flossing photo you see how there is more floss on one finger than the other, that would be the clean floss and when you are done, the floss will be reverse (more on the opposite finger).

If you haven't been getting under the gums when you floss be prepared for a little more bleeding than you normally have now. After 10 days of proper brushing and flossing you should find that the bleeding has stopped.

Remember... Healthy gums = NO BLEEDING

You may want to rinse with warm salt water during the first 10 days of proper brushing and flossing.