9 Causes of Bleeding Gums When You Brush Your Teeth

You have poor oral hygiene habits

Brushing too hard, not brushing at all, forgetting to floss—if you’re not committed to a regular and careful oral hygiene routine, you could suffer from bleeding gums. “The gums are a fairly soft tissue. If you traumatize them with a hard bristle toothbrush, you can make them swell and bleed,” says Doig. Soft bristle toothbrushes provide a gentler cleaning option for gums and teeth, but if you forget to brush, the type of toothbrush that you use won’t matter. “The number one cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of plaque. I recommend that people brush their teeth at least twice a day (morning and bedtime), and floss daily,” says Doig. This practice will remove both the plaque and any food debris left behind in your mouth after eating. “Bacteria in the plaque uses the food debris to produce acids that can affect both the gums and teeth,” explains Doig