If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you’re not alone. It can be a little scary to see pink in the sink, but most of the time there’s something simple you can do about it. At Burnaby South Dental in the Highgate area, we help patients deal with bleeding gums every single day. This guide explains what might be going on, what you can try at home, and when it’s time to see a burnaby dentist (that’s us!).

First: Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore It Either

A one-off spot of blood after you floss for the first time in a while is common. But if your gums bleed often—like most days, or they feel puffy and sore—that’s your body waving a little flag. Bleeding gums are usually a sign of inflammation called gingivitis. If we catch it early, it’s quite easy to turn around. If we ignore it for too long, it can progress to periodontitis (gum disease), which affects the bone that supports your teeth. We definitely don’t want that.

Common Reasons Your Gums Might Bleed

• Plaque buildup: The most typical cause. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that collects along your gumline. It can harden into tartar if not cleaned, and your gums get irritated and bleed.
• Brushing too hard: It sounds weird, but scrubbing your teeth like you’re cleaning grout can actually make gums angry. Soft bristles are your friend.
• Not flossing (or flossing incorrectly): When plaque lives between teeth, gums swell and bleed. Proper flossing helps a lot—like, alot.
• New flossing routine: If you just started flossing again (nice!), mild bleeding for a few days is normal as gums calm down.
• Hormonal shifts: Pregnancy, puberty, and certain medications can make your gums more sensitive and likely to bleed.
• Dry mouth: Saliva protects teeth and gums. If your mouth is dry from meds or mouth breathing, gums might inflame faster.
• Systemic issues: Conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or blood disorders may show up in your gums first. Rare, but important.

If you’re not sure what’s causing it, a quick visit with a dentist near me—like our team at Burnaby South Dental—can help figure it out.

What You Can Do at Home Today

1. Switch to a soft toothbrush
   Use gentle, small circular motions at a 45° angle to the gums. Two minutes, twice a day. Electric brushes can help keep pressure consistent.
2. Floss once a day, the easy way
   Slide the floss down the side of each tooth in a C-shape, then gently under the gumline. Don’t snap it—your gums aren’t a trampoline. If string floss is tough, try floss picks or a water flosser.
3. Rinse with salt water
   A warm salt-water rinse (½ teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water) can soothe puffy gums. Do not swallow (it’s salty, yuck).
4. Hydrate and watch your snacks
   Drinking more water helps your saliva protect your mouth. Sugary snacks and acidic drinks feed the bacteria party on your gums.
5. Check your meds and vitamins
   Some medicines thin the blood or dry your mouth. If you recently started something new, mention it to us. Also, make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin C and K—food first, supplements if needed.
6. Stop smoking/vaping
   Tobacco slows healing and makes gum disease worse. We know it’s hard, but quitting gives your gums a real chance to recover.

If you try these steps for a week or so and the bleeding keeps going, that’s your cue to book an appointment with a high gate dentist you trust.

When to See a Dentist (Sooner Rather Than Later)

• Your gums bleed daily for more than a week.
• You notice bad breath that doesn’t go away, or a bad taste.
• Gums look dark red, swollen, or shiny.
• Teeth feel loose or your bite is changing.
• You have pain when chewing, or your gums are receding.

These are signs gingivitis may be becoming periodontitis. The good news: proper cleaning and care can stabilize things and help you keep your teeth healthy for the long run.

What We Do at Burnaby South Dental

At our high gate dental clinic in Burnaby’s Highgate area, your visit is friendly and straightforward:

1. Conversation & exam
   We’ll ask about your brushing and flossing routine, any health changes, and what you’re noticing. Then we’ll check your gums for bleeding points, swelling, and pocket depths. If needed, we may take x-rays to look at the bone levels around your teeth.
2. Professional cleaning
   A gentle but thorough cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar that brushing can’t reach. When tartar is gone, your gums can finally calm down and heal. If you have deeper buildup, we might recommend scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning) to clean under the gums—done with local numbing to keep you comfy.
3. Personalized home plan
   We’ll show you simple technique tweaks that make a huge difference. Sometimes it’s just the angle of the brush or which floss tool fits your hands best.
4. Follow-up
   If your gums are inflamed, we’ll likely see you a bit sooner next time (every 3–4 months) until things are stable. After that, regular checkups help keep everything on track.

Simple Daily Routine for Happier Gums

• Brush 2×/day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss once a day (even if it’s right before bed when you’re half asleep).
• Rinse with water after snacks or coffee.
• Keep a travel brush or floss in your bag or car. Little habits add up.
• See your burnaby south dentist regularly—cleanings prevent problems, not just fix them.

FAQs About Bleeding Gums

“If my gums bleed when I floss, should I stop flossing?”
Nope. That’s like saying “the room is dusty so I shouldn’t dust.” Gentle daily flossing reduces bleeding over a few days to a couple weeks. If it doesn’t, come see us.

“Do I need mouthwash?”
An alcohol-free antimicrobial rinse can help some people, but it’s not magic. Brushing and flossing are the main players; mouthwash is the bench support.

“Can I brush too hard?”
Yes. Hard brushing can wear enamel and make gums recede. Soft bristles, light pressure, and time (two minutes) do more than scrubbing fast.

“Is bleeding gums always gum disease?”
Not always—new flossing routines, pregnancy, or certain meds can play a role. That said, persistent bleeding is not normal and worth a check.

Why Choose Burnaby South Dental?

We’re right here in the Highgate community, easy to reach and easy to talk to. Patients tell us our team is gentle, we explain things in plain language, and we actually listen. If you searched “dentist near me” and landed here, welcome—let us show you how comfortable dental care can be. Whether you call us your burnaby dentist or your go-to high gate dentist, we’re here to help your gums heal and keep your smile strong.

Ready to Stop the Bleeding?

If your gums are bleeding, don’t wait for it to “just go away.” Small changes at home plus a professional cleaning can turn things around quickly. Contact Burnaby South Dental—your friendly high gate dental clinic in the Highgate area—for an appointment. We’ll check what’s causing the bleeding, clean things up, and give you a simple plan that actually fits your life. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it just needs to be consistent.

Call today to book with a burnaby dentist who cares. Your gums will thank you, and your future self will too—because keeping your teeth for life is absolutely worth it.