Proper dental care and brushing your teeth at least twice daily is important.
But when brushing your teeth is painful, it becomes something you can’t easily motivate yourself to do. If you experience painful, sore, swollen or even bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, you need to do something about it before your dental health suffers.
Find out why your teeth or gums hurt when you brush your teeth. Some instances simply require a change in brushing technique, while others require professional attention.
Luckily professional dental services can be affordable with dental insurance, so definitely make sure you are insured so you don’t pay out of pocket!!
Almost half of Americans have some form of gum disease. That’s a lot, especially for a disease that’s preventable.
Gingivitis, mild gum disease, and periodontitis, a severe gum disease, can cause your gums to swell, feel tender, and turn red. This can lead to sensitivity, pain and soreness when you brush your teeth.
If you suspect you might have gum disease, find a dentist! They’ll be able to diagnose your situation and provide the right treatment to get you back on track. Guardian Direct offers affordable dental insurance plans to help cover the cost of those dentist trips (they are usually pretty expensive), so make sure you have coverage before you go!
Sometimes the root of tooth pain is right under your nose — literally.
If you brush your teeth too vigorously or use a toothbrush with hard bristles, that could be what’s causing gum soreness.
Your gums are made of tissue, so when they are irritated over and over, the tissue can become damaged and sore to the touch.
Brush gently, using circular motions instead of back-and-forth. Ditch your toothbrush with hard bristles and buy one that has soft, nylon bristles. Soft bristles will be easier on your gums.
A trip to the dentist can be expensive, so make sure you have dental insurance to help cover your cost! Companies like Guardian Direct offer plans that start at $20 per month.
Though the cause of canker sores is still unknown, one thing’s for sure: They can cause a lot of pain and irritation. Canker sores, or ulcers, can be identified by their white center with red edges. You could have just one or several at a single time.
Canker sores may cause your gums to be tender and sore to the touch, and it can make brushing your teeth extremely unappealing.
Gargle with salt water to help alleviate soreness, and brush your teeth extra gently. Try to find a mouthwash that doesn’t sting your ulcers.
Hormonal changes in women — pregnancy, menstruation, puberty and menopause — can have an unexpected effect on your gums.
These changing hormone levels also change the way your body reacts to bacteria in your mouth. As a result, gum disease and tooth decay are more likely — thus, so are sore gums.
If your gums hurt when you brush your teeth because of hormones, see your dentist to discuss your options.
Eating and drinking acidic food and drink can cause irritation to your mouth and possibly cause sores. Some examples of acidic food and drink include:
- Citrus fruits and juice: orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, etc.
- Pickles
- Cranberries
- Tomato products
- Coffee
- Wine
- Grains
- Sugar
- Processed foods
It’s best to limit your consumption of these items. But when you do eat acidic foods, rinse with water — better yet, mouthwash — afterward.
Braces, retainers, mouth guards, dentures
One of the few very visible sources of gum pain and soreness could be braces, retainers, dentures or mouth guards. The constant tugging, pulling and rubbing against the gums can cause them to become sore and painful over time. This can affect how your gums feel when you brush your teeth.
If this sounds like you, see your orthodontist or dentist to discuss your options.
One of the potential side effects of chemotherapy is painful, swollen or bleeding gums. Chemo patients are also more likely to develop stomatitis, which leads to sores and ulcers.
If this describes your situation, talk to your doctor about how chemotherapy is affecting your body.
Preventing gum pain, soreness, and bleeding
In some cases, a gentle massage to the gums from the outside of your mouth can help your gums feel better.
But, the best way to treat gum sensitivity is through prevention. Brush twice daily and after every meal, floss, use mouthwash, and see your dentist regularly. If you have concerns about your current dental insurance coverage, it is important to review your policy.
At Insider Envy we only promote products we love. We participate in a small number of affiliate programs, meaning we may receive compensation when you buy items after clicking a link on Insider Envy. We appreciate your support!
DTC GLIC, LLC., (d/b/a DTC GLIC Insurance Sales, LLC in California) is the agent for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries (“Guardian”) for all products underwritten and issued by Guardian and certain third-party insurers through guardiandirect.com. DTC GLIC, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and is a licensed agent for life, accident, and health insurance products.
2022-144630