I Thought My Bleeding Gums When Brushing Were No Big Deal. I Was Wrong

Below is the true story of how one woman, Alex T., 34, from Seattle, WA, went from having poor dental hygiene habits to being extremely proactive about her oral health. If you’ve been noticing blood in the sink (like Alex was in this story) after you brush, visiting your dentist and using parodontax toothpaste, which has been clinically proven to help reduce bleeding gums*¹ , can help you create a healthy oral routine.

Alex’s Story

When I was growing up, I didn’t brush my teeth as much as I should have. We didn’t have a lot of money and at times couldn’t afford to buy dental supplies. I only went for dental checkups every three to four years. All of this set me up for poor dental hygiene in my adult years.

My gums started bleeding when I was in high school and continued through college. Though I brushed my teeth daily, I never flossed. I also very rarely went for dental checkups.

I never paid any attention to my bleeding gums — I blew it off because I thought it was normal. I was bleeding onto my toothbrush when I brushed, so much so that when it mixed with toothpaste, it looked pink. There was also bleeding when I ate. It was never painful, which is probably why I didn’t think anything of it.

I didn’t do anything about my bleeding gums until after college when I got insurance from my workplace. I didn’t expect my visit would be positive, but I welcomed it with open arms. I was excited by the prospect of being able to visit the dentist regularly because I wanted to be healthy.

When I finally saw a dentist, she explained that I had periodontal gum disease; my gums were receding, and my teeth could eventually fall out. I was scared because I did not want to lose my teeth. The treatment consisted of a deep cleaning to remove all the plaque and tartar and allow my gums to heal.

The Road to Improving Alex’s Dental Hygiene

The dentist set me on the right path for oral hygiene. She advised that I brush often and carry a toothbrush and toothpaste around with me. She also told me to floss every day and use mouthwash to rinse.

Thanks to my dentist, I learned how lack of good overall hygiene can cause oral health problems such as decay, gum disease, and possibly even tooth loss. Now I brush twice daily with an electric toothbrush, and floss, use mouthwash, and scrape my tongue in the evening. I also go for dental checkups at least two times a year, one for a regular checkup and one for a deep (if I need it) or regular cleaning. 

My advice for other people is, do not neglect your teeth! You only have one set of teeth, and if you don't take care of it, you'll lose it. Also, disease is not always visible. Get checkups often, and get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year.

¹*When used twice a day