Even if your oral hygiene habits are excellent, it’s very likely that you occasionally encounter a little blood after flossing or brushing your teeth. You might think it’s no big deal, but bleeding gums can be an indicator of a more troubling underlying condition. 

Oahu Dental Care, a full service dentist in Pearl City offering everything from root canals to teeth whitening, gives some of the more common causes of bleeding gums:

• It only takes 24-36 hours of poor dental hygiene for gum disease to develop. Step up your oral care regimen with an electric toothbrush; furthermore, be sure to floss every day, and to get regular professional cleanings.
• A bad diet high in processed foods and sugar is just as bad for your teeth as it is for your waistline. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re not suffering from vitamin deficiencies that could result in bleeding gums.
• Just in case you need another reason to quit smoking, the toxins in cigarettes put smokers at a much higher risk for gum disease. 
• Stress can disrupt your immune system, leaving it unable to keep bacteria from getting a foothold in your gums. Try out several stress-reduction techniques, like meditation or exercise, to find out that works for you.

Gum disease is incredibly common. Some estimates put the number of Americans with some form of periodontal disease at as high as 80%. The fact that gum disease leads to a number of other serious diseases is even more alarming. Start taking care of your teeth today by visiting Oahu Dental Care online, or simply call (808) 732-2821 to set up an appointment now.