Lately I've noticed my gums getting kinda sensitive and sometimes even bleeding a bit when I brush. I switched to a softer toothbrush and started flossing more regularly (I admit, I was kinda lazy about it before, lol). It seems to help a little but still not totally better. Wondering if anyone else has had something similar happen and found anything that actually worked long-term?
"I switched to a softer toothbrush and started flossing more regularly (I admit, I was kinda lazy about it before, lol). It seems to help a little but still not totally better."
Totally get where you're coming from... my gums used to do the exact same thing. Honestly, switching to a softer brush was a good move—definitely helped me too—but it took a while before things really settled down. I remember freaking out a bit and googling stuff (bad idea, lol), but eventually my dentist told me it's pretty common if you've been slacking on flossing for a while. She recommended rinsing with warm salt water once or twice a day for about a week, and that seemed to calm things down quite a bit. Still, I'd say if it doesn't clear up soonish or gets worse, maybe check in with your dentist just to be safe? Bleeding gums can sometimes signal other stuff going on... better safe than sorry, right? Hang in there though, sounds like you're already doing all the right things!
Switching brushes definitely helps, but have you checked your toothpaste too? I noticed certain whitening toothpastes made my gums way more sensitive and irritated. When I swapped to something gentler (like a basic fluoride paste without all the extra whitening stuff), things improved noticeably. Could be worth experimenting with that if you're still having issues... Have you tried changing toothpastes at all?
I've thought about switching toothpaste, but aren't the gentler ones usually pricier? I'm kinda hesitant to spend extra if it doesn't actually help... Has anyone found a budget-friendly brand that's easy on sensitive gums?
