Bleeding Gums and What To Do About It

If your gums leave pink in the sink when you brush your teeth or floss, your mouth is probably screaming for attention (and waving a tiny red flag). 

Occasional bleeding from a tortilla chip? Maybe. But bleeding every time you brush or floss usually means your gums are stressed out and are asking for help. 

Let's talk about a few reasons WHY this might happen, and then discuss HOW TO IMPROVE the situation. 

WHY BLEEDING GUMS HAPPEN:

Over-brushing: Enthusiasm for a clean mouth, plus a hard brush, equals micro-tears. Choose a soft bristle and focus on every tooth – it's a great opportunity for a minute of self-care in quiet meditation. 

Tartar Build-up: Hardened plaque irritates gum tissue. If your teeth feel like they have a rough surface near the gumline, your oral microbiome might be out of balance. 

Dry Mouth & Meds: Less saliva means more plaque. Saliva is an essential part of your digestive system and mouth health. 

Vitamin Gaps: Nutrient deficiencies are often overlooked as an underlying factor for any type of health condition. Your cells need fuel to repair themselves!

Hormones & Stress: Age- and stress-related changes in hormones can amplify gum bleeding. Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol – you name it. Oral health is an extension of whole-body health. 

Early-stage Gum Disease: Puffy, tender gums and bleeding when brushing. Still reversible but edging into more serious territory if ignored. 

Underlying Health Conditions: Persistent bleeding can hint at diabetes, autoimmune disease, anemia or other systemic conditions. If it's new, frequent, or severe – book that dental visit to prevent spread. 

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT THIS WEEK:

1. Get to know your mouth.

How is your breath in the morning? What do you usually do to 'freshen up' during the day? How long does the effect last? How do you know if your oral hygiene routine is working? Are you worried you are slowly losing control?

Listen! Your mouth might be telling you it needs a bit of support. 

 

2. Be gentle. 

What if every time you 'freshen up', you are actually trampling a tiny little cellular neighborhood that keeps trying to rebuild?

Of course, use a soft-bristle tooth brush and don't floss so hard. But also, take a quick look at the ingredients in your toothpaste and mouthwash.

Leading oral care brands can contain detergents, preservatives, antiseptics, and strong flavors, which may leave you feeling 'fresh and clean' for a while because they kill off the bad bacteria, but really, they destroy everything too - including the good guys that can actually help. 

So, if your #mouthgoals is repair and resilience, then your oral care routine must aim to nurture your cells and their microenvironment – not kill everything in it.

Ideally, look for non-toxic, dry products in non-plastic packaging. 

 

3. Finish up with power.

The last thing in your mouth – after a meal, coffee, oral care routine – plays a huge role in what happens next in the oral microenvironment. 

If you finish up with a quick rinse of mouthwash, you keep pushing the reset button on the competition for survival in your microbiome, by killing everything in sight. And the bad guys keep winning.

Did you pop a breath mint or a piece of gum? Well, you might have just fed those bad guys and their acidic farts are ready to damage your enamel.

A better alternative? Feed your cells and try not to disrupt that delicate cellular ecosystem, so it has a chance to rebuild itself and thrive.

 

4. Feed your cells.

Nature has been repairing itself since the beginning of time. 

Life in thriving natural ecosystems like your mouth and gut is supported by a dynamic, ongoing exchange of essential nutrients & minerals. The building blocks of this exchange are symbiotic relationships that blend together perfectly – on the global scale and the cellular. 

Here are some natural ingredients that feed your cells and help repair your mouth:

> Spirulina (blue-green microalgae/cyanobacteria) – an ancient microorganism and well-known "superfood" rich in vitamins, minerals, complete protein (all essential amino acids), antioxidants, and omega fatty acids (polyunsaturated fats). 

> Xylitol – a sweet polyol with a low glycemic index that stimulates saliva, inhibits growth of disease-causing bacteria, helps with enamel remineralization, and promotes a healthier plaque ecosystem.

> Hydroxyapatite – a naturally occurring mineral (calcium derivative) that provides hardness and strength to our bones and teeth. Research shows this mineral is a great alternative to fluoride that helps stop or even reverse cavities. 

> Mineral-rich Clay – detoxifying, alkaline clays like Montmorillonite (Bentonite) have a negative electrical charge, which attracts and binds to positively charged toxins, heavy metals, and harmful bacteria in the mouth: in effect absorbing them and helping to remove them from the body. 

> Prebiotics– non-digestible fibers that stimulate growth & activity of good-for-you microbes. They help balance the oral microbiome and reduce formation of plaque. 

 

5. Try OmBiome's Spirulina Oral Care!

And see for yourself what Earth-inspired mouth health looks like. 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Bleeding gums are a message, not a mystery.

Feel your mouth-body connection, tidy up your oral microbiome, and use gentle, nourishing oral care products. 

And of course, let your dentist or health professional investigate the deeper story, especially if you have:

>> Sudden, heavy bleeding or sores

>> Bleeding that lasts longer than 2 weeks despite better home care

>> Persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or intense mouth pain

>> A compromised or hyperactive immune system

>> Chronic health conditions or allergies