Why Do My Gums Hurt When I Brush My Teeth?

Do your gums bleed or hurt every time you brush? This might be a sign of deep-rooted dental issues and will require immediate treatment. It is best to visit the dentist at the earliest to ensure healthy teeth and gums.

Why Do My Gums Hurt? 

There are different causes for bleeding gums or gums that hurt and a few of them are discussed below.

• Brushing Right

Oral hygiene and dental care are important. However, when brushing your teeth gets painful it’s difficult to continue. But if you experience painful, sore, swollen, or even bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, you need to do something about it before it causes major damage to your teeth. Although brushing your teeth roughly may seem like the best way to clean your teeth, however, you are hurting your gums unknowingly.

In some cases, gums hurt when you don’t brush correctly and simply require a change in brushing technique. Whereas others require immediate professional attention. If you are wondering, “Why do my gums feel sore after brushing?”, it may be because of a hard-bristled toothbrush or aggressive brushing, which can also cause gum soreness. Gums are made of tissue and if they are irritated over and over, they can get damaged and sore to the touch.

Therefore, you need to brush correctly with the correct toothbrush.

• Brush gently, using circular motions, and avoid back-and-forth.
• Avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles and get a brush that is soft and has nylon bristles with a small head.
• While flossing your teeth, make sure to work the floss between your gums instead of forcing them onto your gums.

• Gum Disease

If you don’t brush or floss, your teeth can develop plaque along the teeth and gum line. This bacteria will enter deep into the gum tissues and can lead to an infection, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. These bacteria in your mouth can result in mild gum disease, periodontitis, or gingivitis. This can cause pain, sensitivity, soreness, and swollen gums that turn red, inflamed, or even bleed when brushing.

If you are wondering, “Why do my gums hurt and bleed?” It can be a sign of gum disease. This can cause irreversible damage to your gums causing your gums to recede, lose teeth or cause your teeth to fall off. If you have gum disease or the symptoms mentioned above, visit a dentist as soon as possible to get your periodontal treatment. This will ensure you get the right treatment to get back on track to pain-free brushing.

• Canker Sores

Canker sores are small oral wounds that make the tissues of your mouth more sensitive and vulnerable to pain on contact. It is identified with its white center and red edges. It will make your gums tender and sore to the touch, making it hard for you to brush.

Make sure to keep the area affected with sores clean and monitor the healing process. It should go away after two weeks, but if they don’t make sure you visit the dentist immediately. Delaying the treatment will make the condition worse. To alleviate soreness, you can swish your mouth with salt water and make sure to brush it extra gently. Find a mouthwash that doesn’t sting your sores.

• Hormones

Women undergo hormonal changes from puberty to menopause, which can affect their gums. There’s an increase in the blood flow to the gums, which can lead to swelling, sensitivity, redness, and soreness. The change in the hormone levels also affects the way your body reacts to the bacteria. As a result, you are at a higher risk for tooth and sore gums. If your gums hurt when you brush your teeth, you can always visit the dentist to discuss your options

• Diet

Eating and drinking certain acidic foods and drinks can irritate your mouth, which leads to sores. This will increase sensitivity and cause your gums to hurt when you brush. A few examples of acidic foods and drinks include:

• Citrus fruits
• Pickles
• Cranberries
• Tomato based foods
• Coffee
• Wine
• Sugar
• Processed foods

Make sure you limit these items and when you do eat them, make sure you swish your mouth with water or use a good mouthwash. These foods can slowly wear down the soft tissues in the mouth, and they may begin to ache. If you have a deficiency in vitamin B or C, it can also heighten sensitivity and pain.

• Braces, Retainers, Mouth Guards & Dentures

If you wear braces, retainers, mouth guards, or dentures, they can lead to soreness and gum pain. These oral devices pull or rub against the gumline, creating cuts or abrasions that make gums sore and painful. Once these gums are irritated they will flare up during brushing. If these devices cause sensitivity, pain, and irritation, make sure to visit a dentist or an orthodontist to discuss your options.

• Chemotherapy

One of the side effects of chemotherapy is pain, swelling, or bleeding gums. This is because the radiation used in chemotherapy impacts both malignant and benign tissues. There’s also a high chance of developing stomatitis, which will lead to sores and ulcers.

Gum Pain And Soreness Prevention

The best way to treat gum sensitivity or pain is by visiting the dentist to ensure there are no underlying oral or health issues. To prevent gum disease or pain, brush your teeth well and maintain optimal oral hygiene. If you are experiencing gum pain and soreness, you can do a gentle massage to your gums from the outside of your mouth, which will help you feel better. If the pain continues, make sure to visit your dentist.