Bleeding gum - stick or twist?

[Judythecat]

Can anyone please help?

I saw my dentist to get fitted for a new mouthguard this week, and she did a quick check of my teeth/gums at the same time because I missed my checkup in April. All fine, but she mentioned I had a bit of inflammation at the very back corner of my lower left wisdom tooth, and to keep an eye on it while brushing. It’s a tricky tooth to get to, so I bought a little baby toothbrush and have been brushing it with that.

To my horror it is now bleeding. I have never had bleeding gums before so it is properly freaking me out! Should I leave it alone? Keep going? I just finished my period which always makes my gums more sensitive, but never actual blood.

Thank you for reading if you did.

 

[Gordon]

Keep going, there will be some localised gingivitis there because of previous plaque build up. Now you're cleaning it properly it'll bleed for a couple more days then stop.

The reason it bleeds is because your body has sensed a localised infection and poured in extra blood cells to deal with it. Thus the area becomes stuffed full of blood and ready to ooze out given any provocation at all.

 

[Judythecat]

Keep going, there will be some localised gingivitis there because of previous plaque build up. Now you're cleaning it properly it'll bleed for a couple more days then stop.

The reason it bleeds is because your body has sensed a localised infection and poured in extra blood cells to deal with it. Thus the area becomes stuffed full of blood and ready to ooze out given any provocation at all.

Thank you so much for that very helpful explanation. I think saliva and water probably make it look like more than it is - it was just on the brush, nothing in the sink - but gosh, it gave me a fright!