Your dentist or hygienist may advise you to treat bleeding gums and bad breath at home by improving your oral hygiene routine, diet and lifestyle habits. Their recommendations will likely include:
Brushing with an antimicrobial fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Using a soft toothbrush and gentle pressure so you don’t irritate your tender gums.
Flossing or using another interdental cleaning tool (e.g. a water flosser or floss sticks) once a day to clean plaque from between the teeth.
Using an alcohol-free, antiseptic mouth rinse at least once a day to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Cutting down on strong-smelling foods and drinks.
Drinking lots of water.
Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables to scrub the teeth clean and stimulate odor-fighting saliva.
Quitting smoking or using tobacco.
Note that if you’re new to flossing, you can expect your gums to bleed a little during the first week or two. However, this is normal and should stop with consistent flossing, so keep at it! Just make sure you’re using a gentle technique to avoid hurting your gum; avoid snapping or sawing at them with the floss.
If these tips don’t help your bleeding gums and bad breath, or you have advanced gum disease, you may need a little extra support from your dentist or hygienist. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, they may recommend:
A professional clean and polish to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth above the gum line.
A more intensive scaling and root planing treatment to clean below the gum line, too.
A pocket reduction surgery, where small flaps of gum tissue are pulled back to give better access for cleaning.
Last but certainly not least, always keep up with your six-monthly dental check-ups. Your dentist or hygienist can help you keep bleeding gums and bad breath at bay with professional cleanings, and they can also spot and treat any gum issues early before they cause long-term problems. Together with your excellent at-home hygiene routine, this will keep your smile healthy and your breath fresh.