By Katie Pudwill, RDH, Ph.D.
If you’ve ever noticed pink in the sink after brushing or flossing, you’re not alone. Many people assume bleeding gums are normal or that they brushed too hard. In reality, healthy gums don’t bleed. Bleeding is one of the earliest signs that your body is fighting an infection.
My favorite analogy to use when discussing tooth structure is a tree and its roots. In order for a tree to be strong, the roots need a solid foundation under the ground. The trunk has a thick layer of bark to protect it. The roots are softer and not meant to be exposed to the elements. Your teeth are the same way; enamel protects the crowns of your teeth and the roots are only covered in a thin layer of cementum. Many people will notice the difference once they have recession and their roots are exposed, because their teeth are more sensitive, especially to cold.
To protect the roots, your tooth sits in a socket of bone that is sealed with gum tissue. This seal and the pocket above the seal are what you brush and floss every day. Every tooth passes through the gums before attaching to the bone underneath. When bacteria collect along the gumline, your immune system responds by sending blood and inflammatory cells to the area. The redness, swelling and bleeding you see are signs that your body is trying to eliminate the bacteria.
Unlike a cut on your skin that heals within days, bleeding gums often represent a chronic infection that can persist for months or even years if left untreated. Many people ignore it because it doesn’t hurt. But painless doesn’t mean harmless.
The mouth is one of the few places in the body where inflammation can be seen with your own eyes. When your gums bleed, tiny blood vessels beneath the surface are exposed. This creates an opportunity for bacteria and inflammatory molecules to enter the bloodstream, where they can interact with the rest of the body. What happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth.
Researchers have found strong links between periodontal disease and several chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy complications. While gum disease is not necessarily the cause of these conditions, chronic inflammation appears to be an important connection. Scientists continue to study exactly how oral bacteria and the body’s immune response influence overall health. What we do know already though is that a healthy mouth supports a healthier body. Chronic inflammation can cause some long-term major problems.
The good news is that bleeding gums are often reversible when caught early. Daily brushing, cleaning between your teeth and regular dental visits can eliminate the bacteria causing the inflammation before permanent damage occurs. If your gums bleed every time you brush or floss, don’t stop cleaning them. Bleeding is your body’s way of asking for attention. Professional cleaning or periodontal therapy is likely the answer, and the only way to remove the source of infection.
Katie Pudwill, RDH, Ph.D., is a registered dental hygienist and educator in South Dakota. She teaches periodontics, ethics and jurisprudence, and dental anatomy in the University of South Dakota Department of Dental Hygiene. Katie is passionate about improving oral health through education, prevention and advocacy. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay connected. Our programming includes the medical Q&A show On Call with the Prairie Doc® (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube, and Facebook), along with two podcasts and a weekly radio program (Sundays at 6am and 1pm on SDPB).