It's very alarming to see blood while you are brushing your teeth. While gums that bleed are common, it is a problem that you should deal with before it gets worse by turning into gum disease. Do not wait until your next dental checkup to bring it up with your dentist, because you should try these 5 tips to deal with the problem early on.

Do Not Brush Hard

A leading cause of bleeding gums is brushing incorrectly. There is a misconception that brushing hard means that you are getting your teeth cleaner than they normally would with light brushing. That is not true. Proper brushing is more about the motion and areas that you brush.

You will want to use gentle circular motions from top to bottom of your teeth, eventually overlapping with your gum line a little bit. This will help stimulate your gums, and get rid of the plaque that could be forming where you can't see it. Divide your mouth up into four sections, and work on each side for about 30 seconds to ensure you are giving your teeth the proper amount of attention.

Floss Every Day

Food that is stuck between your teeth will gradually aggravate your gums, because as the foot starts to rot it will cause plaque to build up. The simple solution is to try to floss after every single meal. At the very least, floss once each day at the very end of the day to help keep these hard to reach spaces clean.

Stop Smoking Cigarettes

Smoking is a leading cause of cancer of the mouth, and it will eventually deteriorate your gums and throat as you continue to smoke. If you stop smoking, it will reduce the inflammation in your gums, allowing the blood flow to return. This will help the bleeding process slow down or stop entirely.

Avoid Mouthwashes With Alcohol

The best way to rinse your mouth if your gums bleed is by using salt water. Mouthwashes can dry your mouth out if they contain alcohol, so it is best to stick to an all-natural remedy.

Eat A Proper Diet

Sugars and carbohydrates cause plaque to thrive. Eating a proper diet that limits snacking will reduce the carbohydrates that pass over your teeth. Eating cheese actually promotes saliva in your mouth, which clears away the acids that are generated by bacteria.

Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to treating your bleeding gums. If the problem continues, seek help from a local dental clinic, such as the Family Dental Center TriCities, PC.