Bleeding gums are the most common symptom of gum disease. But it can also point to other health problems. Occasional bleeding of the gums can be caused by brushing your teeth too vigorously or wearing dentures that don’t fit correctly. Bleeding gums can be a sign that you have or may develop gum disease. Ongoing gum bleeding may be due to plaque buildup on the teeth.
To reduce and potentially prevent bleeding of the gums massaging the gum tissue can help.
How To:
- To perform gum massage with your fingers, take your index finger and hold it firmly against your gum tissue. Then, move the tip of your finger in a circular motion while sliding it along your gum line for about ten minutes.
Why it Works:
Gum massage increases blood flow to your gum tissue. This increase in blood flow leads to the circulation of even more nutrient-rich blood to gum tissue to help fight gum disease and improve overall gum health.
Blood is filled with oxygen. Many of the bacteria that contribute to gum disease are anaerobic bacteria that thrive in an environment with little to no oxygen.
The additional oxygen supplied to gum tissue during a gingival massage can help kill many of these bacteria. When performed regularly, gum massage can thicken the gum epithelium.
The gum epithelium is the outer layer of gum tissue that helps protect the gums from bacteria that can cause infections.