Have you ever noticed that your gums hurt after you brush? In some cases, this can be an indication that you have gingivitis or a more advanced form of gum disease. If that is the case, you need to call us to make an appointment so we can begin treating this condition. But what if your healthy gums hurt or even bleed a little bit when you brush? If you are certain gingivitis is not the cause, what can it be? The issue could be with how you are brushing your teeth. If you brush too roughly, you can easily injure your gums.

YOUR GUMS ARE NOT AS DURABLE AS YOUR TEETH

One of the reasons why it is easy to damage your gums by brushing too roughly is because they are made of tissue, not enamel, like your teeth. Tissue is not as durable and can easily become damaged if it is treated roughly. Even if you use a soft-bristled toothbrush, if you brush using too much pressure, you will damage the gums. This, in turn, will make them bleed and hurt. If you notice your gums bleed when you brush, try using a lighter touch.

BLEEDING OPENS GUMS UP TO INFECTION

When you brush roughly, you rip open holes in your gums. This is what causes them to bleed. However, while blood is coming out of these rips, bacteria can move into the gums. This causes infection. If you notice that your gums have become inflamed and bleed very easily, it is likely that they are infected. This is the first stage of gum disease, and you need to have it treated as soon as you can. This infection may not necessarily cause pain right away, but in the long term, it can cause your gums to recede and lead to tooth loss.