Bleeding gums aren’t harmless. They’re usually the first warning sign of gingivitis — the earliest stage of gum disease. When gums bleed, it’s like tiny open doors in your mouth. Those small gaps let bacteria slip directly into your bloodstream, where they don’t just stay local — they spread through your entire body.

If ignored, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious condition where bacteria move deeper under the gums, damage bone and tissue, and leak into the bloodstream.

Decades of research — including large studies published in journals like Circulation and Alzheimer’s Research — confirm the link between gum disease and heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and even dementia.

• Bleeding gums → early inflammation (gingivitis).
  
• If left untreated → bacteria spread deeper (periodontitis).
  
• From there → bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream, fueling chronic inflammation.
  
• Chronic inflammation → damages blood vessels, raising risk of heart problems, stroke, and cognitive decline.
  

In other words: that little bit of blood in the sink could be your body’s way of warning you to act now.

Brushing only cleans surfaces. String floss works if done perfectly, but it’s awkward and often skipped.

That’s why dentists recommend water flossing:

• Easier: One button, one minute a day.
  
• Gentler: Comfortable even for sensitive gums, dentures, or implants.
  
• More Effective: Flushes out up to 99% of plaque and bacteria hiding where gum disease begins.

Protect more than your smile. A water flosser is the simple daily step that helps keep gums healthy — and safeguards your heart, brain, and long-term independence.