Most adults don’t think much when they experience bleeding while brushing. But, as a parent, seeing your kid’s gums bleeding can be a scary experience. It can be worrying, especially if you’re unsure why this happens or where the bleeding is coming from.
In such cases, it’s always recommended to consult your dental healthcare provider. For instance, if you’re residing in Western Australia, you can check out the local dentist Lesmurdie has to offer. And to give you an insight, this article shares some common causes of bleeding gums in children and ways to stop it.
- Rigorous Brushing
Starting with the least worrying cause of bleeding gums, rigorous brushing is the most common reason why you may see bloody brush foam.
As your kid learns how to brush their teeth properly, they may tend to apply too much pressure on their gums and teeth, causing them to bleed. In general, kids can often be eager and excited to start brushing their teeth on their own and may do it too harshly. Since their gum tissue is still soft, brushing too hard can cause it to become irritated and tender, leading to bleeding.
To resolve this issue, it’s best to supervise your kid while brushing their teeth. Let them do the brushing while explaining to them that they don’t have to brush hard to clean their mouth. Also, let them know that brushing with care can help prevent their gums from hurting and bleeding. Ultimately, your guidance can help them improve their dental care routine.
- Hard Bristles
Your kid may not be brushing their teeth that hard but still, end up with bleeding gums. In this case, you may want to look at their brush, especially since some brushes have hard, firm bristles that can cause gums to bleed.
Soft bristles are generally recommended for young kids and those with highly sensitive gums. Contrary to popular belief, soft bristles are more effective at cleaning teeth than toothbrushes with harder ones. Plus, soft-bristled brushes are gentler for teeth and gums.
That said, take the time to search for the best soft-bristled toothbrush for kids or consult your pediatric dentist for a recommendation of a good brand of kid’s toothbrushes.
- Flossing
As with brushing teeth, kids may also experience minor gum bleeding when learning to floss independently. Gum bleeding often occurs because the deep crevices of the gums are quite sensitive and are easily irritated when starting a new flossing routine. Plus, your kid may accidentally cause the string to slip deeper into the gums or floss harder in between teeth, injuring the areas and causing them to bleed.
In this case, supervising your kid and teaching them how to floss properly can help prevent bleeding. You can also prepare warm water with salt for rinsing their mouth, which can help reduce gum inflammation and pain.
- Medications
Some medications can cause your kid’s gums to become extra sensitive and inflamed, making them more prone to bleeding. For instance, anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding gums. In addition, some medicine, such as lung inhalers and antihistamines, can cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of the inflammation that may result in gum diseases.
If your kid had never experienced bleeding gums and only started when they started to take medication, then this may be the culprit. Talk to their dentist about any medication your kid is taking so they can offer suggestions on how to handle gum sensitivity. Also, ensure that your kid is gentler when brushing their teeth to prevent further irritation of the gums.
- Gum Diseases
This is the most worrying cause of bleeding gums in kids. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease occurs when the gums and teeth are infected with bacteria due to poor oral hygiene. Gum disease is often characterized by receding, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily.
Fortunately, gum disease can be prevented by ensuring that your kid practices good oral health. You want to ensure they brush at least twice daily and floss once daily. On the other hand, if your kid is already suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease, it’s best to visit your dentist for deep dental cleaning. This should help get rid of all plaque build-up that’s causing the gum disease.
Takeaway
As you can see, there are several reasons why your kid’s gums may start to bleed. And while it’s often nothing serious and commonly associated with a wrong cleaning routine, bleeding gums can also be a sign of oral health problems.
If you’re worried about your kid’s oral health, don’t hesitate to visit your trusted family dentist for a quick check-up and to determine the possible treatments and next steps.
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